AGI

German-American Leadership

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Changing Parameters of Interdependence: The Triangle of German-Chinese-U.S. Relations

The twenty-first century is a century that is and will be increasingly marked by changing patterns of interdependence, influence, and interests among states, regions, and non-state actors. The structures of …

TPP: Lessons from the Pacific for the Atlantic

This week’s successful conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations is a major historical milestone. It is the first part – along with the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) …

Facing the Future: Germany and the U.S. in a Transforming World

Those who remember the heady days of 1989 in Europe will recall a breathtakingly fast pace of change. The chain of events in Eastern Europe seemed like a volcanic eruption of citizens and governments—an eruption that would change the contours of the continent in ways many had hoped for, but few expected in their lifetimes. In retrospect, it was in large measure set in motion by ordinary citizens who changed the course of history. The ripples of those days are still being felt today—a quarter of a century later.

Germany’s Missed Chance: President el-Sisi Invited to Germany

At the beginning of June, current Egyptian President and former General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visited Berlin at the invitation of the Merkel government. This meeting was part of an ongoing …

Merkel on Marriage

On Friday, June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in an historic 5-4 vote. After decades of activism and litigation, the …

The Myth of a Mighty Germany

This June, the G-7 will meet in an opulent castle near Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze. It was initially built, according to the host’s website, for an “egocentric zealot” who …

Renewing Resolutions: The 2015 Agenda in Germany

At the dawn of 2015, Germany could look back and clearly identify its inheritances from 2014. As always, there were many surprises and challenges in the past year and their …

October 3: Lessons for the Future of Europe

This week Germany again marks its anniversary of formal unification on October 3. Next month, on November 9, we will remember how the division of Germany ended, seeing dramatic pictures …

Rebuilding the Relationship: The Undeniable Ties Between the United States and Germany

In the wake of the recent espionage scandal, it is time for the U.S. and Germany to start cleaning up the damage and rebuild the relationship. Geopolitical hotheads on both …

Dealing with Distrust: A German-American Dilemma

The Germans are once again angry with Washington. News stories about an alleged mole in Germany’s intelligence services, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), providing state secrets to Americans has outraged the entire …

Germany’s Defensive Defense: Minister von der Leyen’s First Trip to Washington

Germany’s President Joachim Gauck knows his job. He defined it himself, and the President acts through words. They may be uncomfortable words sometimes. Gauck clearly sees his version of the bully …

Merkel in Washington: A Reset Rendezvous

During her 2011 visit to Washington, DC, President Obama hosted Chancellor Merkel at a festive White House state dinner and conferred on her the highest award he could offer—the Medal …