Common Ground Berlin

Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson hosts a special “town hall” in collaboration with the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation to commemorate the 60th anniversary of a speech that lasted less than 10 minutes and shook the world. Joining her in the studio and via Zoom to discuss why the speech still matters were: Johanna Ruediger, head of social media strategy at Deutsche Welle, the German network that provides j...

Millions of immigrants living in Germany should find it easier to become German citizens as the Bundestag prepares to vote on the long-awaited measure overhauling “Einbuergerung.” But as it turns out, the legal change to Germany’s citizenship law is only half the battle.  Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson explores the draft law and its obstacles with guests: Rachel Loxton , editor at The Local Europe an...

The German capital has long been a startup capital in Europe. But the global financial shakeup and supply chain disruptions hit Berlin’s startup scene hard. This year, with the market more or less expected to stabilize and supply chain problems easing, can Berlin’s startup scene make a comeback? Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson talks to Lukas Breitenbach , head of corporate communications at Berlin Par...

A conversation with Farnaz Fassihi of the New York Times and Azadeh Moshiri of the BBC News about the consequences of the “women, life, freedom” protests that exploded after Jina Masha Amini’s death and whether they can lead to lasting change. Dina Elsayed produced this episode. 

In this episode of “Transatlantic Takeaway,” hosts Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Rachel Tausendfreund delve into how Germany is fodder for the GOP’s campaign strategy for the 2024 elections with guests Majda Ruge, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and Sudha David-Wilp, Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund and director of its Berlin office. Dina Elsay...

What do host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and the Emmy-winning Anna Winger have in common? Find out the answer to that and many more questions in this episode about the Berlin-based creator of the Netflix blockbusters “Transatlantic” and “Unorthodox.” You’ll also hear about the stories behind the series and its colorful characters, including Dagobert the dog! (Recorded on April 18, 2023). The episode is...

Excerpts from our recent live show at the Selina Hotel Mitte in central Berlin. Joining host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson on stage was Heinrich Stroessenreuther, who helped draft dozens of bicycle referendums across Germany and founded Changing Cities, German Zero and more recently KlimaUnion, a grassroots movement within the CDU and CSU parties seeking Germany’s transformation into the first climate-ne...

Berlin’s new mayor is widely expected to be conservative Kai Wegner. He would be the first Christian Democrat to hold the post in two decades and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), who would be junior partners in Wegner’s government, vow that they and the CDU will get a lot done.  But is that even possible? And can this new government regain the trust of Berlin voters? Host Soraya Sarhaddi Ne...

Last month before the Bundestag, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hammered home the need for a defense-capable Europe. His speech marked the anniversary of his groundbreaking pledge to deliver a “Zeitenwende,” or sea change, ending Germany’s long-standing, military-averse policies. But have Scholz and his government delivered? And what impact is it having on the Russian war in Ukraine? Hosts Soraya S...

Germany’s colonial history isn’t something many Germans like to talk about – Some argue they weren’t as “bad” as other European colonialists or that focusing on German colonialism draws attention away from the horrors perpetrated by the Nazis during World War II. But critics of German silence over its colonial past argue those narratives ignore the impact Germany had on the places it colonized and...

Some 10 million non-citizens living in Germany are unable to vote. In Berlin, the number is even higher – 1 of every 5 residents. The voting exclusion in Germany extends to local issues, even though all residents – regardless of citizenship – are subject to the same taxes, fees and laws. Is it time to allow the growing number of non-citizens in Germany a say at the ballot box? Or would that spark...

Led by a prince, a judge and a retired paratrooper, the plot was as bizarre as it was chilling – Kill Chancellor Olaf Scholz and overthrow Germany’s government.   So was the plot foiled during a counter-terrorism sweep last December a fringe one? Or is it the tip of an extremist iceberg that threatens Germany?  Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson talks with Der Spiegel National Security Reporter Fidelius...

In this first Transatlantic Takeaway with co-hosts Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Rachel Tausendfreund, German Marshall Fund senior fellow Daniel Hegedus and GMF Paris office director Martin Quencez delve into what we can expect in 2023, including from EU relations with the U.S. and with Russia; from the war in Ukraine, and from the world’s likely next nuclear power, Iran.

