The Atlantik-Bruecke and Aspen Berlin invited ACG President Dr. Steven E. Sokol to discuss the U.S. election with journalist Christiane Meier and Professor Christian Lammert. The discussion is in German. Listen here
After World War II, the United States and Germany went from being mortal enemies to close friends with the same fundamental values and interests. And while the relationship has been in a deep freeze under US President Donald Trump, it can and must be revived. by Ambassador John B. Emerson and Sigmar Gabriel. BERLIN – For four years, US President Donald Trump’s administration demonstrated that it had little use for alliances. But the fact remains that the US-German partnership is indispensable and will remain indispensable. The “2+4” negotiations that reunited East and West Germany after decades of separation by the Iron Curtain are but one example of how Americans and Germans have stood shoulder to shoulder throughout the post-World War II period. As in any...
Deutschland und Amerika verbindet eine wichtige Partnerschaft. Es reicht aber nicht aus, nur die transatlantische Erfolgsgeschichte zu beschwören. Ein Gastbeitrag von John B. Emerson and Sigmar Gabriel Der 30. Jahrestag der Deutschen Einheit hat uns auch daran erinnert, wie wichtig die deutsch-amerikanische Partnerschaft war und ist. Denn ohne das Vertrauen der Vereinigten Staaten wäre die Skepsis vieler unserer europäischen Nachbarn vermutlich nicht oder nur weit schwieriger zu überwinden gewesen. Wie in jeder Beziehung gab es Höhen und Tiefen. Unsere enge Bindung beruht aber nicht nur auf Geschichte und Sentimentalität: Wir verfolgen gemeinsame Interessen und Ziele und stehen für dieselben Werte. Unsere Verfassungen beruhen auf der Überzeugung, dass alle Menschen frei und gleich sind und dass dieses Recht auf Freiheit und Selbstverwirklichung unveräußerlich ist. Freie Wahlen,...
The American Council on Germany is deeply saddened by the passing of Director Emeritus Brent Scowcroft, a force in U.S. foreign policy for four decades who served as the National Security Advisor to both Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush. He was the only National Security Advisor to serve two different administrations, and he was instrumental in the United States’ role in the unification of Germany. He was 95. Lieutenant General Scowcroft was an ACG Board member for well over a decade and was then named Director Emeritus. One of the country’s leading experts on international policy, he was a guiding hand in President Bush’s policy regarding German unification. He helped President Bush craft a speech in 1989 that gave a pivotal signal in...
We are at a very precarious moment in our history. The unconscionable killing of George Floyd almost two weeks ago has sparked the worst nationwide racial upheaval in 50 years. It has unleashed deep-rooted anger and pain over the longstanding racial injustice in our country. The current charged environment serves as a call to action. While the news has been dominated by reports about unacceptable violence instigated by a variety of actors, it is heartening to see so many people of different colors and faiths coming together (notwithstanding concerns about social distancing) to march peacefully for change, as well as police officers in some communities taking a knee with protesters in common cause. The civil rights crisis playing out in communities across the country is just...
