American-German Institute

There is less than one week to apply for spring internships! Join our team and pursue transatlantic research, support programs and events, and learn how a think tank operates: americangerman.institute/job/internsh...

Israel’s election on October 27 will shape the country’s relations with European partners. For eastern Germany, it exposes divisions and challenges for a region that has had to rebuild its relationship to Israel and its own Jewish history: americangerman.institute/2026/10/from...

MAGA–AfD ties are instrumentally driven but structurally constrained. Yet, they turn Germany into a battleground over who gets to define democracy—with the German government and the Trump administration finding themselves on opposing sides. My latest for the @amgerinst.bsky.social

In a new publication, DAAD/AGI Research Fellow @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social maps the ties between AfD politicians and MAGA policymakers and how these networks are complicating and testing the transatlantic partnership: americangerman.institute/publication/...

After a quiet summer, members of the AfD have renewed visits to the United States. Read about visits from Beatrix von Storch and Marc Bernhard that have engaged Republican networks in the US: americangerman.institute/2026/10/the-...

Countries are reorienting economic policies to ensure resilience. Watch our latest webinar on how the US and EU are managing this shift, where they can and should work together, and how they can integrate climate protection into economic security policy: americangerman.institute/video/climat...

Great discussion on changing nature of international trade arrangements, future of US and EU policies, and areas of potential commonality and friction. Watch, and hear views from the EU's top trade enforcement official, former Asst. USTR, and leading experts in GER, EU, USA! @amgerinst.bsky.social

"Maintaining the firewall is not going to change attitudes of voters who have already decided the AfD represents their interests. But it can be important to keep out policy and eventually normalization of parties deemed right wing extremists." americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

Did you miss our latest webinar? Watch "Climate, Economic Security, and the Global Trading System" now, part of a major project on Transatlantic Climate Policy and Economic Security supported by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation: americangerman.institute/video/climat...

In a new podcast episode, @hannahalarian.bsky.social discusses what issues and narratives are drawing voters to the AfD, if centrist parties can win voters back, and how effective the mainstream’s “firewall” approach (the Brandmauer) is as a strategy: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

Apply by November 1 for a spring internship at AGI! Interns research issues on transatlantic relations with fellows and staff, write articles for the AGI website, support events, and are introduced to all aspects of a nonprofit think tank. Learn more: americangerman.institute/job/internsh...

Merz is seeking to reduce the impact of global turbulence on Germany, but the solutions could be painful and therefore vulnerable to populist attacks. Alexander Privitera examines the ways the AfD is already constraining German domestic and European policy: americangerman.institute/2026/10/merz...

This week, we were pleased to partner with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung-USA to host a discussion with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Chair Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on Germany's growing role in NATO, defense-industrial cooperation and support for Ukraine.

Centrist parties are losing support everywhere, but the CDU's performance is especially bad in eastern Germany. The most common explanation is loss of credibility on migration, but Tim Eydelnant writes that there is more to the story: americangerman.institute/2026/10/afte...

Germany's oldest party continues to slide in nationwide polls, and working-class voters are defecting to the Alternative for Germany. Ian Hoerr explains the SPD's forfeiture of issue ownership over social policies and how it can revitalize its base: americangerman.institute/2026/10/the-...

AGI is pleased to welcome Dr. Martin Thunert as a DAAD/AGI Research Fellow in fall 2026. At AGI, he will examine Canada's emergence as a strategic partner for Germany and the EU and how the United States views this emerging axis: americangerman.institute/2026/10/mart...

Support for Germany's two major centrist parties, the CDU and SPD, have declined dramatically since the 1970s. Joern Quitzau examines the cause of this shift and how mainstream parties can counter voter dissatisfaction: americangerman.institute/2026/10/on-t...

How can the US and the EU spearhead a cooperative strategy on climate and economic security that can attract other like-minded countries? Join AGI's webinar on October 14 for a discussion on Climate, Economic Security, and the Global Trading System: americangerman.institute/events/2026/...

"Merz's biggest danger this fall will be passing the budget... If you go back to previous government collapses before the end of a term, the budget is often an important element in that." Listen to the latest podcast on Merz's future after state elections: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

Characterizing the fall state elections in Germany as simply a victory of extremes misses the point. @terezaanovotna.bsky.social writes that they carry a double warning to the establishment parties to listen to voters: americangerman.institute/2026/09/berl...

How are populists turning nostalgia into political gain? Watch our webinar with DAAD/AGI Fellow Simon Morris-Lange on this mobilization tactic and the voters with whom it resonates: americangerman.institute/video/sellin...

What is the significance of state elections in Germany? More to the point, how could Merz’s rededication to the domestic agenda and the struggle for reforms at home affect Germany’s foreign policy engagement? My thoughts in @foreignpolicy.com 👇🏻 foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/24/g...

Regional elections in Germany saw successes for the far-right and far-left and “disaster” for the mainstream parties. A new podcast episode dives into local and federal implications, especially for the Christian Democrats and Chancellor Friedrich Merz: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

In a new Wider Atlantic blog, Peter Rashish argues that the stepped-up, building block strategy for cooperation announced between Canada and the EU in the #SOTEU last week could be the new norm in the fragmenting global economy: americangerman.institute/2026/09/cana...

"I don't want to leave national pride to the wrong people," Jürgen Klopp said last week. Tim Eydelnant writes that Klopp's intervention is especially important now, as questions of identity and national culture are at the center of political debate. americangerman.institute/2026/09/one-...

