Detroit Archive - Atlantik-Brücke e.V.

„A Reorientation of the Partnership on an Equal Footing“

Pia Kauer — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 11:37:24 +0000

In September 2025, the third German cohort of the New Bridge Program took part in an intensive exchange in the United States. Ten young professionals and emerging leaders from diverse fields – including technology, medicine, the military, political consulting, regulation, and law – came together to explore the transatlantic dialogue from new perspectives. In the following, Fellows Şirin Tiryaki and Mateo Blazevic share their impressions and insights.

The program began in Berlin, where we first got to know each other and received an initial thematic introduction through discussions with representatives from politics, academia, and public administration. Particularly memorable was the lecture by Prof. Sebastian Jobs from the John F. Kennedy Institute at Freie Universität Berlin, who vividly traced historical trajectories of U.S. politics and society – from American exceptionalism to the role of migration in shaping the economy and national identity.

[related]In Washington, D.C., we met with stakeholders from politics, media, and civil society. Conversations at institutions such as Future Caucus, NBC News, and the State Department provided a multifaceted view of American perspectives on security, democracy, and social change.

The third part of our journey took us to Detroit, where the realities of structural transformation and social change became immediately tangible. Discussions with representatives from Ford, trade unions, local initiatives, and city government underscored how closely economic renewal and social cohesion are intertwined. Detroit thus became a powerful symbol of how societies can actively shape change.

Transatlantic cooperation in transition

The discussions in Washington, D.C. confirmed that the transatlantic partnership continues to be a high priority for the United States. Europe is seen as a key factor for stability, and Germany is expected to take on more responsibility in security policy – particularly in cyber security, defense innovation, and energy independence. This stance makes it clear that it is less about US withdrawal and more about a reorientation of the partnership on an equal footing.

This impression was also confirmed at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C., particularly with regard to the media’s perception of the supposed isolation of the US. It was noticeable on the ground that the United States continues to attach great importance to multilateral cooperation, especially on issues such as climate protection, technology policy, and global security. American foreign policy today pays greater attention to its own interests, but continues to see international cooperation as a key instrument for tackling global challenges.

“The US expects Germany to take on a stronger leadership role within Europe”

At the US State Department, Paul Stucky, German Desk Officer, elaborated on this perspective. The US expects Germany to take on a stronger leadership role within Europe, particularly in building joint security architectures, supporting Ukraine, and countering authoritarian influence from China and Russia. Germany is seen as a bridge builder whose diplomatic credibility and mediation skills are crucial. The discussions showed that transatlantic cooperation is being redefined. It is evolving from a unilateral security guarantee to shared responsibility based on common values and mutual reliability.

Detroit as a mirror of structural change

Detroit showed that economic change is always also a social process. In discussions with initiatives such as the Design Build Green Hub and activists such as Martina Guzmán Miranda, it became clear how closely issues such as urban development, social inequality, and trust are linked. Unlike Germany, where the state often organizes structural support, many U.S. cities rely on local initiatives, philanthropic engagement, and cooperation with companies.

“Electromobility is understood not only as a technological transformation, but also as a social one”

Visits to the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center and United Auto Workers Local 600 made the profound industrial change tangible. Here, electromobility is understood not only as a technological transformation, but also as a social one. Trade unions, companies, and urban society are working together to find ways to combine innovation with social stability. This approach can also be inspiring for European regions undergoing structural change.

The conversation with Abdullah Hammoud, the first mayor of Arab descent in the US, was particularly impressive. In Dearborn, we experienced how diversity, integration, and community strength can intertwine. The city is a prime example of active representation, civic engagement, and economic resilience. These encounters showed that social progress can only succeed if political participation and economic development are considered together.

Conclusion: New answers to old questions

Our trip made it clear that the transatlantic partnership is facing a period of renewal. In Washington, it was evident that the US expects initiative from Europe, not distance. In Detroit, it became apparent that change can only succeed when community, innovation, and inclusion work together. The supposed contradictions between economic transformation and social justice or between national interest and international responsibility cannot be completely resolved, but they can be constructively renegotiated.

