Sub-Featured
Continuing to Build Bridges
This year's cohort of the program New Bridge to the U.S. reports on their experiences during their study trip to the USA. After the kick-off in Berlin, the fellows traveled to Washington, D.C., Montgomery, Al, and Atlanta, GA.
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“Democracy comes with responsibilities”
Outgoing Consul General Norman Thatcher Scharpf talks about the development of transatlantic relations.
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New Bridge to the U.S.: Class of 2024
Our second New Bridge cohort from Germany will travel this June from Berlin, to Washington, D.C. to Montgomery and Atlanta. We are honoured to introduce our Class of 2024.
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2024 Young Atlantiks Program Report
From May 11-15, 2024, ten young Canadian and German professionals, with diverse backgrounds and expertise, met to discuss current and future transatlantic challenges and to attend the 37th German-Canadian Conference in Berlin.
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The German-American Conference in Washington, D.C.: An In-Depth Analysis from a New Bridge Perspective
With generous support from the German Federal Foreign Office, Atlantik-Brücke was able to fund the participation of eight New Bridge alumni in this year’s German-American Conference.
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The New Realities of Democracy
The German-American Conference of Atlantik-Brücke and the American Council on Germany took place in April 2024. Especially in the year of the US elections, there were heated discussions and valuable contributions to the debate.
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The bedrock of European security has British DNA
Jill Gallard, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Germany, pays tribute to the special British contribution to NATO.
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Finland in NATO is a Security Provider
In this guest article, the former Finnish Ambassador to NATO writes about Finland's accession to the Transatlantic Alliance
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Not only interest rates, but above all political decisions determine the risks on the real estate market
To avoid risks on the real estate markets, real estate policy should aim to match supply to demand and counteract market distortions, argue Andreas Dombret and Oliver Wünsch.
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Investing in European Resilience: Navigating the New Geopolitical and Technological Landscape
Uwe Horstmann, General Partner of Project A, emphasizes the increasing importance of European technological resilience and provides an outlook on the tasks ahead.
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How to Trump-proof Europe
If the former US President gets elected one more time, the European Union needs to be prepared in several key policy fields to sustain the transatlantic partnership, writes the author Steven Hill in his analysis.
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German-Canadian Young Atlantiks Program
Call for Applications: The Young Atlantiks Program promotes the “next generation” of German-Canadian transatlantic partnership.
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Germany and the EU can’t copycat Silicon Valley’s AI strategy
The author Steven Hill argues in his op-ed that Europe should not sacrifice its role as the “conscience of the Internet” on the altar of commercial and military priorities.
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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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Statement by the Board of Directors on the attack on Israel
Statement by the Board of Directors of Atlantik-Brücke on the Attack of the Terrorist Group Hamas on the State of Israel.
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Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics 2023
At the Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics, our second co-hosted conference with the Atlantic Council, high-level stakeholders spoke about current issues at the nexus of economics and foreign policy.
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Engaging in conversations, exploring solutions, forming friendships
This year’s German-American Young Leaders Conference of Atlantik-Brücke was held at Schloss Neuhardenberg in Brandenburg from August 12-18, as the program celebrated its 50th anniversary.
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“Canada’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific is year-round”
Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, explains Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy.
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A hot summer of wildfires underscores the global urgency of governmental action
This wildfire season in North America and Europe is characterized by extremes. Steven Hill points out how the political systems have an effect on the dealing with the crisis.
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Building Bridges through Transatlantic Dialogue
The seventh cohort of Atlantik-Brücke's New Bridge Program has gained a deeper understandting of the transatlantic relationship. Its journey to Washington, Brussels, Berlin and Hamburg is supposed to have several repercussions.
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Insightful, Inspirational, Interconnected
On this study trip, 13 US Social-Studies teachers from different states learned about German politics, history and culture. Through school visits, the teachers connected with their German counterparts and experienced the German education system.
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Russian Propaganda in the Southern Hemisphere: A Simplistic Scapegoat
Gavin Wilde, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, analyzes the effects of Russian disinformation campaigns in the global south.
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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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A vicious politicization of everything
In her column, Elisabeth Zerofsky writes about the political polarization in the US, which also affects foreign policy issues - not least in the case of the Ukraine war.
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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 Potential of a German-Canadian Partnership in Energy Security and Energy Transition
Pete Guthrie, Energy Minister of Alberta, spoke about the challenges for global energy supply and the deepening of a German-Canadian energy partnership.
