DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

DW
DW
  • 5.0 (19)
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  • Updated Weekly

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 our newsletter: dw.com/berlinbriefing. Leave us a comment here: newsletter@dw.com. Or find us on YouTube @dwnews and X @dw_politics.

  1. 4d ago

    Germany's summer crisis: A cabinet reshuffle gone wrong?

    An ad-hoc cabinet reshuffle backfired on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. With political egos flying and hurt feelings all around, could inner-party frustration threaten government stability? DW's Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase separate political drama from the facts with Reuters' Chief Correspondent Andreas Rinke: Is Merz better at strengthening his government or creating problems for himself?

  2. Jul 28

    Merz Under Pressure: What the Berlin Pride Attack Changes for Germany

    The attack on Berlin Pride has triggered a political debate. Calls for tougher security measures are getting louder, and pressure is mounting on Friedrich Merz's government amid cabinet reshuffling. DW's Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase discuss with government advisor on extremism Rebecca Schönenbach: What does this moment mean for Germany's politics, its open society, and upcoming state elections?

  3. Jul 22

    Burnham's German plan: Why Britain's new PM is looking to Europe

    Brexit was supposed to pull Britain away from Europe. Yet 10 years on, Britain's new prime minister is championing ideas that look strikingly familiar to Germans – ideas which Berlin itself is starting to question. This Berlin Briefing deciphers the similarities between Andy Burnham and Germany‘s chancellor; how London may say goodbye to the Westminster System; and what it all means for NATO

  4. Jul 17

    What do war games reveal about Europe’s security future?

    What can a war game tell us about a real-world security crisis? In this episode of Berlin Briefing, DW’s Nina Haase speaks with Carolina Drüten, International Security Correspondent at WELT and creator of the podcast Ernstfall, based on a public war game simulating a Russian challenge to NATO's eastern flank and Roman Goncharenko, DW Eastern Europe Security Analyst and Correspondent.

  5. Jul 8

    Boost or bust the AfD? Inside Friedrich Merz’ gamble to reform Germany

    Can German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stop the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany? Germany's coalition government has launched sweeping reforms on the economy, pensions and welfare. In this episode of Berlin Briefing, DW’s Michaela Küfner and Matthew Moore examine with economist Marcel Fratzscher whether Germany's reform gamble can reverse the far-right populist surge.

  6. Jul 3

    250 Years of USA: Where Germany needs to pivot now

    As the United States marks 250 years of independence, Germany is confronting an uncomfortable question: can it still rely on its most important ally? Former German ambassador to Washington Emily Haber joins DW's Nina Haase to discuss the future of transatlantic relations and how Europe may have to forge new alliances and capabilities on its own.

  7. Jun 26

    NATO under pressure: Can Germany be the European leader?

    In this Berlin Briefing special from the Global Media Forum, DW’s Nina Haase and Max Hofmann are joined by NATO expert Gerlinde Niehus and Maximilian Mayer from the University of Bonn to discuss: where does Germany hold real leverage and how can it help Europe become a strategic power?

  8. Jun 19

    Rewriting the past? Inside the AfD's history agenda

    Berlin Briefing looks at how Germany remembers the Holocaust and why it's being targeted by the far-right AfD. Björn Höcke rejects German collective guilt, blaming only the Nazi dictatorship. With Melanie Amann, author of "Fear for Germany: The truth about the AfD" and social scientist Jakob Schergaut, host Michaela Küfner examines the controversy and the AfD’s push to reshape history.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

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 our newsletter: dw.com/berlinbriefing. Leave us a comment here: newsletter@dw.com. Or find us on YouTube @dwnews and X @dw_politics.

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