Society

Clinton and Lipstadt: Combating Antisemitism
Secretary Hillary Clinton and Special Envoy Deborah Lipstadt sat down with Atlantik-Brücke CEO Julia Friedlander on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference 2024 to discuss the sources of contemporary antisemitism.
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New Publication: Current Study on the State of Transatlantic Relations
The results of our current study show that socio-demographic characteristics are decisive for participation in the transatlantic dialog in the USA and Germany.
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The Ukraine war as a signal test of democracies’ commitment of confronting the authoritarian tide
Steven Feldstein from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace describes the current threat situation for human rights on a global scale.
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The Great American Con
Political scientist Carl Luna describes how the demise of the Great American Dream has been exploited by populist politicians.
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The priorities of Germany’s new government
John B. Emerson and Sigmar Gabriel analyze the domestic and foreign policy priorities of Germany's new federal government, the so-called traffic light coalition.
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Changing Views of and in the United States
Jacob Poushter, Pew Research Center, explains the latest polling data on the U.S. image abroad, troop withdrawal in Afghanistan, and President Biden's approval ratings at home.
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Election Readout 2021
Journalists, Scholars and Politicians comment on the implications of the outcome of the German elections.
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Germany, the US, and the Future of Democracy
In this series, Anne Applebaum, Daniel Ziblatt and Jan-Werner Müller discuss current challenges to democracy.
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Can President Biden Unify America?
Isabel Sawhill takes a closer look at President Biden's promise to unify the country, to help middle and working class Americans and to address racial gaps.
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America’s Image Abroad
For the release of Pew Research's new survey on America's image abroad, we spoke to Richard Wike, Director of Global Attitudes Research.
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President Biden and the 117th Congress
A.B. Stoddard, RealClearPolitics, and Bob Cusack, The Hill, share their expectations for the Biden-Harris administration.
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President Biden and the 117th Congress: Journalists’ Perspectives on What to Expect
In the first event of the series “Voices on the first six months of the new U.S. Administration” Bob Cusack, The Hill, and A.B. Stoddard, RealClear Politics, debated opportunities and challenges shaping the current political landscape.
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“Maybe We’ll See a Realignment”
Former Senator Barbara Boxer spoke with journalist Marie-Astrid Langer, NZZ, about the high levels of polarization in the US, the future of the two-party-system and the question of whether President Biden will succeed at unifying the nation. Boxer, who looks back at a decades-long political career, gives deep insights into what is happening in Washington.
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A Trust Crisis? The Edelman Trust Barometer 2021
Together with Edelman Germany, Atlantik-Brücke presented the results of the Edelman Trust Barometer 2021 for Germany.
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“Being the opposition party will help unify Republicans”
The pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson on a changed Republican Party after four years of Trump.
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Research Strategies against Pandemics
The global COVID-pandemic demonstrates the critical importance of better understanding the human immune system. Wayne Koff, CEO of the Human Vaccines Project and Anja Langenbucher, Director Europe of the Gates Foundation, discuss this and other questions.
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All Eyes on the US – Implications of the Georgia Election
John Barrow and Phil Gingrey, both former Members of Congress from Georgia, discuss the outcome of the elections in their home state.
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U.S. Election Debrief
Former members of Congress Jim Blanchard (D-Michigan), Carlos Curbelo (R-Florida), Charlie Dent (R-Pennsylvania) and Karan English (D-Arizona) discuss the election results.
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“Changing Demographics: Diversity in the United States and Germany”
Our panel on changing demographics discussed the challenges and opportunities a changing society presents for transatlantic relations.
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Michigan, Wisconsin, and the Presidential Election
The second and third stops of our Battleground Tour were Michigan and Wisconsin. Our guests: Garlin Gilchrist, Lt. Governor of Michigan, and Rep. Mark Pocan, (D-Wisconsin).
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American Democracy in Crisis?
Daniel Ziblatt and Donald Wise discuss the state of American democracy and the impact of polarization.
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A Pollster’s Analysis on the U.S. Election
Four leading American pollsters give us their take on the upcoming election, moderated by former Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty.