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Disruption in the US Tech Sector: Layoffs, Stock Buybacks, and Business Plan Pivots
In a column for Atlantik-Brücke, publisher and author Steven Hill examines the recent upheaval of the US tech sector and the complex reasons for mass layoffs.
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„We are focused on diplomatic outcomes that have a real effect for middle-class America“
Under Secretary Jose W. Fernandez, U.S. Department of State, details the Biden administration's approach to economic diplomacy and the need for transatlantic cooperation on issues from the supply chain to China.
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Towards a more sustainable energy economy
Dirk Nowak analyzes the energy markets in Texas and Louisiana and draws possible conclusions for Germany and Europe.
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“Here to Stay”
On the occasion of its 70th anniversary, Atlantik-Brücke is presenting a publication that features essays and reflections on the past and the future of the transatlantic relationship.
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70 Years of Atlantik-Brücke
70 years of Atlantik-Brücke are cause for celebration, but also for reflection. How can we strengthen transatlantic relations in the face of multiple crises? What are the greatest challenges we must face together?
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“In Europe, I’m automatically the American. That switch has been really enlightening.”
The fellows of Atlantik-Brücke's New Bridge Program add new viewpoints to the transatlantic debate. Catt Phan shares her experience as a Vietnamese immigrant and elaborates on how traveling abroad has changed her perspective.
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On Board! Finland and the New NATO
Ambassador Kai Sauer, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, gives insight into Finland's perspective on Russia's war against Ukraine and Finland's application to join NATO.
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„The defense of democracy is the defining challenge of our time.“
U.S. Ambassador Gutmann, in a moving speech against the backdrop of the Ukraine war, stressed the need to protect democracy against attacks by its enemies.
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Current annual report
Atlantik-Brücke's 2021/2022 Annual Report with guest essays by Anthony Gardner, former U.S. Ambassador to the EU, Alexander Karp, CEO of Palantir, and voices of the New Bridge Program Fellows, among others.
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„A semester’s worth of transatlantic relations in one week“
Two fellows of the New Bridge Program recount their trip to Washington, DC, Berlin, Brussels and Hamburg, and reflect on the topics they discussed.
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“The State of Trust and the US-German Partnership: A Transatlantic Survey”
A new study conducted on occasion of the German-American Conference shows that the majority of Germans and Americans see the transatlantic partnership as crucial for global stability.
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In Search of a New World Order
Russia's war against Ukraine dramatically demonstrates that the world is fundamentally changing, write Sigmar Gabriel and Michael Hüther. How can Europe help shape this change?
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Julia Friedlander named as Atlantik-Brücke’s new CEO
Julia Friedlander, 37, will take over as CEO of Atlantik-Brücke on June 1, 2022.
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Germany needs to protect Europe
As the most prosperous and powerful country in Europe, Germany needs to relieve the United States by defending Europe against Russian aggression, writes Peter Rough of the Hudson Institute.
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Rebuilding Trust: How Germany Can be a Reliable Partner
His meeting with President Biden presents a chance for Chancellor Scholz to underline Germany's reliability and leadership, write Sigmar Gabriel and John B. Emerson.
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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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“China is front of mind in the US”
Heidi Crebo-Rediker, former first chief economist at the State Department, speaks about transatlantic relations and China at an Atlantik-Brücke event in New York City.
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Love Hate Sculpture unveiled in Washington, D.C.
The LOVE HATE sculpture by German artist Mia Florentine Weiss was officially unveiled in Washington.
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AUKUS – an Australian Perspective
Australia's Ambassador in Germany, H.E. Philip Green, gives insight into Australia's perspective on the Indo-Pacific.
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Female Founders on Challenges and Opportunities in the Startup World
Startup entrepreneurs Hannah Helmke and Laura Behrens Wu speak about their experience as founders in Germany and the US.
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“The more stable our democracies are, the less terrorists can harm us”
In an interview, Sigmar Gabriel talks about 9/11 and its consequences.
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“Allies, allies, allies”
General James Mattis, United States Marine Corps (Ret); 26th U.S. Secretary of Defense, spoke at Atlantik-Brücke’s Young Leaders Conference 2021 about what matters most in foreign policy.
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Building the New Bridge Program
Atlantik-Brücke's new transatlantic initiative promotes diversity. Meetings with experts and partners in Washington, DC, kicked off the program.
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Smart Cities: Introducing the Public Sector to the 21st Century
Claudia Nemat, Deutsche Telekom, and Victoria Espinel, BSA, talk about Smart Cities and digitalization of the public sector.
