DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

Democracy won. But who really holds the power?

The US midterms showed voters still shape politics. But can democracy thrive when wealth and tech concentrate power? DW's Nina Haase and Michaela Küfner discuss with acti

Europe is celebrating Trump's defeat. Should it be?

Trump’s midterms setback raises big questions for Germany, Europe and the world. Max Hofmann is joined by Michaela Küfner, Ines Pohl and Daniel Gerlach to unpack the glob

What the US Midterms mean for Europe (Interview with Peter Beyer)

After the US Midterm elections, Berlin Briefing's Max Hofmann talked to Peter Beyer, Germany's former Coordinator for Transatlantic Cooperation (2018-2022) to discuss Ger

Can Germany's pivot to Asia end its reliance on...China?

As Chancellor Merz visits Asia, Germany seeks to "de-risk" from China. On this Berlin Briefing episode, DW's Giulia Saudelli, Steven Beardsley and Nina Haase discuss trad

Berlin Briefing recommends: Call Sign Condor

DW’s Max Hofmann speaks with DW correspondent Carolina Chimoy about her new podcast series, Call Sign Condor, which follows Latin American soldiers fighting in Ukraine. L

If Europe wants independence, why does it keep turning to the US?

Europe wants growth, innovation and strategic autonomy. But can it become more competitive without becoming more dependent on the US? Max Hofmann speaks with Cecilia Malm

From intelligence scandals to Russia’s shadow war:  Ex-Estonian defense chief Hanno Pevkur discusses Europe’s security challenges

At the Warsaw Security Forum, Nina Haase spoke with the ex-Estonian defense chief about Germany’s recent spy scandal and Russia. The bigger question: How can intelligence

Former German Minister Habeck: Russia remains the biggest threat

From the Warsaw Security Forum, Nina Haase and Alexandra von Nahmen speak with Robert Habeck on Russia, the Arctic’s strategic role and democratic resilience.

Former BND head arrested: Can Germany still be trusted with secrets?

As Germany's former spy chief is accused of selling state secrets, Berlin Briefing looks at the allegations, the fallout for the BND intelligence agency & the wider impac

Can Ukraine still count on Germany?

Friedrich Merz says support for Ukraine is a matter of national interest. This week's Berlin Briefing asks whether a far-right AfD surge and Russia's return to the negoti

Germany's great divide: Is Friedrich Merz losing the center?

In this Berlin Briefing, Nina Haase, Michaela Küfner and Max Hofmann discuss the far-right AfD party's ambitions, why Berlin's Left Party win is no Mamdani moment, and wh

Germany's security gamble: More than an arms deal?

Is Germany buying security or dependence? This week on Berlin Briefing: Michaela Küfner, Nina Haase and Ines Pohl unpack Germany's latest US weapons deal, NATO's future a

AfD and Russia: Why Saxony-Anhalt matters for Germany

The far-right AfD won a record 44% in Saxony-Anhalt. Is this a regional protest vote, or a broader shift in German politics? DW's Nina Haase, Max Hofmann, Michaela Küfner

Saxony-Anhalt elections: Interview with AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund

Ahead of Saxony-Anhalt's state elections, Berlin Briefing's Max Hofmann talks to Matthew Moore about his interview with AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund and the radical

Not at war, yet under attack: Germany's Russia challenge

Germany has officially blamed Russia for a suspected hybrid attack at Leipzig airport. Hosts Nina Haase and Max Hofmann discuss what that means for Germany and NATO with

Berlin Briefing #100: Germany, Europe & the world – Your questions, our answers

For our 100th episode, DW’s Nina Haase, Michaela Küfner and Max Hofmann have come together with colleagues to answer the toughest questions that you've sent us and reflec

Saxony-Anhalt elections: Interview with CDU candidate Sven Schulze

Ahead of the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin Briefing host Michaela Küfner interviewed Sven Schulze, state premier and the CDU's candidate.

Saxony-Anhalt: An election that could change Germany? | Berlin Briefing Podcast

Could a regional vote by less than 3% of the German electorate reshape national politics and redefine the center parties' response to the far right? The AfD leads polls a

Germany's climate crisis: Why politics struggle to keep up

Germany is heating and drying up faster than ever. Yet climate change is not high on the agenda of many politicians. Together with sustainability researcher Maja Göpel a

“Was it Russia?” Is the Leipzig drone attack part of a hybrid war?

DW’s Michaela Küfner asks security analyst Hans-Jakob Schindler, disinformation expert Julia Smirnova and DW Riga Bureau Chief Juri Rescheto to piece together what we kno