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The Republican Strategy for November
This fall's elections will determine whether US politics will be about socio-economic issues or identity politics, writes Mike Gonzalez of the Heritage Foundation.
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U.S. Corona Relief: Donate Now!
The US and Germany are friends and partners, regardless of any political tensions. That's why we have teamed up with Save the Children to help those in need.
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A Conversation on Racism and Police Brutality in the U.S.
What does the death of George Floyd reveal about the structures of the American police force? Will the protests change American society? Imani Perry, Kirsten West Savali, LaSean Knox-Brown and Jan-Philipp Burgard discuss these questions.
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Demographics and the U.S. Presidential Election of 2020
Which groups of voters will the successful candidate have to win over this November? An analysis by John Halpin and Ruy Teixeira of the Center for American Progress provides insight into the demographic factors that will determine the election.
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“The coronavirus will test the president like no other crisis to date“
Peter Rough of the conservative Hudson Institute talks about the Democratic primaries, the chances of the candidates in the November election and the biggest challenge for President Trump.
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“The Confucian and the libertarian world view need to learn from each other”
In this interview, Lord Green looks at the impact of modernization and urbanization on our societies - East and West. He stresses the importance of looking at the human experience across cultures, and the necessity of learning from each other.
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The Untold Story
Young Leaders Alumna Karoline Klose talks about why, after ten years in international development work, she was suddenly no longer able to continue - and why there needs to be a change in the way trauma is addressed.
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“To this day, many of us still wrestle with excruciating pain“
David Harris, CEO of the AJC, on anti-Semitism today, Europe's role in the Middle East, and the enduring anger about the Holocaust.
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“El Paso is a shining example of the goodness that comes with choosing to care”
In 2019 El Paso, Texas became the site of the deadliest anti-Latino massacre in recent U.S. history. In Atlantik-Brücke’s Transatlantic Call Congresswoman Veronica Escobar speaks about the difficulties in dealing with the attack.
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“The government should not declare what is hate speech”
James Kirchick, policy expert, author and columnist, calls for the precedence of freedom of speech over state interventions in public discourse.
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“We want to defend our way of life”
What are Western vlaues, and do they still connect Germany and the United States today? We spoke to a diverse group of Germans and Americans. Among them: Richard Haass, President of the CFR, Omid Nouripour, Foreign Policy Spokesperson for the Green Party, German Ambassador to the US Emily Haber and State Secretary Sawsan Chebli.
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Domestic instability and uncertainty with the U.S. may propel Canada closer to Europe
Renowned pollster Nik Nanos states that Canada stands at a historic milestone after the federal elections.
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Two perspectives on impeachment and northern Syria
Peter Rough of the Hudson Institute and Michael Werz of the Center for American Progress share their views on a potential impeachment against President Donald Trump.
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“Our freedoms have not come out of nowhere”
What do people from both sides of the Atlantic associate with the term freedom? How important is freedom for each and every individual, what does it mean for our societies? Are we ready to stand up for our own freedom and that of others? We have asked politicians, artists and entrepreneurs from both sides of the Atlantic to talk to us about their views.
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“The government hasn’t constructed new stretches of fencing”
Blas Nuñez-Neto regards the humanitarian crisis on the U.S.-Mexican border as the most pressing challenge of the current American immigration policy. The Senior Policy Researcher at RAND Corporation discusses in an Atlantik-Brücke Transatlantic Call President Trump's plans of building a wall, his debate with Congress, and the value of migration.
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Two Takes on the Presidential Race
Peter Rough of the conservative Hudson Institute and Michael Werz of the Democratic Center for American Progress share their views on the most important issues of the upcoming elections.
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In conversation with true Atlanticists Friedrich Merz and Ambassador John Emerson
Atlantik-Brücke’s Chairman and the former U.S. Ambassador to Germany and current Chairman of the American Council on Germany look back and ahead.
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“At the tip of the iceberg with regard to disinformation”
Alina Polyakova, David M. Rubenstein Fellow at the Brookings Institution, regards the USA and Europe as inappropriately prepared for the threat posed by Deep Fakes.