The insights gained on site were not always clear-cut, but they always opened our eyes to a relationship characterized by pragmatism, mutual respect, and a shared desire to shape the future. This is precisely the bridge that the New Bridge Program is building and that we would like to continue to strengthen in the future.

We would like to thank Atlantik-Brücke, in particular Laura Vogel and Muhammed Ali Sen, for the excellent organization of the program, the Joachim Herz Foundation for its support, and all those who welcomed and accompanied us so warmly in Berlin, Washington, D.C., and Detroit. We look forward to now being part of this valuable network and actively shaping the transatlantic dialogue.

Fellows Johannes Aclassato, Fatima Hussain, and Oleksii Kysliak also shared insights they gained from the program. Watch the interviews here:

New Bridge to the US is supported by the Joachim Herz Foundation.

Der Beitrag „A Reorientation of the Partnership on an Equal Footing“ erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

New Bridge to the US: Class of 2025

Atlantic Bridge — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 10:11:09 +0000

We are happy to introduce our next New Bridge cohort! Our fellows will travel to the United States in September 2025, where they will meet with decision-makers from politics, business, academia and civil society and visit key institutions in Washington, D.C. and Detroit, MI – a city with outstanding significance for industrial transformation and the history of the U.S. labor movement.

Johannes Aclassato served 13 years in the German Armed Forces, including eight with the special operations unit Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), where he took part in multiple deployments and liaison roles at the Joint Operations Command. Following his military career, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the Open University in the United Kingdom and is now pursuing a Master of Arts in War and Conflict Studies at the University of Potsdam. He has contributed to interdisciplinary research in foreign and security policy at the Center for Military History and Social Sciences of the German Armed Forces. Currently, Johannes volunteers with the NGO Gospel-Mission e.V., applying his planning and operational expertise to support sustainable development projects in rural Africa. His unique background offers a distinctive perspective on foreign and security policy, with particular expertise in defense and development.

Mateo Blazevic is a medical doctor from Munich, Germany. He is currently pursuing his doctoral thesis in hematology and cardio-oncology at the University of Würzburg and completing his residency in internal medicine. His passion for international healthcare systems has led to academic and professional experience in France, England, Austria, and Switzerland. As a spokesperson, he represented the interests of medical students within Germany’s doctors’ union, the Marburger Bund. Mateo is an alumnus of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Yunus Güllü is an Associate at 365 Sherpas, a strategic advisory firm specializing in political communication, corporate affairs and public policy consulting. Previously, he worked at the Centre for International Peace Operations, aiding the recruitment of personnel for EU and OSCE missions. Yunus also gained practical experience in NGOs, the local editorial office of the Tagesspiegel, the German Federal Foreign Office as well as the German Bundestag. He studied Communication and Political Science at the Free University of Berlin and completed a Dual Master of Social Sciences at the Humboldt University of Berlin and the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. Yunus is an international election observer for the OSCE and holds a scholarship from the German Foundation for Integration.

Fatima Hussain is a lawyer and activist. She currently serves as Head of Legal at LIQID and previously held positions at Trade Republic Bank, Tesla SE and AUDI AG. Earlier in her career, she worked at leading international law firms – Linklaters, Clifford Chance, and Freshfields – specializing in capital markets, litigation and arbitration. Fatima advises legal departments and law firms on innovation, with a strong focus on female empowerment and diversity. She also leads workshops aimed particularly at women and individuals with migrant backgrounds and regularly contributes articles and podcasts, including for Handelsblatt. Her work has earned national recognition. In 2022, Capital magazine named Fatima one of Germany’s “Top 40 under 40” and Business Insider included her among the “25 Women Shaping the Future”.

