Aspen Institute Germany

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Aspen Institute Germany

Promoting values-based leadership, constructive dialog amongst conflicting parties and Euro-Atlantic cooperation to support & enhance a strong open society

The Aspen Idea

The Aspen Institute Germany promotes values-based leadership, constructive dialog amongst conflicting parties, and Euro-Atlantic cooperation to support and enhance a strong open society. Aspen Germany does this by convening decision-makers and experts from politics, business, academia, media, culture, and civil society in three programs:

- Policy Programs offer a non-partisan conf

idential platform for dialog and analysis to address regional and global challenges and develop mutually acceptable solutions.

- Leadership Programs reflect on values and ideas through the Socratic method to deepen knowledge, broaden perspectives, and enhance participants’ ability to solve the problems they face.
- Public Programs provide a forum for open and constructive dialog between decision-makers and a broader audience on a wide range of current issues. The Aspen Institute Germany was founded in Berlin in 1974. Until today it embodies the idea of transatlantic community and a free and open society. It serves as a non-partisan, non-profit convening platform and is part of the global Aspen network with partners in the U.S., France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, Spain, Japan, India, and Mexico. Together, the Institutes are committed to address the challenges of the 21st century.

25/08/2026

🇪🇺🇺🇸 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 & 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗱 | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨-𝗨𝗦 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝗻
One year after the EU and US reached their trade agreement in July 2025, the transatlantic economic relationship has entered a new phase. The framework entered fully into force on July 1, 2026, solidifying the stability and predictability of one of the world’s most important trade and investment relationships.

🔵 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵
Beyond tariffs, EU goods exports to the United States rose 3.5%, from €536 billion to €555 billion, while United States exports to the EU increased 5.4%, from €338 billion to €356 billion.

🔵 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥
The EU has implemented its main commitments, including eliminating tariffs on United States industrial goods and improving market access for selected agri-food products. The United States established a 15% ceiling for most EU exports, providing greater predictability for European businesses.

🔵 𝘚𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯
The EU can withdraw tariff preferences if commitments are not upheld. By the end of 2026, tariffs on certain steel and aluminium derivatives are expected to align with the 15% ceiling. A sunset clause running to 2029 ensures the framework can be reviewed.

🔵 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘤
Further cooperation is expanding into critical raw materials, supply-chain resilience, economic security, investment screening and export controls, with energy supply is also playing a key role.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲:
The EU-United States partnership remains the world’s most significant bilateral trade and investment relationship. The deal provides greater predictability, but its success will depend on implementation, continued negotiations and both sides honoring their commitments. 🇪🇺🇺🇸
👉 Swipe through for the key commitments and what remains on the table.

24/08/2026

From new initiatives to new beginnings, here’s what’s been happening at Aspen Germany.

Last week, participants from all previous cohorts from the U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture (2022-2027) came together for a special virtual session on social media in agriculture. Agnes Greggersen and Nina Kleine guided the group through the world of farmfluencing, shared their personal experiences, and sparked a lively exchange on the opportunities and challenges of communicating about agriculture online.

Looking ahead to September, preparations are underway for the next phase of RESET – Reimagining the Transatlantic Future. From September 14–18, young political leaders from Germany and the United States will meet in Wiesbaden to explore the future of transatlantic security cooperation, engage with experts and policymakers, and develop scenarios for the challenges ahead. After their initial study trip to Norfolk in May, the Wiesbaden exchange will offer a new perspective on how security challenges are understood and addressed on both sides of the Atlantic.

We are also saying goodbye to several Program Assistants who have been an important part of the Aspen Germany team: Donata von Treskow and Henning Ehlers from our Digital Program and Ronja Möller from our Public and Leadership Program. Thank you all for your hard work, support, and contributions. As they head into their next chapters, we wish Donata all the best for her new journey in Paris, and Ronja and Henning all the best as they take their next steps in Berlin. We look forward to welcoming them back at future Aspen events!

A big thank you also to our interns, Alungua and Tom, for all their support over the past few months! We’ve loved having you both on the team and seeing you contribute to our projects and events. As you each head into your next chapter, we wish you both all the very best!

As we head into the second half of the year, we look forward to welcoming new ideas, perspectives, and conversations to Aspen Germany.

18/08/2026

Tariffs, investment, critical minerals: transatlantic trade is under real strain right now. But instead of just cataloguing the friction points, Metin Hakverdi, Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation, German Federal Foreign Office and Sabine Frank, Head of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy, Google DACH and Dan Mullaney, Atlantic Council, former AUSTR for Europe and the Middle East, dig into what it actually takes to move forward: what's driving today's biggest tensions, where the EU and US can cooperate on competitiveness even while disputes continue, and what role trade policy should play in securing critical supply chains.

Their takeaways: progress starts with honestly acknowledging past mistakes, coming back to the table, and choosing innovation over confrontation.

Watch the full interview now!

13/08/2026

🎙️ America’s Choice Podcast: Wer bestimmt den Kurs? Amerikas Parteien vor den Midterms

🚨 Neue Folge: Jetzt reinhören ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/12CpwCIFdT9h8SDPBZnqrs

Inmitten der laufenden Vorwahlen für die U.S.-Midterms nimmt der politische Wettbewerb an Fahrt auf.