1/2 Very happy to contribute to this publication with my chapter “Navigating Between Giants” 🇰🇷 ↔️🇺🇸🇨🇳 Many thanks to @zsuzsettte.bsky.social & @isdp-sweden.bsky.social for our great cooperation! No better place to ponder such questions than @amgerinst.bsky.social in DC where I’m currently a Fellow👇

The populist right AfD made significant gains in recent state elections and came in first place in Saxony-Anhalt. @cflynnmartino.bsky.social was in Magdeburg during the election; she encountered a population demanding change from their elected officials: americangerman.institute/2026/09/chan...

Ahead of tomorrow's state elections, listen to our podcast on the political dynamics in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and what an AfD victory could mean there: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

Poor results in regional elections has put pressure on Chancellor Merz. Stephen Szabo argues that the focus on the AfD's success in Saxony-Anhalt risks amplifying fringe politicians while undermining those who are trying address Germany's real problems: americangerman.institute/2026/09/the-...

OK - great new episode of The Zeitgeist with Samina Sultan on the plummeting German FDI in the US and the other way 'round. And: new, original theme music courtesy of The Bantams! Check it out! 👇

Investment is the backbone of transatlantic trade, but foreign direct investment between the US & Germany fell in both directions in the past year. A new podcast episode explores short- and long-term trends in the transatlantic economic relationship: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

The German pharmaceutical industry must balance competing economic and health policy objectives as well as a transforming global structure of pharmaceutical supply and value chains due to changing U.S. policy, writes Jasmina Kirchhoff: americangerman.institute/2026/09/new-...

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner is not running for reelection on Sunday, but controversies in his term could impact the CDU's success in the elections. Halle Foundation/AGI Intern Zara Khan profiles the outgoing mayor: americangerman.institute/2026/09/agi-...

AGI President @jeffrathke.bsky.social spoke to @washingtonsun.bsky.social about the future of the transatlantic defense relationship in light of Russia's increased threat: www.washingtonsun.com/security-exp...

Watch our webinar with @mlewandowsky.bsky.social analyzing the results of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD won over 40 percent of the vote. He analyzes what motivates AfD voters and the wider European context of far-right support: americangerman.institute/video/rechts...

AGI is pleased to welcome Dr. Tereza Novotná as a DAAD/AGI Research Fellow. Her research at AGI examines the prospects for renewed U.S.–North Korean diplomacy and the roles that South Korea and Europe can play in shaping it. Read more about her fellowship: americangerman.institute/2026/09/tere...

"If Germany’s democratic center wants to win these voters back, it first has to understand why so many concluded that the established political order no longer speaks for them," Tim Eydelnant writes of the Saxony-Anhalt elections: americangerman.institute/2026/09/the-...

After the AfD's first-place finish in Saxony-Anhalt, Eric Langenbacher spoke to DW News about the party's transatlantic connections, as well as how the AfD could impact Germany's foreign policy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LF2...

"If the AfD form a government, the whole domestic debate would focus on this and dominate the agenda. Any issue would be now under an AfD-like spell." Ahead of Sunday's election, listen to our podcast on wider implications of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

Young people in eastern Germany never experienced the GDR dictatorship, but they are increasingly supporting a party that has mobilized "Ostalgie." Before the elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Tim Eydelnant examines the AfD, identity, and memory in eastern Germany: americangerman.institute/2026/09/he-i...

In Chancellor Merz's cabinet, Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer advocates for less bureaucracy and the interests of farmers. Halle Foundation/AGI Intern William Wolgemuth profiled the former butcher and his plans to sustainably ensure food security: americangerman.institute/2026/09/agi-...

"There is solidarity, and there is still reason to believe that a brighter, safer future is possible when we stand together." In @sandiegouniontribune.com, Tyler Renner reflects on #agiLGBTQexchange and what connects LGBTQ+ communities globally: www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/08/28/o...

After years of stagnation, the Merz government is addressing needed economic reforms. Holger Schmieding writes that the reforms, while serious and potentially unpopular, could be worth it in the long-term, leading to an economic mini-boom: americangerman.institute/2026/08/germ...

If you missed DAAD/AGI Fellow @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social's webinar on cooperation between MAGA and the AfD, you can now watch it online: americangerman.institute/video/the-li...

In 2019, Gary Sternberg discovered that Stolpersteine honoring his parents had been placed in front of his childhood home. On a whim, he decided to contact the residents of the house. What followed was an unlikely friendship across an ocean: americangerman.institute/2026/08/dear...

Germany's government is facing a low national mood and challenges at the domestic and international level. Ahead of decisive regional elections in September, a new podcast examines the state of German politics and the diverse pressures on the government: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

Ulrich Siegmund wants to be the AfD's first minister-president; Der Spiegel has called him "the most dangerous man in Germany." Halle Foundation/AGI Intern Jake Gamble profiled the party's top candidate in the September 6 elections: americangerman.institute/2026/02/agi-...

On Sept 6, voters in Saxony-Anhalt will elect a new state government, & it is possible that the far-right AfD could form a state government. Join AGI on Sept 8 for a webinar with @mlewandowsky.bsky.social analyzing the results and what they mean for Germany: americangerman.institute/events/2026/...

"In Saxony-Anhalt, about 1/3 of the population and in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern less than 25% are satisfied with democracy in Germany. These are people who tend to vote for the AfD." Revisit our podcast with Wolfgang Muno on the state elections and the AfD: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

What do MAGA-AfD ties reveal about the changing transatlantic relationship? Join AGI and DAAD Research Fellow @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social on August 26 for a webinar on the evolution of this ideological network and how it interacts with traditional diplomacy: americangerman.institute/events/2026/...