Germany and the U.S.
A black box on an aquarium
The new Bauhaus Museum in Dessau is not a major architectural triumph, but it does offer fascinating insight into the creative processes of the legendary school.
Petromelancholia and its discontents
Fossil fuels have driven prosperity, technology and politics but have also created possibilities for waging war and destruction.
The brave new world of Trumpism
Who bears the consequences of President Trump’s tariff policies?
Loaded language
The AfD’s populist rhetoric attracts those who are traumatized by the past and scared of the future.
Zee German & their hedges
Allotments are typically German. Not least because they reflect part of German history.
Freedom and Responsibility
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Behind the scenes
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Power rankings
Bill Gates is wrong. Nuclear power will not save the climate. Beyond Chernobyl and Fukushima, there’s too much speaking against it.
My dearest enemy: Donald Trump and Xi Jinping
The specter of a new Cold War between the US and China is lurking.
The 2 percent truthers
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Certain uncertainties
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Looking back at our Year of German-American Friendship
This year we celebrated a very special friendship between Germany and the USA.
Meet the winners of our #SeeYouinGER competition!
We wanted to know what Germany means to you. Dacia Zimmer and her sister won the exciting trip to Berlin. Take a look at what they experienced there!
Visit the Holocaust Memorial Berlin with us!
Six million people. A memorial has found its place in the heart of Berlin to remind present and coming generations of the horrors of the #Holocaust.
Visit the Berlin Wall sites with us!
On the evening of #November9, 1989, the #GDR opened its border crossings to the West for all citizens: The event went down in #history as The #FalloftheWall.
How the West was lost
NATO and the EU were created in a world that vanished 30 years ago. Clinging to that lost era means denying the facts of the present day
The wander years
Johanna Röh is one of the very few women ever to take up the old German tradition of the “Wanderjahre”, a custom that even brought her to Mexico, Canada and Japan as a craftsperson.
Democracy for grown-ups
Live to debate another day – not having easy answers is a liberal asset, not a moral failing.
The European dream won’t come to an end
The EU remains a great success. Brexit will only strengthen it, and even the UK will know it to be true.
The Wurst is over
Until only a few years ago, vegans were still subject to ridicule from the majority of consumers. Now, not only Berlin has emerged as a hot spot for vegetarian and vegan cuisine.
Truth Humor
Facebook is funding research on media, ethics and innovation. Is this a welcome promotion or a damnable colonization of journalism by a tech giant?
#SeeYouInGer: our winner in Berlin
We wanted to know what Germany means to you and promised an awesome trip to Berlin in exchange. Dacia Zimmer won our competition. Her big Berlin adventure is starting now.
“Put them to use!”
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Daimler bends
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Theory and practice
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Germany has not forgotten the lessons of the Nazis
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Engender equality
Women in Germany are still massively under-represented in positions of leadership in business, politics and culture, but they themselves contribute to this stagnation
Zee Germans & their dogs
Dogs are popular pets all over the world, but there’s something special – one might say odd – about the Germans’ relationship with their four-legged friends
These truths
The histrionic debate over nationalization and forcible expropriation in Germany distracts from a more urgent conversation
Trading down
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Swimming to Berlin
Two female Syrian swimmers who saved others from drowning while fleeing the war: Their heroic flight from war-torn Syria made the Mardini sisters, Yusra and Sarah, famous all over the world.
Targeting tolerance
After the political murder committed by a far-right radical: Is far-right terrorism on the rise in Germany?
USA
Realism, not sentimentality
Trump-bashing or broaden our view? We can’t act jointly with Trump, yet we can’t act alone without the US.
USA
Holding the center
Chancellor Merkel’s opponents can be divided into two camps. But the German chancellor Angela Merkel refuses to become a lame duck.
USA
Saving the bond
The US is decoupling from its 70-year-old partnership with Europe. The trans-Atlantic relationship must start again from scratch.
USA
#SeeYouInGermany: Here is our winner
We wanted to know what Germany means to you and promised an awesome trip to Berlin in exchange. We received 300 amazing messages. And the winner is…
“Berlin’s got a buzz"
A company is founded every 20 minutes in Berlin. Why Germany's capital is a magnet for startups.
What I love about Berlin
“Wunderbar together” ambassador Danielle shows us her favourite places in Berlin and talks about why she came to Germany.
Where German is still spoken in the US
The language and culture of German immigrants to the US continues to influence their descendants.
Children of the Cold War
These famous names are the children of American military personnel in Germany.
The U.S. military in Germany
Why Germany hosts by far the biggest contingent of American troops in Europe.
The base is loaded
Despite all the US president’s statements to the contrary, the Americans are expanding their military presence in Germany.
German-American history: the IG Farben company building
The German-American history of the IG Farben company building in Frankfurt, Germany, during World War II.
Learning about World War II in Germany
How do young people in Germany learn about World War II? We asked two students from Frankfurt - and these are their answers.
Germans talk about the USA regarding World War II
We asked German students, what they think about the USA regarding World War II. These are their answers.
Chancellor makes acclaimed speech in Harvard
German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel held the commencement address to Harvard graduates – and offered them six thoughts to consider on their future paths through life.
With German roots in New York
The USA: a country of immigrants. Brittney shows us German heritage and tasty traditions in New York.
Power to the pupil!
German youths have taken up the mantle, cutting class on Fridays to demand more effective climate protection.
Wunderbar together
The Year of German-American Friendship aims to encourage exchange and encounter – especially at a time of political differences.
Never forget – Germany’s culture of remembrance
Today, there is widespread acceptance among Germans for their historic responsibility for World War II and the Holocaust. That hasn't always been the case.
Lest we forget
Filmmaker Luigi Toscano gives victims of the Holocaust the opportunity to speak - and us the opportunity to understand.
“In Berlin, I felt acknowledged in some deeper way”
When Diane L. Wolf recently came to Berlin it was a return of sorts: her Jewish parents were forced to leave Germany in the 1930s.
Holocaust survivor takes a far-reaching decision
Stephen and his parents had to leave Nazi Germany in 1938. But 70 years later, Stephen Wertheimer has decided to reclaimed the German citizenship.
Eager handshakes and chaotic queues: On German manners
After decades of living in the country, DW's Louisa Schaefer, from the US, is still baffled at times when in comes to national etiquette norms.
“A transatlantic company”
Stefanie Lemcke moved to the States and established an app firm in New York.
History part 3: The path to democracy
The new beginning after the Second World War: The USA supported Germany in establishing a democratic society.
Quick facts
2
parties
participated in the 58th presidential election in the USA
42
parties
participated in the election to the 19th German Bundestag
20.4 million
students
are enrolled in the USA
2.8 million
students
are enrolled in Germany
Shared history
Emigration
Away to a new world: German immigrants play a significant role in the history of the USA.
The World Wars
Two devastating wars that changed the course of history. The USA played a significant role in the Allies’ victory.
Post-war period
After the Second World War, the USA assumed a decisive role in Germany’s reconstruction.
Friendship and East-West conflict
“Ich bin ein Berliner” – how German-American friendship developed between rock and roll and East-West tensions.
Reunification
A historical milestone: The world grew a little bit closer together when the Berlin Wall came down.
Present and future
Germany and the USA are transatlantic friends; they share many values, but do not always agree on everything.
EUlogy of Defense
No longer able to rely on America’s military leadership, the EU is harmonizing its military capabilities and facilities.
Germany's commitment to NATO
Germany is a key ally in the world's most important security alliance.
Earn while you learn
The US Department of Labor has designated Charleston a national model region for the advancement of vocational training based on the German apprenticeship system.
Faces and Moments
The faces, the stories, the shared history – the German-American friendship in pictures.
North America
“Berlin is an innovation center”
What environmental economist Aaron Best so likes about his work for the Berlin-based think tank Ecologic Institut and German climate policy.
Dirk Nowitzki retires from the NBA
German basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki has announced his retirement after playing a record 21 seasons for the Dallas Mavericks.
Let’s get physikalisch
How I learned to love the Staatsangehörigkeitsbehörde – and to pronounce it properly.
An American's First Berlinale
DW's Hallie Rawlinson reports on her first time attending the Berlinale International Film Festival.
We believe in German-American friendship
Our countries are united through deep historical ties, shared values, and bold visions for the future. Join us for a year-long festival celebrating our transatlantic partnership through dialogue, experience, and exchange. #Wunderbartogether
“I don’t want to lecture the US”
The German Ambassador to Washington, Emily Haber, seeks to cultivate the collective.
The American Dream for Germans
The Director of the German Emigration Center Bremerhaven Simone Eick explains, why and when Germans migrated to the US.
The future of fahrvergnügen
The automotive industry is facing major challenges around the world. German carmakers have more to lose than most and are thus investing a great deal in securing its future.
Germany’s greatest revolution
Review of 1918: Why the German November Revolution has often been underestimated.
Diplomatic maintenance
Withdrawing from the nuclear deal is a major blunder – the E-3 must pick up the baton
Building bridges over Monument Valley
Political relations are also often a tightrope act. The athletes of "One Inch Dreams" prove that this can still succeed.
Bernstein in the Baltic
Reflections on American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, who would have been 100 this year.
Not without America
Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference explains why Europe must become more independent, yet cannot forgo its alliance with the US.
America is different. Germany is, too
Cornelia Funke talks about the high regard many Americans have for Germans, but also about German anti-Americanism and how the world can overcome nationalism.
History part 1: America’s German roots
Germans are the largest immigrant group in the USA – and yet are the least visible.
“Open and cordial”
Bettina Fleck is doing research at the universities in Stanford and Berkeley
“Our connections will remain strong”
Terry McCarthy is President of the American Academy in Berlin.
“Get out of your comfort zones!”
Five questions about studying in Germany to Noelle from Wisconsin
“Only the sky is the limit”
Five Questions about studying in the USA to Max from Cologne