• Putin’s Contradictions: Attack Ukraine, Talk Deals, Propose Schröder
    May 15 2026
    As Russia launches a fresh wave of attacks across Ukraine and the Kremlin signals it could pursue economic deals with the United States — under certain conditions — Vladimir Putin is also floating a controversial idea: former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator for Europe. In this episode, host Nina Haase discusses the Russian president’s controversial suggestion with her guests.
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    28 min
  • US reduces troops in Germany: Is Donald Trump breaking up with Friedrich Merz?!
    May 8 2026
    Is the relationship between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump on the rocks?!. Is the exchange of political fire that saw Merz describe the US as “humiliated” by Iran – and Trump respond with troop withdrawals and tariffs – just a blip? Hosts Nina Haase and Michaela Küfner welcome DW’s Washington Bureau Chief Ines Pohl to analyse Trump’s latest blows against Germany.
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    35 min
  • Did Merz push Trump too far on Iran?
    Apr 30 2026
    A blunt remark by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has triggered a sharp response from US President Donald Trump — and reopened questions about the state of transatlantic relations. After Merz publicly criticized Washington’s handling of Iran, saying the US s being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership, Trump hinted at reviewing the US troop presence in Germany, raising security and diplomatic stakes.
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    33 min
  • Why is Chancellor Merz so unpopular — and is it fair?
    Apr 24 2026
    Germany’s chancellor tops the wrong rankings: approval is at a record low and the AfD has overtaken the CDU/CSU in some polls. But do polls really capture Friedrich Merz’s performance? In this episode, DW Berlin Bureau chief Maximilian Hofmann speaks with DW Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner, Dr. Roland Abold from polling institute infratest dimap and Berlin-based French journalist Luc André.
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    36 min
  • Ukraine support: how and why is Germany different?
    Apr 17 2026
    Germany and Ukraine have declared a new strategic partnership - but how much substance is behind the signal? In this episode, host Michaela Küfner discusses with her guests Gerlinde Niehus, a NATO expert and DW’s Nina Haase and Nick Connolly whether Ukraine is shifting from aid recipient to security provider - and what that means for Europe’s defense strategy amid competing global crises.
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    36 min
  • Hungary's election: Is Berlin betting against Orbán?
    Apr 10 2026
    Hungary is heading into one of its most consequential elections in years - and all of Europe is watching closely. Officially, Berlin says it remains neutral. Unofficially, the stakes could hardly be higher. In this episode of Berlin Briefing, host Max Hofmann breaks down the key issues shaping Hungary’s upcoming election with Dora Diseri from DW’s Hungarian Service and EU expert Kai-Olaf Lang.
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    35 min
  • How the Iran war is forcing Germany to rethink energy
    Apr 2 2026
    The energy shock from the Iran war is felt around the world, and in Germany, too. As rising prices hit consumers, the government is struggling to find a response. How should Europe's largest economy fuel itself in a world where fossils can become a political liability? Host Nina Haase goes looking for answers with Greens MP Robin Wagener, DGAP energy expert Loyle Campbell and DW’s Bernd Riegert.
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    32 min
  • Can Germany reform its way out of the rise of the far right AfD?
    Mar 27 2026
    Germany’s governing parties in Chancellor Merz’s coalition have just faced a moment of truth. The need for drastic reforms is hitting home in the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which suffered another electoral blow this week. Host Michaela Küfner discusses with DW’s Max Hofmann, Matthew Moore, and expert Marcel Fratzscher the current economic struggles the governing parties are facing.
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    32 min