Episode 144: Economic Resilience as Economic Security The world’s leading economies are putting economic security at the top of their policy concerns. Among them, the European Union is taking a risk-based approach that seeks to deter weaponizable …

"We don't want to sacrifice economic efficiency at the altar of resilience. We must combine the two paradigms into one. Diversification is necessary because it enables greater economic efficiencies." More from Denis Redonnet in our latest podcast episode:

DAAD/AGI Research Fellowship Program The DAAD/AGI Research Fellowship Program, funded by a generous grant from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), is designed to bring scholars and specialists working on key issues of…

Research key issues in transatlantic relations for up to six months in Washington, DC!

AGI is accepting applications for the 2027 DAAD/AGI Research Fellowship Program. Apply by August 1:

Vance faces first global test as U.S. negotiator with Iran YouTube video by PBS NewsHour

AGI President @jeffrathke.bsky.social appeared on Compass Points from PBS NewsHour to discuss Vice President Vance’s international profile and views on foreign policy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKO5...

Public Debt: From a Stopgap to a Threat? Public debt is in the spotlight. According to the IMF, global public debt stands at 93 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP). By the end of the decade, IMF …

IMF projections indicate that debt will rise to over 100 percent of global GDP. Joern Quitzau and Mickey Levy examine the vulnerability of the US should major bond investors sell off large amounts of U.S. Treasury bonds: americangerman.institute/2026/04/publ...

AGI was pleased to host a discussion with CEO of Commerzbank AG Bettina Orlopp today with transatlantic experts. The discussion covered transatlantic investment, trade flows, and economic resilience in a more fragmented global environment.

Far Beyond a Name Peter Arthur Gray’s Search for Identity and Trust Peter Arthur Gray has gone by many names over the years. When asked to identify himself at the beginning of an interview …

From Berlin, Germany, in the 1930s to Shanghai, China, in the 1940s and then to San Francisco, Peter Arthur Gray has held many names. Kevin Ostoyich tells the story of the Shanghai refugee and his search for identity:

Trump has handed JD Vance his most difficult mission yet As the US vice-president leads peace talks with Iran, he must balance warring factions, a demanding boss and his own political future.

My thoughts in this BBC piece on the negotiation dynamic as US-Iran talks begin in Pakistan

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Hab die Ehre gehabt, meine Sicht auf den Iran-USA-Verhandlungen mit dem NDR-Radio zu diskutieren. Vielen Dank @ndr.de !

My thoughts on the U.S. negotiations with Iran, in German, with NDR Radio👇🏻

Experte Rathke zu Iran-Verhandlungen: "USA sind weit weg von Zielen" Die Öffnung der Straße von Hormus sei das einzige, was US-Präsident Trump erreichen könne, sagte Jeffrey Rathke, Präsident des American-German Institute auf NDR Info.

Ahead of peace talks in Islamabad, AGI president @jeffrathke.bsky.social spoke to @ndr.de about U.S. and Iranian objectives for the end of the conflict in Iran: www.ndr.de/nachrichten/...

Halle Foundation/AGI Internships Halle Foundation/AGI internships aim to: Introduce interns to all aspects (administrative, programming, development, research) of an American nonprofit public policy institute. Provide opportunities…

Internship applications are due today! Apply to spend your summer researching Germany and working on transatlantic projects in Washington, DC:

Episode 144: Economic Resilience as Economic Security The world’s leading economies are putting economic security at the top of their policy concerns. Among them, the European Union is taking a risk-based approach that seeks to deter weaponizable …

In a new podcast episode, European Commission Deputy Director-General for Trade and Economic Security Denis Redonnet discusses the EU's approach to economic security in trade, regulatory, industrial, and technology policies. Listen:

Tariffs, Germany, and South Carolina Bavaria West German business loves South Carolina, and South Carolina loves German business. Currently, there are over 270 German companies employing over 44,000 people based in South Carolina. They…

"South Carolina has banked on globalization and foreign investment while being a deep red state. It now confronts a possible conflict between its political preferences and its economic interests." Stephen Szabo on the state's balancing act:

WTO Reform and Transatlantic Interests Speakers: Thomas Duesterberg, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute Heather Hurlburt, Associate Fellow, Chatham House Stormy Mildner, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Germany Luisa Santos, Deputy…

"Stability and predictability have become a major priority, so rules are key, because they give you stability and predictability. That's why the WTO still matters." Watch our recent webinar on WTO Reform and Transatlantic Interests:

Episode 143: Germany’s Political Barometer Two state elections in western Germany this month resulted in one win for Chancellor Merz’s Christian Democrats and two poor outcomes for the Social Democrats. The Alternative for Germany, meanwhile, ...

“The basic issue is restoring economic growth. This is a problem with grand coalitions... if you’re dissatisfied with the government, you go to the extremes.” Listen to #TheZeitgeist for more on Germany’s political challenges in a year of state elections: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

Halle Foundation/AGI Internships Halle Foundation/AGI internships aim to: Introduce interns to all aspects (administrative, programming, development, research) of an American nonprofit public policy institute. Provide opportunities…

Halle Foundation/AGI Internship applications are due April 10!

