DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

Germany is famously "under the US’ nuclear umbrella"-creating a dependency that some are now calling risky. What exactly does that mean? How would US help protect Germany in a worst-case scenario? What options does Germany have to move toward a European umbrella? Host Nina Haase talks with her guests about Germany’s deep dependencies on the US -from NATO cooperation to nuclear deterrence.

With Germany and India both shaken by Trump 2.0, they’re now trying to deepen ties from business to defense – with Friedrich Merz greeted to much fanfare by Narendra Modi in the Indian Prime Minister’s home city. But is this for real, or are the good vibes just for show? Find out in this edition of Berlin Briefing with Richard Walker, Biresh Banerjee, Michaela Küfner, and Sandra Petersmann.

Headlines coming out of the US shook the world in the first week of 2026: the military operation in Venezuela and Trump's talk of seizing Greenland. DW Berlin Briefing host Nina Haase and her guests, Michaela Küfner (DW) and Thorsten Benner (Global Public Policy Institute) discuss whether Germany's relative silence is strategic restraint or helplessness in the face of US assertiveness.

2025 was the most successful year yet for Germany's AfD, or Alternative for Germany. It came second in national elections and recently topped some opinion polls. Now in 2026, the party could win power in state elections for the first time. In this Berlin Briefing, Richard Walker and Matthew Moore analyze what could be another year of breakthroughs with Kate Brady of the Washington Post.

2025 exposed Germany's dependence on China, as a source of rare earths and a market and production site for its industry. Berlin says it wants to "de-risk" the relationship. But is it serious? Or is it in too deep? Richard Walker sat down with experts Noah Barkin and Clifford Coonan to analyze Germany's options.

Germany’s chancellor demanded a breakthrough. The EU summit delivered mixed results: Ukraine funding secured, Mercosur delayed. Is Friedrich Merz cementing Germany’s leadership—or exposing Europe to unnecessary risks? Berlin Briefing host Nina Haase, DW Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner and Daniel Goffart (WirtschaftsWoche) unpack the stakes, the style, and what this means for 2026.

Could it really happen? Why you shouldn’t hold your breath for a quick ceasefire in Ukraine: In this episode of Berlin Briefing, host Michaela Küfner discusses the current flurry of diplomacy between Washington, Berlin, Kyiv, and Moscow over Trump’s revised plan for Ukraine, and what the new US security strategy means for Europeans and the future of the transatlantic partnership.

The far-right AfD has launched ‘Generation Germany,’ a new youth wing aiming to groom future party leaders. In this Berlin Briefing episode, host Nina Haase and journalists Matthew Moore and Hans Pfeifer unpack its founding, the protests, ties to extremist networks, and what it means for Germany’s political landscape.

"Russia’s wish list"- that’s how many in Washington and Berlin labelled Washington’s initial 28-point plan toward peace in Ukraine, when it first became public. DW’s Nina Haase and Michaela Küfner discuss with Dominik Tolksdorf (DGAP) how a total sell-out of Europe was prevented, and how deep this latest crack in US-German relations now runs in the transatlantic alliance.

As negotiations over a 28-point plan for Ukraine intensify, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warns of a "deep threat" to Europe’s security architecture. Merz outlines Europe’s leverage, Africa’s growing role in global politics, and speaks about his hopes that China could push Russia toward ending the war.

18 young conservative MPs have rebelled against the pension reform - threatening the coalition between conservatives and social democrats. Is this Friedrich Merz’s biggest stability test yet? DW’s Michaela Küfner, Nina Haase and Steven Beardsley break down the demographics, the economics, and the political drama behind Germany’s pension showdown.

It’s a deal: Germany’s coalition has agreed to restart military conscription from January 2026. DW's Berlin Briefing hosts Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase speak to Marcel Bohnert, deputy head of the Bundeswehr Association and Quentin Gärtner from Germany’s school pupils' association about the new model that will make it compulsory for 18-year-old men to undergo an armed forces physical test. 

Germany’s conservatives are in turmoil after Foreign Minister Wadephul’s visit to Syria. His remarks about the country’s dire living conditions — and the unlikelihood of large-scale returns — have sparked backlash within his own party. Is the push for repatriation grounded in reality — or is it just political theater? Nina Haase breaks it down with Daniel Thym, Aya Ibrahim, and Michaela Küfner.

What does it take to get Europe defense-ready — and how soon must it act? In this Berlin Briefing from the Berlin Global Dialogue, DW’s Michaela Küfner speaks with EU Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius and DW’s Alexandra von Nahmen about Europe’s response to Russian provocations, the urgency of military preparedness, and whether EU member states are truly united in facing the threat.

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz just said that the world is witnessing 'the provisional end of a rules-based multilateral order.' So, is Germany abandoning its role as a champion of international law? DW’s Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner breaks down the global power shift with Thorsten Benner, Director of the Global Public Policy Institute, and Ines Pohl, DW Washington Bureau Chief.

Monday saw a dramatic public hearing where the heads of Germany's top intelligence agencies warned: "We're already in the fire." Facing sabotage, hybrid warfare, and Russian espionage, they're asking for more powers and fewer controls—and hinting at a shift toward offensive tactics.

Germany's AfD is knocking on Washington's door—and Trump's team is answering. Over the last few months, AfD politicians have met with US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, and received open support from Trump allies during Germany's election. In this episode, we ask: Why is the AfD seeking US backing? Where do the AfD and the MAGA movement align—and where do they clash?

What’s behind Russia’s latest provocations against the West? What should NATO’s strategy be? In this special episode of Berlin Briefing at the Warsaw Security Forum, DW’s Nina Haase and Richard Walker speak with Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur and Michael Carpenter, Senior Fellow at the IISS, about NATO’s dilemma towards Russia.

157 UN member states have recognized Palestine as a state. Not Germany. Or not yet? The German government says it supports a two-state solution, but it insists that recognition must come at the end of a peace process—not before. So what's standing in the way? To unpack Germany’s delicate balancing act, host Nina Haase is joined by DW’s Sarah Hofmann, Aya Ibrahim and Michaela Küfner.

Germany’s social security system is under pressure - from rising costs, an aging population, and political deadlock. In this episode, DW’s Michaela Küfner discusses with Prof. Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln (WZB), and DW’s Matthew Moore - whether Germany can still afford its welfare state in the long term and whether Friedrich Merz’s coalition will agree on meaningful reforms.

A “serious threat to peace” – that’s how Poland sees Russia’s largest drone incursion into its air space so far. German Chancellor Merz agrees. But what will NATO, what will the EU do in response? DW's political quartet including host Michaela Küfner, Nina Haase, Roman Goncharenko and Teri Schultz explore what options NATO and Europe now have.

India and Germany have been hit hard by Trump – with India blasted by super-high tariffs and Germany bending over backwards to keep Trump happy. For both countries, closer relations with each other could be part of the answer. Could Berlin and Delhi finally make this happen? Or will Russia or Pakistan get in the way? Richard Walker, Biresh Banerjee and Sandra Petersmann discuss in this edition.

The German government, facing rising tensions from Russia, China, Iran, and other actors, has approved a National Security Council (NSC) under Chancellor Merz’s new strategy to streamline security policy and crisis decisions. In this Berlin Briefing episode, DW’s Nina Haase discusses the NSC’s role with Marcus Pindur (German public radio) and Sarah Bressan (GPPi).

In this episode, Trump’s former National Security Advisor John Bolton tells DW’s top correspondents Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase why the question of security guarantees for Ukraine is as urgent as it is spooky for Germany and Europe. This episode was recorded on August 21, less than 24 hours before FBI agents searched John Bolton's Maryland home.

Germany’s new government came in 100 days ago pledging to master the biggest challenges facing the country: a stagnant economy, weak defense, and deep divisions over immigration. Above all, it promised to end the infighting that blew up the previous government. So is it working? In this episode, Richard Walker, Michaela Küfner, and Stephan Detjen break down the start of the Merz era.