Deutsche Welle DW Berlin Briefing

DW Berlin Briefing

From Trump's victory, the German government collapse, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to evolving European security dynamics, this video podcast explores how these events impact Germany and the wider region.

Berlin Briefing is an English-language video podcast that dives deep into how Germany - the world’s third-largest economy - is navigating major geopolitical challenges.

It’s smart, informative, and engaging. An essential Berlin Briefing on what’s happening in Germany and Europe, what’s coming next, and why it matters - whether you’re in Berlin, New York, or anywhere in between - with a hint of Berlin’s distinct energy to keep things lively.

Join our three hosts, Nina Haase, Michaela Küfner and Richard Walker,as they offer you a unique perspective on Germany’s role in today’s rapidly changing world.

Berlin Briefing is tailored for English-speaking listeners who are curious about whether German democracy can withstand the current stress test - or whether the far-right will gain ground. Whether you’re a student, think tanker, journalist, or a current/future lawmaker, this vodcast provides essential insights from Germany.
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16 Episodes

Germany's Climate Crisis: Why Politics Struggle To Keep Up

Germany is heating and drying up faster than ever. Yet climate change is not high on the agenda of many politicians. Together with sustainability researcher Maja Göpel and SPD climate spokesperson Jakob Blankenburg, DW’s Berlin Bureau Chief Max Hofmann examines the growing gap between climate reality and political action and…
21 Aug 36 min

“Was it Russia?” Is the Leipzig drone attack part of a hybrid war?

DW’s Michaela Küfner asks security analyst Hans-Jakob Schindler, disinformation expert Julia Smirnova and DW Riga Bureau Chief Juri Rescheto to piece together what we know about the drone incident at Leipzig airport. How exposed is Germany to what the government admits are “daily attacks in a hybrid war”? And what,…
14 Aug 31 min

Is Germany's pension reform reopening the East-West divide?

A landmark pension reform is triggering backlash from eastern Germany and exposing deep divisions within Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party. Why is Germany's pension system under pressure? Why the resistance? And could this become a serious threat to the government itself? In this episode of Berlin Briefing, Max Hofmann and Michaela…
6 Aug 33 min

Germany's summer crisis: A cabinet reshuffle gone wrong?

An ad-hoc cabinet reshuffle backfired on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. With political egos flying and hurt feelings all around, could inner-party frustration threaten government stability? DW's Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase separate political drama from the facts with Reuters' Chief Correspondent Andreas Rinke: Is Merz better at strengthening his government…
31 Jul 34 min

Merz Under Pressure: What the Berlin Pride Attack Changes for Germany

The attack on Berlin Pride has triggered a political debate. Calls for tougher security measures are getting louder, and pressure is mounting on Friedrich Merz's government amid cabinet reshuffling. DW's Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase discuss with government advisor on extremism Rebecca Schönenbach: What does this moment mean for Germany's…
28 Jul 33 min

Burnham's German plan: Why Britain's new PM is looking to Europe

Brexit was supposed to pull Britain away from Europe. Yet 10 years on, Britain's new prime minister is championing ideas that look strikingly familiar to Germans – ideas which Berlin itself is starting to question. This Berlin Briefing deciphers the similarities between Andy Burnham and Germany‘s chancellor; how London may…
22 Jul 41 min

What do war games reveal about Europe’s security future?

What can a war game tell us about a real-world security crisis? In this episode of Berlin Briefing, DW’s Nina Haase speaks with Carolina Drüten, International Security Correspondent at WELT and creator of the podcast Ernstfall, based on a public war game simulating a Russian challenge to NATO's eastern flank…
17 Jul 46 min

Boost or bust the AfD? Inside Friedrich Merz’ gamble to reform Germany

Can German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stop the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany? Germany's coalition government has launched sweeping reforms on the economy, pensions and welfare. In this episode of Berlin Briefing, DW’s Michaela Küfner and Matthew Moore examine with economist Marcel Fratzscher whether Germany's reform gamble can reverse…
8 Jul 34 min

250 Years of USA: Where Germany needs to pivot now

As the United States marks 250 years of independence, Germany is confronting an uncomfortable question: can it still rely on its most important ally? Former German ambassador to Washington Emily Haber joins DW's Nina Haase to discuss the future of transatlantic relations and how Europe may have to forge new…
3 Jul 36 min

NATO under pressure: Can Germany be the European leader?

In this Berlin Briefing special from the Global Media Forum, DW’s Nina Haase and Max Hofmann are joined by NATO expert Gerlinde Niehus and Maximilian Mayer from the University of Bonn to discuss: where does Germany hold real leverage and how can it help Europe become a strategic power?
26 Jun 31 min

Rewriting the past? Inside the AfD's history agenda

Berlin Briefing looks at how Germany remembers the Holocaust and why it's being targeted by the far-right AfD. Björn Höcke rejects German collective guilt, blaming only the Nazi dictatorship. With Melanie Amann, author of "Fear for Germany: The truth about the AfD" and social scientist Jakob Schergaut, host Michaela Küfner…
19 Jun 36 min

World Cup 2026: Can Germany’s football team save the government?

As the World Cup kicks off, pundits in Germany are asking: Could success on the pitch help the coalition bounce back? In Berlin Briefing, host Max Hofmann discusses with DW’s Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner, sports and politics expert Florian Bauer, and DW sports reporter Jonathan Harding whether this is…
12 Jun 35 min

Inside Germany's big UN defeat

Germany just suffered one of its biggest diplomatic setbacks in decades: losing a UN Security Council seat it thought was practically guaranteed. In this episode of Berlin Briefing, host Nina Haase and her guests, DW's Max Hofmann and UN expert Myriel Marthez, take you inside the vote, inside the backroom…
5 Jun 34 min

Will Germany stand up to the big tech bros?

Berlin Briefing host Michaela Küfner unpacks the Pope's call for responsible AI regulation and asks what Germany’s plans are to avoid a sell-out to big tech interests. She is joined by tech regulation expert Matthias Kettemann from the Leibniz Institute for Media Research and DW's tech policy correspondent Maximiliane Koschyk.
29 May 34 min

What the AfD would do in power

The AfD is surging in the polls - in some regions, it's way out in front of Germany’s traditional parties. But despite record support, the far-right party still has almost no real executive power. Why is that? And could that soon change? In this episode host Max Hofmann discusses with…
22 May 42 min

Putin’s Contradictions: Attack Ukraine, Talk Deals, Propose Schröder

As Russia launches a fresh wave of attacks across Ukraine and the Kremlin signals it could pursue economic deals with the United States — under certain conditions — Vladimir Putin is also floating a controversial idea: former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator for Europe. In this episode, host…
15 May 28 min