This paid opportunity involves interns in ongoing AGI projects and events and connects them to a transatlantic network in DC.

Tariffs, Germany, and South Carolina Bavaria West German business loves South Carolina, and South Carolina loves German business. Currently, there are over 270 German companies employing over 44,000 people based in South Carolina. They…

South Carolina has banked on globalization and foreign investment while at the same time being a deep red state. Stephen Szabo examines how the Palmetto State is balancing politics and economic interests:

The AfD’s New Transatlantic Network Tracking the AfD’s Engagement with the United States As the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has gained support domestically—exemplified by 20.8 percent of the vote in the 2025 Bundestag election—they…

Despite some calls within the AfD to distance the party from the US and the MAGA movement, networking between the two groups continues. On March 25, the president of the New York Republican Club spoke at an AfD event in the Bundestag:

On the final day of the program, #agiLGBTQexchange visited the Schwules Museum. The museum highlights how the LGBTQ+ community plays a role in shaping cultural history more broadly.

Our trip to Leipzig included joint session with Aidhilfe Leipzig, which provides sexual education and counseling, aimed at preventing HIV and AIDS in the community, and RosaLinde Leipzig, which combats queerphobia, racism, and discrimination. #agiLGBTQexchange

In Leipzig, we met first with Kathrin Darlatt, a member of the Advisory Board for Gender Equality. Her work ensures the equal treatment of women and men in all aspects of Leipzig’s community. #agiLGBTQexchange

Whither the Greens? Özdemir’s unexpected triumph and the future of the party The Green Party, led by talismanic candidate Cem Özdemir, finished first on March 8 in the Baden-Württemberg state elections with 30.2 …

The Greens held on to power in state elections in a campaign that shifted to the right on immigration and ignored typical Green talking points. Is this tactic particular to Baden-Württemberg? Or is it the beginning of a national "de-greening"?

This afternoon included a visit to the @bundesstiftung.bsky.social to meet with Helmut Metzner and Alfonso Pantisano, the Berlin State Queer Commissioner #agiLGBTQexchange

AGI Profiles: Leif-Erik Holm Member of the Bundestag; AfD State Chairman in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Leif-Erik Holm is a father, politician, loyal party member, local celebrity, and a “nice guy.” A founder of the Alternative...

Leif-Erik Holm is seeking to lead the state government in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania after this September's elections. Halle Foundation/AGI Intern Lilith Edwards profiled the longtime regional AfD leader: americangerman.institute/2026/03/agi-...

#agiLGBTQexchange discussed the lived experiences and culture of LGBTQ+ people in Berlin, speaking with @manuela-kay.bsky.social of siegessaeule.bsky.social; Anjes Sanogo with Housing First Queer with Schwulenberatung Berlin, and Lara Ledwa at Spinnboden Lesbian Archive and Library.

Episode 143: Germany’s Political Barometer Two state elections in western Germany this month resulted in one win for Chancellor Merz’s Christian Democrats and two poor outcomes for the Social Democrats. The Alternative for Germany,…

What do recent state election results reveal about the state of German politics after one year of the Merz government? The latest episode of The Zeitgeist podcast analyzes what regional outcomes mean for national politics: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...

Today, participants in AGI’s project, “Building LGBTQ+ Communities in Germany and the United States,” reconvened for a week-long study tour in Berlin. Stay tuned for more updates as they meet with leaders and organizations around Berlin. #agiLGBTQexchange

Die Kuppel des US-Kapitols steht im Hintergrund unter blauem Himmel, davor blühen rosa Kirschbäume. Über dem unteren linken Bildbereich liegt ein dunkelblauer Kreis mit weißem Text: „DAAD/AGI Research Fellowship – Jetzt bewerben!“. Unten links ist ein kle

Forschung zu transatlantischen Beziehungen in Washington, D.C.? Mit dem DAAD/AGI Research Fellowship können Wissenschaftler:innen am @amgerinst.bsky.social arbeiten. Frist: 1.8.2026. Infos: americangerman.institute/job/daad-aicgs-research-... #DAAD
📸 © iStock / TylerFairbank

In case you missed today's webinar, it's now available to watch online: americangerman.institute/video/wto-re...

Time for a Change? Thoughts on the National Anthem of Germany The story of the Deutschlandlied (song of Germany) is one of turbulence and shifting perceptions. It was written in 1841 by August Heinrich …

Germany's national anthem has a turbulent history, and some politicians are calling for a new or altered version. Halle Foundation/AGI Intern Jake Gamble examines the potential for a new anthem:

Episode 142: The AfD and the 2026 State Elections Five state elections will be held in Germany in 2026. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) enters this “super election year” in a strong position: it is the largest opposition party …

"The AfD is a party hitting on fears: fear of losing; fear of immigration, which might change society; fear of rising crimes, although we have a lower crime rate than twenty years ago." For more on the AfD's growth, listen to our latest podcast episode: