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.
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?
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
As the World Cup kicks off, pundits in Germany are asking: Could success on the pitch help the coalition bounce back? In Berlin Briefing, host Max Hofmann discusses with DW’s Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner, sports and politics expert Florian Bauer, and DW sports reporter Jonathan Harding whether this is the most political World Cup yet — and whether ‘die Mannschaft’ could lift the mood.
Germany just suffered one of its biggest diplomatic setbacks in decades: losing a UN Security Council seat it thought was practically guaranteed. In this episode of Berlin Briefing, host Nina Haase and her guests, DW's Max Hofmann and UN expert Myriel Marthez, take you inside the vote, inside the backroom diplomacy, and inside the reasons Germany’s campaign collapsed.
Berlin Briefing host Michaela Küfner unpacks the Pope's call for responsible AI regulation and asks what Germany’s plans are to avoid a sell-out to big tech interests. She is joined by tech regulation expert Matthias Kettemann from the Leibniz Institute for Media Research and DW's tech policy correspondent Maximiliane Koschyk.
The AfD is surging in the polls - in some regions, it's way out in front of Germany’s traditional parties. But despite record support, the far-right party still has almost no real executive power. Why is that? And could that soon change? In this episode host Max Hofmann discusses with DW’s Matthew Moore and author/historian Katja Hoyer what would happen if the AfD won a state outright.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As Washington pressures Europe over the Iran war, Germany is stuck between needing US support for Ukraine and not participating in the war in Iran. How has Berlin’s position evolved since the US and Israel launched their strikes? Host Max Hofmann speaks with Sudha David-Wilp (GMF), DW’s Michaela Küfner and Teri Schultz about the new relationship status of the US and Germany.
