What’s Behind Germany’s Querdenker Movement?

The intensity and scope of protests against the government measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in Germany has surprised many observers. Self-stylized "lateral thinkers" have forged a coalition that encompasses far-right extremists but also anti-vaxxers who historically have aligned with the left. At both ends of the political spectrum, protesters seem to share a...

Brexit: What Does the Deal Mean for Europe and the United States?

Please join us for a discussion on the consequences of the Brexit deal and what this means for the United Kingdom's relations with the European Union and the United States. American Council on Germany's Young Leaders Program is pleased to be hosting this event with the Council on Foreign Relations' Stephen M. Kellen Term Member Program. Speakers:...

Resilience and Adaptation: International Relations after COVID

As countries around the world struggle to roll out vaccines to combat the coronavirus crisis, the pandemic is not the only global challenge on the international agenda. The common issues facing Europe and the United States are daunting. They include climate change, migration, democracy and multilateralism, international trade, as well as security and defense. How will we address a host of complex global issues and common threats in the months and years...

Will Central Bank Digital Currencies Become a Reality? A View from the Bundesbank

The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) as it has prompted millions of people to turn to cashless payments. But, efforts to create CBDCs is nothing new. Central banks have been exploring how CBDCs could become a reality since Facebook’s efforts to launch its own cryptocurrency Libra raised the...

The Arab Spring: Unfinished Business Ten Years Later

Starting with a street vendor in Tunisia, the “Arab Spring” protests took over much of the Middle East and Northern Africa ten years ago as people fought against oppressive governments. Although many observers and analysts believed that this would be a turning point for the region, high hopes turned to despair. A decade after citizens...