The Zeitgeist American-German Institute
-
- Government
-
The Zeitgeist delves into topics affecting Germany, the United States, and the transatlantic relationship. Hosted by American-German Institute President Jeff Rathke, the show welcomes guests from the policy, academic, and think tank communities, as well as in-house AGI experts. Produced by the American-German Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
-
Episode 101: Germany and the United States in an American Election Year
German Ambassador to the United States Andreas Michaelis joins The Zeitgeist podcast to discuss the state of the German-American relationship, how Germany is working with its key partners in Europe such as France, and how the U.S. elections are affecting the transatlantic relationship. Ambassador Michaelis has been serving in Washington since August 2023, and during this period Germany has become the leading military supporter of Ukraine in Europe and second only to the United States. He describes the strength of the transatlantic relationship, especially as Germany and the United States work to support Ukraine against Russian aggression and the two countries work to align their policies on China.
Host
Jeff Rathke, President, AGI
Guest
Andreas Michaelis, German Ambassador to the United States -
Episode 100: The Enduring Allure of Weimar Music and Culture
Max Raabe & the Palast Orchester have been playing the music of and inspired by the 1920s and 30s for almost forty years, to enormous success in Germany and internationally. As the group prepares to kick off a U.S. tour in March, Max Raabe joins The Zeitgeist to discuss how the music of Weimar Germany resonates with audiences today, the stories behind the composers, and how the music connects to German history.
Max Raabe & Palast Orchester Tour Dates
Listen Max Raabe & Palast Orchester on Spotify
Listen to Max Raabe & Palast Orchester on YouTube
Host
Jeff Rathke, President, AGI
Guests
Eric Langenbacher, AGI Senior Fellow; Director, Society, Culture & Politics Program
Max Raabe, Max Raabe & Palast Orchester -
Episode 99: Transatlantic Risks in 2024
2024 will be a year of crisis and change—the Russian aggression against Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and Africa; the continuing effects of climate change; and the biggest election year in history. Mathew Burrows and Julian Mueller-Kaler of the Stimson Center’s Strategic Foresight Hub join the podcast to discuss the greatest risks to the transatlantic partnership this year: the impacts of presidential candidate (and potential winner) Donald Trump’s “anti-globalist” agenda, a potential stalemate in Ukraine, increasing cooperation between China and Russia, and European instability and internal divisions. And more importantly, how can the United States and Europe act now to ensure their security and interests in a destabilizing global order?
Articles mentioned in this episode:
Top Ten Global Risks for 2024
A Second Trump Term: Opportunities and Risks
The Unpredictable But Entirely Possible Events That Could Throw 2024 Into Turmoil
Host
Jeff Rathke, President, AGI
Guests
Mathew Burrows, Program Lead, Strategic Foresight Hub, Stimson Center
Julian Mueller-Kaler, Director, Strategic Foresight Hub, Stimson Center -
Episode 98: 2023 in Review
2023 was a tumultuous year in German politics and foreign policy. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government is polling at record lows following a series of unpopular policies and setbacks in the constitutional court. At the same time, support for the extremes is increasing, especially as the Alternative for Germany ramps up rhetoric on migration and the price of energy—two issues that may grow in importance in 2024. Despite squabbles over domestic politics, the coalition has remained steadfast in its support for Ukraine as Russia’s aggression and attempt to redraw the map of Europe continues. Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the German government has also stood solidly by Israel, even institutionalizing Angela Merkel’s statement that the existence of Israel is Germany’s Staatsräson. However, as the civilian deaths in Gaza mount, Germany’s policy is evolving toward “paving the way to a sustainable cease-fire,” as Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote this week.
Jeff Rathke, Eric Langenbacher, and Non-Resident Senior Fellow Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger reflect on the domestic politics and foreign policy of Germany in 2023 and give their predictions for the top issues that will impact Germany and the transatlantic relationship in 2024.
Host
Jeff Rathke, President, AGI
Guests
Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger, AGI Non-Resident Senior Fellow
Eric Langenbacher, AGI Senior Fellow; Director, Society, Culture & Politics Program -
Episode 97: LGBTQ+ Spaces, Public Art, and Memory
Public memorials have many functions: honoring victims, acknowledging history, or symbolizing values. After the 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the site was transformed into an interim memorial to honor the 49 people who were killed. As LGBTQ+ groups in Germany and the United States work to build community spaces and bring LGBTQ+ stories into public consciousness, what lessons can be learned from commemoration efforts in Orlando? Participants of the AGI Project “Building LGBTQ+ Communities in Germany and the United States” join The Zeitgeist to discuss the power and politics of public art and memorials.
Organizations mentioned in this episode:
onePULSE Interim Memorial The Center Orlando
Kinfolk Monument Lab
Guest Host
Eric Langenbacher, AGI Senior Fellow; Director, Society, Culture & Politics Program
Guests
Jennifer Bihr, Queer Rights Activist, Heidelberg, Germany
Susanne Dieper, Director of Programs and Grants, AGI
Wilfredo Hernandez, Founder/CEO, Communitas Arts + Culture, LLC; Founder/Executive Producing Director, Drag Arts Oral History Project
This podcast is part of the project “Building LGBTQ+ Communities in Germany and the United States: Past, Present, and Future” and is generously funded by the Transatlantik-Programm der Bundesrepublik Deutschland aus Mitteln des European Recovery Program (ERP) des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz(BMWK) (Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany with Funds through the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry for Economics and Climate Action (BMWK)). -
Episode 96: The United States and Germany in a Shifting Global Order
The international order built by the United States after World War II is under strain, and the consensus about America’s role that used to unite U.S. political leaders and the public is fraying. Across the Atlantic, Germany, uneasily facing a return to hard power politics represented by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has instituted a “sea change” in its foreign and security policy. European voters are electing more populist and nationalist parties. Will the U.S. commitment to shaping the international order persist, and how must Europe and Germany adjust their strategic thinking in this pivotal moment?
Host
Jeff Rathke, President, AGI
Guest
Andreas Kluth, Columnist, Bloomberg Opinion
This podcast is supported by the United States diplomatic mission in Germany.
Customer Reviews
I like it! But perhaps…
…I’m biased, because I’m the host! Thanks to all who give us a listen - Jeff
Unique Information - Excited to Hear Future Episodes
So far, very unique Information! I'm excited to hear future episodes!