Shows / DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Berlin Briefing has been named Best Political Podcast 2026 by the Podcast Publisher Awards - thank you! Every week we break down how events like Russia's war in Ukraine and European security shifts are shaping Germany - and the world. Whether you’re a student, journalist, or policymaker, hosts Nina Haase, Michaela Küfner, and Max Hofmann and their guests deliver the insights you need to understand where Germany is headed and why it matters, with a hint of Berlin's distinct energy. Subscribe to…
Episodes
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Is Europe united against Russia’s provocations? Race against time
What does it take to get Europe defense-ready — and how soon must it act? In this Berlin Briefing from the Berlin Global Dialogue, DW’s Michaela Küfner speaks…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Global power shift: Trump, Xi and the end of rules-based order?
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz just said that the world is witnessing 'the provisional end of a rules-based multilateral order.' So, is Germany abandoning…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
"Will Germany Get Its Own James Bond?"
Monday saw a dramatic public hearing where the heads of Germany's top intelligence agencies warned: "We're already in the fire." Facing sabotage, hybrid…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
AfD meets MAGA: What's behind the far-right alliance?
Germany's AfD is knocking on Washington's door—and Trump's team is answering. Over the last few months, AfD politicians have met with US officials, including…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Is NATO doing Enough? Breaking down Russia’s latest tests against the West
What’s behind Russia’s latest provocations against the West? What should NATO’s strategy be? In this special episode of Berlin Briefing at the Warsaw Security…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Why Germany won't recognize Palestine (yet)
157 UN member states have recognized Palestine as a state. Not Germany. Or not yet? The German government says it supports a two-state solution, but it insists…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Why Germany needs to reform its social security system
Germany’s social security system is under pressure - from rising costs, an aging population, and political deadlock. In this episode, DW’s Michaela Küfner…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Will Europe stand up to Putin's latest provocation?
A “serious threat to peace” – that’s how Poland sees Russia’s largest drone incursion into its air space so far. German Chancellor Merz agrees. But what will…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
The Trump effect: Why Germany and India are getting closer
India and Germany have been hit hard by Trump – with India blasted by super-high tariffs and Germany bending over backwards to keep Trump happy. For both…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Is Germany changing its strategic thinking? New security council explained
The German government, facing rising tensions from Russia, China, Iran, and other actors, has approved a National Security Council (NSC) under Chancellor…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Why Europe shouldn’t get too excited over Trump’s peace drive
In this episode, Trump’s former National Security Advisor John Bolton tells DW’s top correspondents Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase why the question of security…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
The Merz era: What has he achieved? Where is he failing?
Germany’s new government came in 100 days ago pledging to master the biggest challenges facing the country: a stagnant economy, weak defense, and deep…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Is mandatory military service on its way back in Germany?
The German government says it aims to build up Europe’s strongest conventional army, but is facing a shortage of personnel. Conscription was suspended in 2011…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
EU-US trade deal: Disaster for the German economy?
In Germany there’s massive criticism of the new US-EU trade agreement, with opponents saying it’s deeply unfair. If that’s true, why did Europe sign it? Can…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
How the far-right AfD fuelled a campaign of division
The deliberate spread of false information just handed the far right a big win. The vote on a new set of constitutional court judges was postponed. One…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
How a routine vote blew up German politics
Germany’s coalition is grappling with its first crisis, with infighting over the nomination of a new judge to its highest court that has exploded with culture…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
'Helping Ukraine defeat Russia is doable' - Estonia's prepared, not scared
There are fresh doubts about whether the US President and Europe are on the same page on Ukraine. Why is Europe not using frozen Russian assets? And how…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Why is Poland introducing controls on its border with Germany?
Poland will impose temporary border checks with Germany in response to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's tougher migration stance, which has led Germany to conduct…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
What Trump’s power over Europe really means
In a historic week for Europe, the NATO alliance agreed to a major defense spending boost - raising the goal to 5% of GDP. Meanwhile, Secretary General Rutte…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Bolton: Iran could become Trump's next TACO moment
US President Trump's former national security advisor John Bolton checked in with Berlin Briefing's hosts. Bolton explained why he doesn't believe Trump will…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
How ready are Germans to defend Europe?
Half of Germans back Chancellor Merz's pledge to spend 5% of GDP on defense. And the other half?! And how comfortable are Germany's European partners with the…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Why Germans are relieved after Merz’s Oval Office debut
Friedrich Merz was bracing for a bust-up on his first visit to the Oval Office since becoming German chancellor. But the first Merz-Trump meeting turned out to…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Why is Germany toughening its tone on Israel now?
When Germany's Chancellor speaks out on international law violations by Israel, it signals a shift. We explore Germany’s evolving stance on Israel, and how…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Stuck between Trump and Putin: Can Merz lead?
How did Germany’s newly elected chancellor debut as a peacemaker in Europe after his visit to Kyiv alongside fellow European leaders? Can he lead while caught…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Why socialism is making a surprise comeback in Germany
While the far-right AfD has seized global attention, the far left of German politics is also making gains. The Left Party was the #1 choice for first-time…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Power shift in Germany: Who are the new political players?