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“A good starting point”
In an interview, Phil Mattingly, CNN, speaks about the outcome of President Biden's first trip to Europe in June 2021.
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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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The Challenges of Future War
Lieutenant General (ret.) Ben Hodges talks about the character - both technological and geopolitical - of future war, as outlined in his latest book.
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The Transatlantic Alliance after Afghanistan
Bruce Jones, Brookings Institution, and Markus Kaim, SWP, discuss NATO's withdrawal from Afghanistan with Siemtje Möller, MdB (SPD).
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“Little Time for Major Foreign Policy Projects”
Bojan Pancevski, the WSJ's Germany correspondent, on the new U.S. administration and transatlantic relations.
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Reaffirming and Reimagining the Transatlantic Alliance: Facing Shared Challenges Together
Philip T. Reeker, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, on the challenges for the transatlantic partnership.
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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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Female Leadership Workshop on Digitilization
As part of our new Female Leadership Workshop Series, speakers Angelika Gifford and Dr. Katrin Suder discussed, together with participants, digitalization during a global crisis.
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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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More Ambition, Please!
With President Biden, there is an opportunity to overcome the crisis in transatlantic relations. To this end, Germany should reach a New Agreement with the U.S. government, writes a group of transatlantic experts intheir appeal.
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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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Transition: Review & Outlook on 2021
Susan Glasser, Elmar Theveßen, and Sigmar Gabriel review 2020 and give an outlook on foreign relations in 2021.
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After the U.S. Election – What to Expect from the New Presidency?
Discussion between Will Hurd, Sigmar Gabriel, Günther Oettinger, Daniela Schwarzer, and Anna Wieslander on the Future of the European-American Partnership.
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After Trump: Rebuilding Anglo-European Relations in Challenging Times
Josh Glancy, The Sunday Times, and Rachel Rizzo, Center for a New American Security, on the future of Anglo-European and transatlantic relations after Trump.
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Reinventing the German-American Agenda in 2021
Sigmar Gabriel and John Emerson discuss the future of German-American relations.
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Mourning Guido Goldman
Atlantik-Brücke mourns the loss of Guido Goldman, a great transatlanticist.
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What Can We Expect from a Biden Administration?
Charles Kupchan, former national security advisor for the Obama Administration, talks about the impacts of Joe Biden's election on domestic and foreign policy with Michael Werz.
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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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Will transatlantic relations improve after the US election?
Former US-Ambassador to the EU, Anthony Luzzato Gardner, discussed transatlantic relations with Atlantik-Bruecke-Chairman Sigmar Gabriel.
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“As a leader, you have to take the time to make a personal connection”
General Jeffrey Harrigian, Commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, speaks about the crucial aspects of "connected leadership" within foreign and security policy.
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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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Foreign Interference in the Upcoming U.S. Election?
Award-winning journalist Clarissa Ward speaks about the possibilty of renewed Russian interference in the US elections.
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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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Beyond Location: Germany’s Debate on NATO’s Nuclear Sharing Agreement
Ben Hodges and Götz Neuneck discuss Germany's role in NATO's nuclear sharing.
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Tech to the Rescue?
The world is in the midst of a crisis that will almost certainly prove to have long-term social, economic and political ramifications. However, the private sector, including the technology and innovation ecosystem, seems to be voluntarily mobilizing in order to mitigate the crisis.
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Global Order in Crisis Mode – Coping Strategies of the West
Ambassador Victoria Nuland and Omid Nouripour, Member of the German Bundestag, discuss the crisis management of the West.
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COVID-19 in Russia and Belarus
The pandemic makes the leaderships in Moscow and Minsk nervous, observes Omid Nouripour. Will it unleash forces that they cannot control?
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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 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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Finding Europe’s Way in the World
Sigmar Gabriel and Michael Hüther argue that the global balance of power is shifting rapidly. Europe must now find its own way to promote cooperation among Western partners.
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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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“Journalism today is fundamentally clickbait”
In our interview with MIT professor Alex Pentland, we spoke about his ideas for data ownership, but also about fake news and disinformation campaigns.
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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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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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“The U.S. has sold out the Kurds numerous times”
Joshua Walker, Global Head of Strategic Initiatives at Eurasia Group, views the Turkish military offensive in northern Syria as tragic, but in its emergence, as inevitable.
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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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“We are seeing history in the making in this country”
In our interview, former Minister of State for Trade and Investment Lord Stephen Green talks about the current situation in the UK, Brexit, the political mood in Britain and transatlantic relations.
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“Terrorists are adapting to cryptocurrencies”
Yaya Fanusie scrutinizes the cyber security risks which originate from cryptocurrencies. The former analyst in the CIA speaks about the lack of expertise within governments.
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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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“An Inspiration for the World“
At Atlantik-Brücke's summer reception in Frankfurt, Stéphane Dion, Canadian Ambassador to Germany and Special Envoy to the EU and Europe, shared his views on German-Canadian relations.
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Hodges: “Germany’s reluctance surprises me”
Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of the U.S. Army Europe, criticizes the position of Germany's Federal Government regarding the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
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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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A signal of closeness from Canada
Atlantik-Brücke’s German-Canadian-Conference underscored the importance of the relationship between both countries for global questions of our time.
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“We can’t afford not to be part of the future“
Goldy Hyder of the Business Council of Canada talks about values and trade relations and the role of EU-Canadian ties vis-à-vis China.
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Democrats can no longer threaten to impeach
Hans von Spakovsky, Senior Legal Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, argues that the failure to turn up proof of collusion or coordination should surprise no one.
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The fight over the Mueller investigation in Washington has just begun
Max Bergmann, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, underscores how urgent the transparency of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s full report is.
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A Crisis of Liberalism in the West
Torrey Taussig, Bosch Foundation Fellow and Non-Resident Fellow at Brookings, speaks about the rise of illiberal movements. She demands that democracy has to prove that it works.
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Time to Realign with the United States
True multilateralism can only gain momentum with the combined strength of Europe and the USA, writes our columnist Peter Rough, Fellow at the Hudson Institute. He argues that the transatlantic project needs new dedication.
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Lamy: „If a US-EU trade agreement is concluded, it will be very limited“
The former WTO Director General talks about the potential for a US-EU trade deal, the implications of a cooling of US-China relations for Europe, and the need for a reform of some aspects of the WTO rule book.
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Why the Timing is Right for a EU-US Summit this Spring
Rick Minor argues that Jean-Claude Juncker could help stabilize the EU-US working relationship by initiating a summit before the end of his term as President of the EU Commission.
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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 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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“The trade war with China will be resolved within six months”
Frank Lavin, the CEO of the Export Now Incorporation, regards U.S. president Trump as the driving factor for a solution in the conflict between the USA and China.
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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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“It is important for Germany to lead in NATO on the European landmass”
General Philip Breedlove, NATO’s former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, would welcome “Germany’s recapitalization and retraining of its military forces.”
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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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Atlantik-Brücke mourns the loss of Senator John McCain
Senator McCain's passing is a loss not only the US, but also for Europe. He was a courageous and principled champion for freedom and democracy.
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U.S.-Turkey Relations Hit a New Low
The U.S. and Turkey hit a new low this summer that caught many by surprise. Foreign policy expert Joshua Walker says, however, that the current crisis has been a long-time coming.
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“Conversations on the future of NATO“
Where does the discussion about the 2-percent-goal stand? Which role does the USA play within the alliance? How could NATO's European pillar develop? American and German experts share their insights.
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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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“Does our model of a free society still have a future?”
Friedrich Merz is interviewed on German television about current EU-US relations and the importance of strong European cooperation.
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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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Steel Tariffs are a Distraction from Transatlantic Cooperation on China
Peter Rashish argues that the EU should make a case to the US for tariff exemptions, instead of going to the WTO. The focus of the transatlantic partners should be cooperation on China.
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“The Transatlantic Alliance Post Brexit”
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, shared his insights on defense spending, the West’s stance towards Russia and China, and the future of the European Union.
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“We need to listen to concerns about CETA”
Dr. Ailish Campbell, Chief Trade Commissioner of Canada, speaks about the German-Canadian free trade agreement and the future of NAFTA.
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“Privacy is of paramount concern to us”
Jay Carney, Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, Amazon, speaks about Amazon's growth in Europe, the future of A.I. and the importance of privacy.
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O’Hanlon: “The goal is to normalize relations with Russia”
Part IX of our series: Michael O’ Hanlon demands that NATO’s eastward expansion must come to an end. He suggests an alternative security architecture in Europe.
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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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Von Geyr: “Reliability is crucial in NATO”
In the debate on NATO's two percent target, Géza von Geyr states that it is strategically imperative for Germany to increase its expenditure on security.
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