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.
Each week, the ACG hosts a discussion with a journalist based in Germany on the topics making the headlines and shaping political discourse in Berlin. On February 7, the ACG hosted a Kaffeepause with opinion writer for Der Tagesspiegel Malte Lehming, who discussed what to expect from Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip to Washington and other breaking news from Berlin.
On February 1, the ACG and the Tennessee World Affairs Council hosted a discussion on Germany’s response to the growing Russian military presence on the Ukraine border with Ambassador John Kornblum, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, and Dr. Liana Fix, Resident Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
Each week, the ACG hosts a discussion with a journalist based in Germany on the topics making the headlines and shaping political discourse in Berlin. On January 31, the ACG hosted a Kaffeepause with Melissa Eddy, Berlin Correspondent for the New York Times. Among other topics, she discussed Germany’s response to growing tensions with Russia.
Last week a group of German parliamentarians visited Kyiv (and Warsaw) to have a look at the situation on the ground. Bundestag member Metin Hakverdi (SPD) was part of the delegation. On January 28, the American Council on Germany and the New York Office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung hosted a discussion with Mr. Hakverdi about the trip and about Germany’s position on the Ukraine crisis.
Nearly 50 days into the new government, we are already seeing tensions within the governing coalition over how to address challenges – ranging from pandemic response to tensions with Russia. On January 28, the American Council on Germany, Atlantik-Brücke, and the Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosted a discussion with former U.S. Ambassador to Berlin John B. Emerson and former Federal Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel. The discussion was moderated by Juliane Schäuble, U.S. Correspondent of Der Tagesspiegel.