Who are the power brokers in the new German government? DW’s Michaela Küfner breaks down who Friedrich Merz has chosen for his new cabinet. Together with DW’s…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Why Ukraine can't sign off on Trump's 'deal'
Is Crimea the key to peace in Ukraine? On today’s episode, we break down Donald Trump’s claim that President Zelenskyy is prolonging the war by resisting calls…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Can Germany cope with Xi and Trump at the same time?
Germany’s incoming government will face a geopolitical nightmare from Day 1. Stuck between a hostile White House and a China which threatens Germany’s crucial…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Will Merz's coalition deal do the economic trick?
Germany's likely next government has published its much-awaited coalition agreement. The political marriage document between Friedrich Merz's conservative…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Merz’s migration gamble: Can Germany’s leader-in-waiting deliver change?
Migration is again a defining political battleground in Germany. With Friedrich Merz pushing for a 'Migrationswende,' his election victory brings promises of…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Can Europe risk challenging Erdogan?
Turkey’s President Erdogan has had the mayor of Istanbul Imamoglu arrested. The EU condemns the arrest but stops short of threatening any action. In this…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Is Donald Trump strengthening European ties?
Donald Trump is reshaping America’s ties with its allies. Will his policies push EU states to unite? Why should anyone who cares about democracy be paying…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Can Friedrich Merz really save Europe?
Germany’s likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz is already hailed as the man who could forge what the EU needs most: unity. So far he has seen a lot of advance…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
What's behind Germany's historic rearmament plan?
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s likely next chancellor, has stirred up political waters with his bold "whatever it takes" stance. In a massive shift, Merz and the…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Next steps in Berlin’s military buildup
Germany’s incoming leaders are planning to dramatically ramp up military spending after signs the Trump administration could definitively pivot away from…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Election countdown: What’s at stake for Germany?
Who will lead Germany next? In this episode of Berlin Briefing, we break down the key players in Germany’s upcoming elections, the ripple effects of JD Vance’s…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
MSC Day 2: Does the US still have to figure out how to approach Russia and Ukraine?
At a memorable Munich Security Conference, US Vice President JD Vance lectured the Europeans on what democracy should really mean, questioning its…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Women leaders discuss European and global security at MSC
How do women leaders in Europe view current security challenges? Will the US be a reliable ally? Are democracies around the world under threat? DW’s Berlin…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Understanding Germany's Green Party
Germany's Green Party is campaigning for a second term in government. Their time in power has been controversial, with coalition infighting over climate policy…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Is there a crack in Germany’s political firewall against the far right?
Germany’s likely next Chancellor Friedrich Merz just shook up the election campaign. He took a major political risk by relying on the far-right AfD for a…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Germany’s unpopular chancellor: Can Olaf Scholz turn things around?
Olaf Scholz’s government collapsed after months of infighting and deadlock. He’s attempting a comeback in the upcoming elections. What was the interplay…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Friedrich Merz: What to expect from Germany’s likely next leader
Friedrich Merz is the frontrunner to become Germany’s next leader after February’s elections. In this episode, DW’s Richard Walker and Michaela Küfner break it…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
What do Germany's main parties promise voters?
In this episode, DW’s Michaela Küfner, Nina Haase, Giulia Saudelli and Matthew Moore dive into the German election campaign, breaking down the key issues…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
What do Elon Musk and AfD leader Alice Weidel have in common?
From Hitler, education and energy, to Mars colonization - X owner Elon Musk's chat with the far-right AfD party's Alice Weidel left many people puzzled. We…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Anti-NATO, anti-woke: The new party disrupting German politics
Germany’s new BSW party, led by Sahra Wagenknecht, is shaking up politics with a mix of left- and right-wing ideas. Opposing NATO and climate policies while…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Why Germany’s far-right AfD is set to break records
Elon Musk says there's only one political party that can save Germany: the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The far-right party is on track for its best result…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
How Assad’s fall is shaking up Germany’s migration debate
In this episode, we dive into the complexities surrounding the future of Syrians in Germany. The debate has been heating up since the Assad regime was toppled…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Will Europe help Georgians defend their EU path against the billionaire with the zebra?
“We are basically playing by the rules, whereas Moscow is not,” Foreign Affairs Correspondent for Die Zeit magazine Michael Thumann tells Berlin Briefing Host…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Can Germany have it both ways with China, cooperation AND rivalry?
China is already calling some major shots on European trade and security. Where that leaves Germany as Europe’s largest economy is at the core of this week’s…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
What did Angela Merkel get wrong on Russia?
In this episode of DW’s Berlin Briefing, host Michaela Küfner challenges her guests to unpack Putin’s hybrid war and assess how Germany should respond. Former…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
'Putin only understands word of force' What's behind Germany's diplomatic efforts?
Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur speaks to DW’s Nina Haase about Europe’s security challenges, Russia’s war in Ukraine, why European defense spending…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
How are Germany's conservatives preparing for Trump 2.0?
Germany is gearing up for a snap election in early 2025. The conservative CDU/CSU is leading in the polls. What's at stake for German politics and…
- DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Trump 2.0, German coalition collapse and what it could mean for support of Ukraine
Host Nina Haase talks to DW's Washington Bureau Chief Ines Pohl and James D. Bindenagel from the German Marshall Fund about what Donald Trump's victory means…