'Germany has to wake up and stop hiding behind the US' | Berlin Briefing

In the first episode of DW Berlin Briefing, we dive deep into the shifting landscape of transatlantic relations, exploring how Germany and Europe must adapt to the evolving political realities in the US. Join host Nina Haase as she sits down with experts Ines Pohl (DW's Washington Bureau Chief) and James D. Bindenagel (Visiting Distinguished Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the US and Former US Ambassador to Germany) for an insightful conversation on the implications of Donald Trump's leadership, European security, support for Ukraine and the changing dynamics of US-European relations, and how Germany's government crisis is impacting all of this.

Key discussions include:
• The shift from shared values to transactional politics between the U.S. and Europe.
• How Germany, under Merkel’s legacy, navigated a values-driven relationship with the US, and why that might no longer be sustainable with leaders like Trump.
• Ines' firsthand insights from traveling across the US and speaking to voters on whether Trump’s promises of uniting the country are feasible.
• The challenges of European unity in responding to the unpredictable nature of Trump’s foreign policy.
• The stark reality of Europe having to take responsibility for its own security in a post-Cold War world, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• the implications of the collapse of Germany's governing coalition for support for Ukraine

#BerlinBriefing #Trump #Germany

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[TallGermanBoy]

I know Ines Pohl from interviewing interesting people and asking great questions in the last few years. So interesting to see her in the role of being interviewed and giving such great and poignant analysis!! 👏🏼

[berndhofmann]

I'm a German Management consultant.

To me Germans are still asleep 😴

[BigRedDragonFan]

Here's the problem with Europe and Germany. They make decisions without willing to living with the consequences of their actions. Germany chose to deindustrialize yet assuming they will be able to maintain quality of life and remain an economic powerhouse. EU chose to not invest in their military yet assumes they will maintain security agency.

[stockdale]

Do you think the belligerent rhetoric of the Greens and CDU against Russia will lead to a bigger vote share for AFD and Sara Wagekinect? Without the American umbrella I imagine most Germans don't want direct conflict with Russia.

[Zanzan]

German interested are US interests.lGermany is a US Colony

[Jelly_Bean_]

That German guy in the video needs to man up and start paying his bills.

[HenrykGutmann-krtn]

So, maybe this second Trump presidency has the chance for Germany to become a self-responsible adult!

[mladenmatosevic]

MacArthur was actually much better politician then general. First he got surprised by Japanese air attack few hours after news of Pearl Harbour arrived. Defense of Phillipines dod not go great and he had to flee. Island hopping campaign was planned and executed at lower levels, with him being figurehead commander. And then in Korea, neither Soviet Union nor China could allow US troops on their border and anyway he overstepped mandate to restore pre war status quo. And yes, Soviets had nuke too by that time, and copy of B-29.

[kaposipal]

the issue is still the sustainability of a unified germany and a unified europe...without agreement on common standards...it does not work...

[Saneasianman]

And non German have to pack their belonging

[friedrichnietzsche]

She's right. It's Europa's own business. Europa should take care of it.

[aakashjha-hd]

how is that possible that a man become problem for europe as he prioritize his country over them

[mladenmatosevic]

So what is bigger interest for Germany? NATO in part of Ukraine or good relations with Russia?

[missourimongoose]

The freeloaders are finally going to have to pay there fair share like they should have from the start

[istvanszakacs]

Zo...the grand German Reich is shivering out of fear....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[kenwoodburn]

How did this matrix media garbage make my algorithm?

[RodrigoRojasMoraleda]

You cannot begin to grasp the enormous spending America dedicates to leading the Western world. Let’s set aside American industry, as that is quite evident. Consider the vast number of American taxpayers—the largest in the West and among the highest earners—who also bear one of the world’s heaviest income tax burdens. Yet, they receive a minimal fraction of the benefits that most EU countries provide. This immense allocation of resources is what sustains the USA’s global leadership. Without U.S. support, Europe—especially Germany—would likely have to sacrifice much of their social systems to even consider becoming independent of America’s protective umbrella.

This is the unvarnished truth—the rest is simply wishful daydreaming.

[patricialongo]

Americans war and live in poverty - Germans never once complained. Now you can have by being at war and living in poverty, too. We can be silent like you were. International socialism was the other choice. We understand you rejected that.

[MsNerdsRevenge]

1900 Galveston storm. German history in America is not honored.