🗳️ Was verraten die bisherigen Vorwahlergebnisse über den politischen Kurs und die innere Geschlossenheit der Parteien?

📣 Welche Themen und Wahlkampfstrategien prägen den Wettbewerb zwischen Demokraten und Republikanern?

⚖️ Wie steht es um das Vertrauen in den demokratischen Wahlprozess im Hinblick auf öffentliche Debatten zu Wahlrecht, Wahlkreiszuschnitten und Wahlorganisation?

In der neuen Folge von America’s Choice diskutiert Gastgeberin Stormy-Annika Mildner gemeinsam mit Julius van de Laar, Amerika Experte und Kampagnenstratege, und Helena Wittlich, US-Korrespondentin, über die zentralen Trends und Konfliktlinien der Vorwahlen in den USA.

👉 Swipe für zentrale Zitate und Takeaways aus der Diskussion.

12/08/2026

🎙️🇺🇸 Wer bestimmt den Kurs? Amerikas Parteien vor den Midterms

Heute aufgenommen, morgen verfügbar: die neue Podcast-Folge America's Choice! 🎧

Wohin steuern Demokraten und Republikaner im Jahr 2026? Was verraten die Vorwahlen über die Machtkämpfe innerhalb der Parteien und welche Folgen haben die aktuellen Entwicklungen für die Midterms und die amerikanische Demokratie?

Darüber spricht Gastgeberin Stormy Mildner mit Helena Wittlich, US-Korrespondentin des Tagesspiegel, sowie Julius van de Laar, US-Kampagnen- und Strategieberater.

Die Folge erscheint morgen – viel Spaß beim Anhören!

12/08/2026

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) has emerged as a significant challenge to democratic governance, European security, and the integrity of the information environment. While foreign influence has historically relied on state-controlled media and overt propaganda, contemporary operations increasingly exploit decentralized digital networks and social media platforms.

A particularly important development is the growth of influence-for-hire (IfH) networks. These networks can connect political actors, intermediaries, and content creators through financial incentives, coordination, or other forms of support. Their significance lies not only in amplifying narratives, but also in obscuring the origins, coordination, and strategic interests behind political messaging. In this sense, FIMI executed through IfH networks represents a growing dimension of hybrid warfare.

This is particularly relevant as audiences increasingly encounter political information through social media and content creators. For younger audiences in particular, creators can function as trusted intermediaries between political information and the public. Their perceived authenticity and direct relationships with audiences can make political messages more accessible and persuasive, while also creating opportunities for foreign actors to exploit these channels of influence.

Pro-Kremlin actors, for example, have sought to exploit influencer-for-hire networks to amplify strategic narratives through seemingly independent content. When political messaging is embedded within everyday online communication, foreign involvement can become difficult to identify, blurring the boundaries between genuine political expression, commercial content, and coordinated foreign interference.

The EU has responded with measures including sanctions against actors involved in Russia-linked influence activities. Yet sanctions alone cannot address interference that is increasingly decentralized and embedded in everyday digital communication. Building democratic resilience therefore also requires greater transparency, platform accountability, media literacy, and trusted communicators.

This is where initiatives such as Aspen Institute Germany’s “Digital Defenders: Influencers for Digital Democracy” project can play an important role. By bringing together content creators from Europe and the United States, the project seeks to promote credible, fact-based communication and strengthen democratic resilience in the digital space.

For Europe and the United States alike, the question is becoming increasingly important: How can open societies protect the integrity of their information spaces without undermining the openness that defines them?

05/08/2026

Du möchtest internationale Politik nicht nur studieren, sondern mitgestalten?

Ab September 2026 vergeben wir wieder ein Praktikum für eine deutsche Muttersprachlerin bzw. einen deutschen Muttersprachler.

Wenn du im 4. bis 9. Fachsemester eines Studiums der Geistes-, Sozial- oder Politikwissenschaften eingeschrieben bist und Interesse an internationalen Beziehungen, Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik sowie transatlantischem Dialog hast, freuen wir uns auf deine Bewerbung.

Bei uns erhältst du Einblicke in die Arbeit eines politischen Instituts und unterstützt unser Team unter anderem bei:
• der Vorbereitung und Begleitung von Veranstaltungen,
• Recherche- und Redaktionsaufgaben,
• Projektarbeit und Kommunikation sowie
• organisatorischen Abläufen im Institutsalltag.

Wir bieten dir die Möglichkeit, praktische Erfahrungen zu sammeln, Verantwortung zu übernehmen und wertvolle Einblicke in die Arbeit an der Schnittstelle von Politik, Wissenschaft und internationalem Austausch zu gewinnen.

📅 Start: September 2026
🎓 Zielgruppe: Eingeschriebene Studierende im 4.–9. Fachsemester (Geistes-, Sozial- oder Politikwissenschaften)
📍 Bewerbungsdetails: Alle Informationen findest du in der Stellenausschreibung: Stellenangebote - Aspen Institute Germany

Wir freuen uns auf deine Bewerbung!

