The spread of COVID-19 and the ensuing global lock-down as governments try to slow the spread of the corona virus has tested individuals and institutions around the world. Since March of 2020, the ACG has stepped up its digital programming by hosting webinars and video discussions which bring together policy makers and thought leaders from both sides of the Atlantic to discuss some of the key issues shaping transatlantic relations in an unprecedented time. In addition to organizing events on its own, the ACG has also partnered with other organizations such as 1014 and Atlantik-Brücke to launch new series designed to reach beyond the ACG community.
The recent release of the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy marks a significant moment in U.S. foreign and defense policy, outlining how the administration views the global threat environment and America’s role within it. The strategy addresses great-power competition, alliances, economic security, and the use of American power at a time of heightened geopolitical tension – from ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East to strategic rivalry with China. On December 18, the ACG and 1014 hosted a virtual discussion with leading foreign policy and national security experts Nico Lange and Robin Quinville, who unpacked the key priorities and assumptions of the new strategy – and the implications for the transatlantic partnership.
As political tides shift across Europe and the United States, a new constellation of right-wing parties and movements is reshaping debates about democracy, sovereignty, and the future of the transatlantic relationship. These actors increasingly appear to draw inspiration from one another – borrowing rhetoric, digital strategies, and policy agendas. Their growing coordination raises pressing questions about the resilience of democratic institutions and practices – as well as the evolving nature of transatlantic cooperation. On December 17, the ACG held a virtual discussion with Juliane Schäuble, U.S. Correspondent for Die Zeit and co-author of the new book Die Allianz der Neuen Rechten (The Alliance of the New Right) – which she wrote together with journalist Annett Meiritz. Ms. Schäuble discussed how these networks operate, what is driving their appeal, and how they are influencing mainstream politics in Europe and beyond.
The ACG regularly hosts discussions with a journalist based in Berlin on the topics making the headlines and shaping political discourse. On December 15, the ACG held a Kaffeepause with ACG Young Leader alum Matthias Deiß, Deputy Director of ARD’s Capital City Studio in Berlin and Deputy Editor-in-Chief.
Efforts to end the war in Ukraine have gained new momentum in recent days, spurred by several newly developed peace proposals circulating among key international stakeholders. As battlefield dynamics evolve and diplomatic channels cautiously reopen, policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic are reassessing what a viable settlement might look like – and what risks or opportunities these emerging plans present. On December 5, 2025, the ACG held a discussion with ACG Board member Lieutenant General Ben Hodges (ret.) to assess the unfolding events, examine the substance and strategic implications of the latest peace initiatives, and explore the prospects for a durable and just peace in Ukraine.
The ACG regularly hosts discussions with a journalist based in Berlin on the topics making the headlines and shaping political discourse. On November 24, the ACG held a Kaffeepause with Malte Lehming, Columnist for Der Tagesspiegel.