by John B. Emerson and Sigmar Gabriel British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was once asked what had been the primary influence on his government when he held office. His response was: “Events, dear boy, events.” We are reminded of this as we watch tensions flare over the Russian troop build-up along the border with Ukraine and the international response. Governments are always confronted with unforeseen events, and these can serve as catalysts to shape policies and positions, but they can also be a litmus test of leadership. Barely 50 days into office, the new German government has been confronted with its first stress test – and its response has raised doubts about whether Germany is a reliable partner in facing international challenges. With a transatlanticist...
Good afternoon. First, let me say how honored I am by the presence of so many friends, colleagues, leaders across different communities here in Germany, and also leaders in the partnership that links our two countries. I’m grateful to all of you for being here, grateful for this opportunity as well to be at the Academy of Sciences and Humanities. I heard a little bit from Sigmar about the history, briefly walked the hallways, and I very much appreciate this hospitality. But it’s an institution with an extraordinary tradition of scholarship, discovery stretching back more than 300 years. And I understand that, among other luminaries, Albert Einstein was a member here, so I should probably let you know that my remarks today will include very...
Dear Members and Friends of the ACG, First and foremost: Let me wish you a happy and healthy new year! I hope that you were able to enjoy the holidays with family and friends – and that 2022 is off to a good start for you (despite the spread of the omicron variant). As we start a new year – the ACG’s 70th anniversary year – I want to thank you for your engagement and support during the past two years. With the development and distribution of vaccines, last January many of us had high hopes that things would get better, but 2021 did not unfold as many of us had hoped it would. Nevertheless, it was a very productive and busy year for the American...
The family of the late Dr. Richard M. Hunt, who passed away at age 93 in April 2020, has announced its intention to make a gift of $1 million to the American Council on Germany in his memory. Rick Hunt, a respected educator, statesman, and historian at Harvard University, worked tirelessly for more than 50 years to support the Council and its work to strengthen German-American relations. He was the longest-serving President and CEO of the Council (from 1972 to 1988). Rick Hunt began his association with the ACG in the late 1950s, serving on the Board from 1970 until his passing, and as Vice Chairman for 32 years. Before he passed away, Rick Hunt asked his family to honor the ACG with a memorial...
Over the weekend I had the opportunity to sit down and reflect on the events that unfolded last week in Washington, DC. After the annus horribilis 2020, there were high hopes that 2021 would be a better year. But, the developments during the first full week do not bode well. On Wednesday, we saw our democracy come under attack when the U.S. Capitol was stormed. This political crisis comes against the backdrop of an ongoing national public health emergency. On Thursday, the United States recorded more than 4,000 Covid-19 deaths in a single day, the highest one-day death toll since the beginning of the pandemic. And, on Friday the United States surpassed 300,000 daily coronavirus cases. The number – which roughly equates the population of Pittsburgh or...