03/08/2026

Last week at Aspen Institute Germany, we continued to foster dialogue and exchange on the issues shaping our world, bringing together diverse perspectives on resilience, security, and the future of international cooperation.

Our Program Officer Ferdinand continued consolidating the policy recommendations developed by the fourth cohort of the U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture and continued drafting the final publication. The recommendations address the economic viability of animal welfare improvements, animal health and biosecurity, and trust and transparency in swine and poultry production.

As part of a wider series of roundtables in Madrid, Berlin, Warsaw, and Brussels, the Berlin Roundtable on European Resilience brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss how societies can better prepare for future challenges. The insights gathered throughout the series will be compiled into a European Resilience Report, developed by our Junior Program Officer, Niklas Zimmer, and presented to key EU stakeholders.

As the RESET project’s foresight process moved into its next phase, our Deputy Director, Katja Greeson, launched a survey exploring participants’ perspectives on the future of security and transatlantic relations. The insights gathered will provide the foundation for the upcoming Foresight Workshop in Wiesbaden, where participants will develop future scenarios and discuss their implications for policy and society today.

Looking ahead, our Europe team, led by Rejane Herwig, has begun preparations for this year's Regional Conference in Skopje. From November 18–20, 2026, Aspen Institute Germany will convene high-level participants to discuss security in the Western Balkans. The conference is organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia as part of our SECURE project.

We’re hiring! Aspen Germany is currently offering several positions starting in 2026, including full-time roles, student positions, and internships. Join our team and contribute to dialogue on international politics, cooperation, and leadership. Find out more on our website: Stellenangebote - Aspen Institute Germany

Through initiatives like these, Aspen Institute Germany continues to foster dialogue, anticipate emerging challenges, and create spaces for exchange on the issues shaping our shared future.

28/07/2026

This week, we hosted an Oxford-Style Debate in partnership with the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) and the International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) of the German Bundestag. Bringing together young international professionals, the event featured participants arguing from opposing perspectives on Germany’s future approach to military service through structured debate, audience engagement, and expert evaluation.

Our Executive Director, Stormy-Annika Mildner, was invited to speak with Deutsche Welle on the latest U.S. tariffs affecting more than 80 countries. The interview explored the implications of the Trump administration's new trade measures, the use of Section 301, and the broader geopolitical and economic consequences of an increasingly fragmented global trading system.

As the second half of 2026 brings new geopolitical, economic, and security challenges, Aspen Institute Germany will continue to provide a platform for dialogue and transatlantic exchange. Upcoming events such as the Deep Dive Discussions, the German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue (GATT) workshop, the Socrates Seminar in Weimar, and programs including RESET, Digital Defenders, and Connecting Futures will explore topics ranging from European security and democratic resilience to economic security and responsible leadership. Explore our Fall 2026 program and learn more about our upcoming events on our website!

We are excited to welcome our new Project Assistants, Tom Breitschwerdt and Enia Hida, for this summer!
Tom recently completed his Bachelor's degree in History and Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. With experience in management consulting, he joins us with a strong interest in supporting our projects and events.
Enia is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Political Science at Freie Universität Berlin. She previously gained professional experience at the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) and the German Bundestag, while focusing academically on transatlantic relations, security policy, political economy, and AI governance.
We look forward to having them with us!

23/07/2026

Here's a roundup of what's been happening at Aspen Institute Germany recently.

In her latest publication, Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner examines how Donald Trump's "America First" trade policy is putting Germany's export-oriented economic model under pressure. The piece highlights why Europe must strengthen competitiveness, reduce dependencies, and defend a rules-based global trading system.

Our 2026 Connecting Futures cohort brings together 20 journalists, fact-checkers, and digital creators from the Western Balkans 6, Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye, and Ukraine to strengthen democratic resilience and build trustworthy information ecosystems, reaching a combined audience of more than 4.4 million people.

Our Director Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner was in high demand this week: on Tagesschau, she explained why surging gas prices are hitting American households hard and why trust in President Trump remains strong despite the economic strain. On WDR5 Morgenecho, she broke down the political stakes around Iran and renewed 2020 election claims ahead of the US midterms.

This week at Aspen Institute Germany, our team continued preparations for the upcoming Oxford-Style Debate: "Should Germany Introduce Compulsory Military Service?", organized with participants of the International Parliamentary Scholarship of the German Bundestag, in partnership with the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM). The debate is designed to create a structured space for participants to examine opposing positions, develop evidence-based arguments, and engage critically with one of Germany's most timely security and societal policy questions.

At the VCI NRW Chemistry and Pharma Day 2026 in Düsseldorf, Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner delivered an external expert analysis to CEOs and industry leaders on how US economic policy is reshaping Europe's competitiveness – key insights for an industry navigating a challenging global environment.

Meet Tatev Baghdasaryan, our new Program Assistant in Team Digital! She is currently pursuing a Master in International Affairs at the Hertie School. Tatev brings experience in research, policy analysis, project support, and event planning from her previous roles at the Regional Center for Democracy and Security, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and HTW Berlin. Welcome to the team!

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Telefon

+49 (0) 30 804 890 0

Webseite

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