In our last episode of 2022, we tackle a topic that is timely, namely rail travel! Except these days, traveling by train in Europe is anything but timely. Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson explores what’s behind the chaos with Hidden Europe Magazine co-founder Nicky Gardner , author of Europe by Rail: the Definitive Guide, and communications professor and blogger Jon Worth . His grassroots “Cross Border...

In this first anniversary episode of Transatlantic Takeaway, a Common Ground Berlin and German Marshall Fund of the United States collaboration, hosts Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Rachel Tausendfreund talk about the sweeping 10-month-long war Russia is waging in Ukraine and its impact on Europe and the United States with GMF Guido Goldman Distinguished Scholar for Geostrategy Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff...

Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and her guests debate a much anticipated change to an outdated German law that would allow Americans and other non-EU nationals who live in Germany to keep their original citizenship if they choose to become Germans. But will the updated law lessen the hurdles to German citizenship? This week’s guests are: Immigration lawyer Julie Schaefer , whose practice is in Dusseld...

Scores of nations are attending the 27th annual COP in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm-el Sheikh. Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson explores what the international gathering will deliver and whether climate diplomacy is enough to keep the planet from the point of no return, especially when leaders of some of the biggest polluters skip such summits. Her guests: Andrzej Ancygier, Senior Energy and Clima...

Although a record turnout is expected on Nov. 8th, opinion surveys show many Americans no longer trust U.S. elections nor their government. Many Republican voters still embrace the “Big Lie” that President Trump had the 2020 election stolen from him. So what does the growing mistrust, President Joe Biden’s low ratings and the worst inflation in four decades mean for the midterm elections and Ameri...

In Common Ground Berlin’s international debut at Podcastfestival 2022 , host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Mick ter Reehorst of Are We Europe broke delve into why the far right is thriving and what role the media and internet play in their propaganda with guests:  Nina Horaczek , Viennese journalist whose work on far right movements was shortlisted for the 2019 European Press Prize; Bharath Ganesh ,...

An insightful talk on Twitter Spaces about the current state of inflation in Europe and what the future holds for people and businesses, especially in Berlin.  Featuring Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and guests James Kantero of EU Scream podcast, Bloomberg tech reporter Aggi Cantril and Ted Knudsen, who co-hosts the podcast Spassbremse . This show was produced by Dina Elsayed. 

In this special episode of Common Ground Berlin, host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson interviews her favorite comedian ahead of his debut in Germany in September. They talk about performing in Europe and what his mom thinks of his comedy; his deep love of politics, and growing up Iranian in the United States. If there’s something you don’t know about Maz Jobrani, the answer might be in this episode! To cat...

In this episode of Transatlantic Takeaway, host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson examines whether plans announced six months ago by Chancellor Olaf Scholz to revolutionize Germany’s defense strategy are actually happening and if Ukraine can still count on Germany to stand against Russia.  Her guests are Sudha David-Wilp, GMF Senior Transatlantic Fellow and deputy director of the Berlin office and Anna Sauer...

“Poor, but sexy” Berlin was famous for its cheap rents, but these days, the capital city is the second most expensive in Germany and among the 50 priciest in the world. Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson explores Berlin’s residential crisis brought on by a shortage of housing and inflation and what cities in Europe may offer a solution with guests: Barbara Steenbergen, head of the EU liaison office of th...

Times are hard, but is money provided unconditionally by the government the best way to ease the burden? Pilots in three federal states are planned soon to test the feasibility of a universal basic income in Germany and host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson talks about that and the German plan to overhaul social and unemployment benefits with guests: Alexandra Borchardt , veteran journalist and media consul...

Fussball may be king in Germany, but Deutschland is also said to be the biggest market outside of North America for a different football game – the American kind! It’s why the NFL decided to launch its new season in Munich this year, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play the Seattle Seahawks. Common Ground Berlin’s Dina Elsayed takes you into the competitive world of American football in Deutsc...