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“The shutdown was a tactical misstep by the President”
Jamie Fly talked to members and Young Leaders of Atlantik-Brücke about the new political power relations in Washington. At a dinner discussion in Berlin, the Senior Fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) highlighted the domestic and foreign policy implications of the midterm elections and the partial government shutdown.
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“The most important election in modern American history”
Dr. Charles Kupchan, Professor of International Affairs at Georgetown University, regards the Midterm Elections as a referendum on President Trump’s tenure.
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Split governance: what to anticipate from the US midterm elections
America’s economy is skyrocketing under the administration of president Trump. Despite current trends, historical reasons indicate an open outcome in the upcoming elections.
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On The Record
In our first episode of "On the Record", we talk to Julianne (“Julie”) Smith, former Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden. Shortly before the Midterm elections, she speaks about the discontent of many Americans with the elites in Washington, about President Trump's foreign policy and the future of NATO.
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The media is its own worst enemy
President Trump regularly attacks the media. By going into counter-attack-mode, the press has reinforced the impression of a mainstream media bias, argues Peter Rough.
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„When you are destroying alliances you are going to be left behind“
The three US college students Sophie al Mutawaly, Samuel Rahlke and Krister Lansing discuss the state of transatlantic relations with Atlantik-Brücke.
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“Healthy skepticism is a good thing”
Tanit Koch talks about "fake news" and what journalism can do to stay relevant in our interview.
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Digitalization of political discourse and its threat to democracy
Andrea Römmele looks at the way social media and digital outlets influence communication, and, in the long run, democracy.
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“Germany has to be tougher”
Interview with Edward Luce on reestablishing trust in democratic institutions and transatlantic cooperation in the era of Trump.
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Understanding the Russia Investigation
Max Bergman gives insights into the current state of the investigation and expresses his conviction that ultimately, the strength of the U.S.' democratic institutions will prevail.
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Lost in Translation
Peter Rough urges Europeans to expand their view of America past their indignation over presidential tweets.
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President Trump: One Year Later
By Eric Ham. U.S. President Donald Trump's improbable rise to the White House caught many by surprise. Since taking the oath of office, his Administration has been anything but smooth. Yet through it all, the former real-estate tycoon and reality television star continues to reshape Washington and the geo-political landscape issue-by-issue; challenge-by-challenge; crisis-by-crisis.
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“What is Populism?” An Analysis by Francis Fukuyama
In an analysis written exclusively for Atlantik-Brücke, political scientist Francis Fukuyama examines a phenomenon that is of global significance: populism.
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“The president is more at home in an autocratic framework” – Interview with Roger Cohen, New York Times
Roger Cohen, NY Times, speaks President Trump's autocratic tendencies, in American society and mistrust in the media.
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The “New South”, New Skills, and Old Alliances
Over the course of six days, the Atlantik-Brücke delegation traveled to the United States and met with a diverse group of politicians, CEOs, journalists, academics, and others, in Charlotte, North Carolina and Washington, DC.
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Howard Dean: “That is not what America looks like”
Howard Dean, one of the Democrat's 2004 presidential canidates, speaks in this interview about the United States under President Trump.
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Delegation Trip to San Francisco and Silicon Valley
San Francisco was at the heart of this spring’s Atlantik-Brücke delegation trip to the USA. Located in the Bay Area to the North of Silicon Valley, San Francisco has become a rival to traditional tech boom-centers like Palo Alto, Cupertino, and Menlo Park. Many of the young employees working in the Valley’s tech businesses prefer […]
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Study Trip for Social Studies Teachers 2013
From November 30 to December 8, 2013, fifteen teachers from Southern California participated in a study trip through Germany at the invitation of Atlantik-Brücke. The group visited Hamburg, Berlin, and Leipzig. Every year the Atlantik-Brücke invites a group of American social studies, German, and history teachers to participate in a week-long study trip to Germany. […]
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Study Trip for Social Studies Teachers 2014
Every year the Atlantik-Brücke invites a group of American teachers to participate in a week-long study trip to Germany. During this year’s trip from June 22 to 29, teachers from Texas and Oklahoma travelled to Frankfurt, Cologne, Bonn and Berlin. During their short, yet intensive stay in Germany the teachers got to know high-ranking leaders […]
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Study Trip for Social Studies Teachers 2015
Once a year, Atlantik-Bruecke invites a group of American social studies, history and German teachers to participate in a week-long study trip through Germany to get a comprehensive picture and understanding of the country. The different parts of the trip are carefully chosen by Atlantik-Bruecke and take the teachers to German schools, small and corporate […]
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Study Trip for Social Studies Teachers 2016
„It will take me the rest of the summer to process and fully understand the impact upon my teaching.” Kristin Schnerer, World Studies teacher, Start High School, Toledo, Ohio Fifteen American social studies and history teachers participated in this year’s study trip to Germany. From June 5-12, the teachers from Ohio travelled from Munich and […]
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The EU Foreign Policy in the 21st Century: Visions, Ambitions, Realities
Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, was not afraid to speak his mind regarding the European Union’s foreign policy during his talk on February 25 in Berlin. During his speech in front of over 100 guests at a joint event hosted by Atlantik-Bruecke, the Daimler Corporation and the German Council on Foreign Relations, the […]
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„Serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Germany has been the honor of my life“
With a festive dinner, 200 members and guests bid US-Ambassador John B. Emerson farewell on January 18. The Ambassador adressed the guests with a moving farewell speech: “Thank you, Tom Buhrow.  And Friedrich, once again thank you for that warm welcome.  And I say “once again” because, in addition to the many times you and […]
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“Europe matters, this relationship matters” – a conversation with Robert Kagan, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Atlantik-Brücke held a lunch discussion at Hotel Bayerischer Hof on February 19, 2017. Dr. Robert Kagan, Senior Fellow Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution, spoke on “The Democratic World Order Under Siege”. He expressed concerns that the current world order was coming increasingly under pressure. In his […]
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Alec Ross: “Name and Shame the Purveyors of Propaganda”
How can we stop extremist narratives spreading through the internet? Alec Ross argues that social media platforms, too, are responsible for publicly identifying the protagonists of propaganda. Ross, who is currently running for Governor of Maryland, also explains how Germany can prepare itself for Russian cyber attacks on the upcoming general election in this interview […]
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Discussion of the Election Results with the Vice President of the Bundestag
The strong election results of the AfD and the poor results of the big established parties, the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Social Democrats (SPD), were the main topics of a discussion with Edelgard Bulmahn, Vice-President of the German Bundestag. The 25 Young Leaders alumni attending the event in Berlin on Monday were concerned about […]
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“Working shoulder to shoulder” – Interview with Canadian Ambassador Stéphane Dion
The Honorable Stéphane Dion, Canadian Ambassador to Germany and Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe, speaks about the German elections, transatlantic cooperation, immigration and integration and CETA. The most pressing issue on the table right now for Germany is the outcome of the elections. What has been the feedback in Canada to the […]
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“Society is more open than ever before for completely new ideas”
Interview with Albert Wenger, Partner, Union Square Ventures and Hans Raffauf, Co-Founder & COO, Clue Mr. Wenger, you are originally from Germany, went to the US to study computer science, founded a company and now you are an investor. Is it still necessary today to cross the Atlantic or can someone follow the same path […]
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America and Europe can only succeed together – An appeal for transatlantic cooperation by Atlantik-Bruecke
A shorter version of this appeal was published in the print version of the German daily WELT on February 12, 2017, and on February 15 on »WELT online In his inaugural speech, President Donald Trump emphasized that he does not want to dwell on the past. He only wants to look ahead now. And he feels […]
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For Blue Collar Workers in the United States, Donald Trump’s Victory is Personal
By Nelson D. Schwartz For nearly a quarter of a century Robin Maynard has worked at the Carrier plant in Indianapolis, Indiana, building furnaces and creating a middle-class life for himself and his family. Indeed, Mr. Maynard’s hourly salary of $24 was enough to put his two eldest children through college, and he had high […]
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The New North America
By Dr. Michael Werz, Center for American Progress, Washington, D.C. In two months a bridge will be completed connecting San Diego in Southern California to Tijuana, Mexico. At first sight, this may not seem like a big deal – the most important border inspection post in the world withover 150,000 travelers a day has been […]
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