Issue Briefs
Risk Governance and Transatlantic Cooperation in Space
Purely national approaches to cope with major transnational challenges are doomed to fail. The United States and the EU are key players in this context—without the two economic and political heavyweights, systemic risks cannot be handled adequately. Despite the high degree of integration of their economies, sound political relations, and similar vulnerabilities to systemic risks,… Read more >
Nuclear Energy in the U.S. and Germany: Weighing the Risks
Energy and climate policy in the U.S. and in Germany seem to be miles apart. In 2011, Germany decided to phase-out nuclear, whereas in early 2012 the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted the first license to build and operate an extension of a nuclear power plant for the first time since 1978…. Read more >
Lots of Talk, Little Action? Chances and Impediments for a New EU-U.S. Trade Agenda
The annual meeting of the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) in November 2011 presented an opportunity for German and American policymakers to make progress on their efforts at greater trade integration. This Issue Brief gives an overview of the EU and the U.S.’ trade agendas and looks at how greater transatlantic cooperation can… Read more >
Transatlantic Relations in an Age of Fiscal Austerity
Prior to the economic and financial crisis that began in 2008, the fiscal challenges of both
Europe and the U.S. largely were viewed as longer-term issues, associated with gradually
rising public expenditures in the face of aging populations (the main issue for Europe) and
soaring health care costs … As a consequence, the focus on both sides of the Atlantic has shifted toward fiscal consolidation—both in the near term as well as the longer term.
Global Economic Imbalances and International Security: Perils and Prospects
Despite improvements in the American and European financial markets in 2010, the fiscal crisis in Greece and the continually rising U.S. deficit have caused a decline of trust in the capital markets and have overshadowed any growth in the real economy. Overcoming the recession and returning to a sustainable growth pattern, however, is of paramount importance for the wealth and security of all nations, write AICGS Business & Economics Program Director Dr. Tim Stuchtey and S. Chase Gummer. In Issue Brief #39, Stuchtey and Gummer examine existing global economic imbalances and the impact these imbalances have on international security.
Recovering From an Economic Hangover: Lessons and Prescriptions for Transatlantic Cooperation
Two years after the financial and economic crisis began in the United States and shortly thereafter spread to Europe and Germany, the subsequent economic downturn continues to cause problems around the globe. In Issue Brief 38, “Recovering From an Economic Hangover: Lessons and Prescriptions for Transatlantic Cooperation,” AICGS Research Associate Kirsten Verclas analyzes the impact of the economic crisis on Germany, the EU, and the United States and offers policy recommendations for promoting greater cooperation in the future.
Anything But SWIFT: Why Data Sharing is Still a Problem for the EU
The fight against terrorism has been on the forefront of the U.S. and German agendas and shapes the relationship between both countries. While cooperation has been strong, differences have arisen in several areas. In Issue Brief 35, Edna Dretzka and DAAD/AICGS Fellow Stormy-Annika Mildner examine the disagreement between the U.S. and EU over sharing private financial data in relation to terrorism. The authors look at the legal situation in the United States and the political struggles in the European Union that hamper better cooperation across the Atlantic, and offer ideas on how the two actors can overcome their differences on data-sharing and SWIFT.
Transatlantic Counterterrorism Policy: Cultural, Economic, and Financial Aspects
The fight against terrorism has been on the forefront of the U.S. and German agendas and shapes the relationship between both countries. While differences in counterterrorism policy exist, the U.S. and Germany have also very successfully cooperated in counterterrorism measures. In Issue Brief 34, Kirsten Verclas, AICGS Research Associate, examines the cultural, economic, and financial aspects of counterterrorism policy in the United States and Germany and how these aspects are combined to shape each country’s overall strategy.
Similarities in Difference: The Challenge of Muslim Integration in Germany and the United States
In Issue Brief 33, “Similarities in Difference: The Challenge of Muslim Integration in Germany and the United States,” Mounir Azzaoui examines the status of Muslim integration in both countries and concludes that even though the challenges each nation faces are somewhat different, a dialogue about the experiences of Muslim integration could be made fruitful for all of the challenges ahead. This Issue Brief is part of AICGS’ project on the “Integration of Muslim Immigrants in Germany and the United States,” which works to deepen the German-American understanding of immigration and integration of Muslims.
A Change in Government but No Change in Policy? Implications of the 2009 German Election
In Issue Brief 32, “A Change in Government But No Change in Policy? Implications of the 2009 German Election,” AICGS Research Associate Kirsten Verclas takes an in-depth look at the results of the 2009 German Bundestag election and their implications for the future of Germany’s party and electoral system. Additionally, the Issue Brief further analyzes the current stance of the new governing coalition on key foreign policy, economic, and domestic issues and the impact this may have on the German-American partnership and U.S. foreign policy interests.
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