Dara Kossok-Spieß heads the Department for Digitalization and Network Policy at the German Retail Federation, driving forward the transformation of the retail sector from the shopping cart to the strategic use of AI. In 2020, she also founded the industry’s Diversity Initiative, which addresses diversity management and aims to create a non-discriminatory retail environment. Dara is socially engaged through the intersectional network SWANS Initiative, where she is a co-founder and shareholder. She is also active in local politics, serving as parliamentary group leader in the municipal parliament of Berlin-Spandau and treasurer of the Green Party in Berlin. Before joining the German Retail Federation, Dara worked as a political communications consultant, both nationally and internationally, for media and academic institutions. She studied Political Science, Public Administration and Business Law in Germany, Latvia and Russia. Dara was born in Kazakhstan and is mother to two children.

Oleksii Kysliak is Political Advisor to the Mayor of Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, where he focuses on economic development, public order and cross-border cooperation. He previously served for seven years as a parliamentary advisor in the German Bundestag, gaining insight into national and regional politics. Active in civic and political life, Oleksii chaired the Junge Union Frankfurt (Oder), promoting youth political engagement and strengthening German-Polish relations. His Ukrainian background informs his volunteer work in supporting Ukrainian refugees and raising awareness about Russia’s war against Ukraine. Oleksii holds a Master of Arts in Cultural and Political Studies from European University Viadrina and completed the Academy of Young Diplomats in Warsaw. He also holds degrees in Business Administration and Philology from Kyiv. Drawing on his diverse experiences, Oleksii works to connect local realities with international dialogue and democratic engagement.

Pelumi Olusanya-Winter is a German-Nigerian professional working at the German Corporation for International Cooperation, the German Federal Government’s implementing agency for sustainable development and international cooperation. She has technical expertise in reproductive health services, family planning as well as population dynamics and is passionate about improving access to health services for women, girls and youth. As a committed advocate for gender equality and a people-centered approach to global health and development, Pelumi previously worked with UNDP, WHO and civil society organizations, gaining field experience in Togo, Sierra Leone and Nepal. Beyond her international engagements, Pelumi is actively involved in local initiatives such as the Afro-Diasporic Academics Network (ADAN e.V.). Pelumi holds a Master of Science in Global Health from Maastricht University and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health from the University of Bremen.

Şirin Tiryaki is Knowledge Management Lead at T-Systems International, with a background in teaching and a passion for learning, culture and communication. Previously, she gained experience at the Bertelsmann Foundation, Volkswagen AG and the District Office Berlin-Mitte. Şirin founded Chaya Times, a newsletter and community that empowers young people around confidence, career and opportunities. As a former G7 Youth Delegate, she advocates internationally for education and equity. Şirin’s work sits at the intersection of tech, education, empowerment and impact.

Ulrike Tuchardt is a political strategist who is shaping Germany’s transition to sustainable energy and mobility at the intersection of law, climate policy and technological change. In her role as an advisor on regulatory affairs, she ensures that the shift toward sustainable transportation is effective, socially fair and open to a variety of technological solutions. Born in post-reunification East Germany, Ulrike witnessed firsthand how structural change can influence identities and opportunities across generations. She is passionate about building bridges across borders, backgrounds, and beliefs. Ulrike holds an LL.M. in Business Law and has been awarded a scholarship by the Hans Böckler Foundation in recognition of her long-standing commitment to democratic and labor-related causes, including youth education work for trade unions.

Ertan Türk is a Technology Strategist at Microsoft with a strong focus on ethical innovation and transatlantic cooperation. He advises leading pharmaceutical companies on the strategic use of AI, cloud technologies and digital transformation. Previously, he worked at Merck KGaA, where he was recognized as a top-performing talent and led cross-functional projects in life sciences. As a first-generation university graduate with a Turkish migration background, Ertan brings a unique perspective shaped by resilience, curiosity and a commitment to inclusive progress. He leads educational initiatives at Integreater Frankfurt, a nonprofit promoting social mobility, and engages in foreign policy discussions at the Young German Council on Foreign Relations. Ertan’s work bridges technology, policy and civic engagement, driven by the belief that innovation must serve both democratic values and global partnerships.

New Bridge to the US is supported by the Joachim Herz Foundation.

Der Beitrag New Bridge to the US: Class of 2025 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..