AGI

Society

Our societies are changing on both sides of the Atlantic thanks to demographic change, immigration and integration, and regional differences—among other factors. Greater understanding about our cultures, an open exchange about emerging issues, and fostering dialogue between different groups can help German and American societies build stronger internal and external connections and awareness.
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AGI Profiles: Leif-Erik Holm

Member of the Bundestag; AfD State Chairman in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Leif-Erik Holm is a father, politician, loyal party member, local celebrity, and a “nice guy.” A founder of the Alternative …

Time for a Change?

Thoughts on the National Anthem of Germany The story of the Deutschlandlied (song of Germany) is one of turbulence and shifting perceptions. It was written in 1841 by August Heinrich …

Episode 142: The AfD and the 2026 State Elections

Five state elections will be held in Germany in 2026. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) enters this “super election year” in a strong position: it is the largest opposition party …

Gender-Blind, Not Gender-Neutral

Friedrich Merz and Pension Reform Hoping, for the third time, to become CDU party chair, Friedrich Merz declared in January 2021: “I know that we have to be better and …

AGI Profiles: Bärbel Bas

Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Over the last few years, Bärbel Bas has emerged as one of the more prominent figures in German politics. At the 2025 party …

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Episode 141: Germany’s Other Populist Party

The BSW (formerly the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, now Alliance for Social Justice and Economic Reason) had early successes after its founding in 2024, winning seats in the European Parliament and …

AGI Profiles: Ulrich Siegmund

Member of the Landtag of Saxony-Anhalt; AfD Parliamentary Group Leader Ulrich Siegmund is becoming a star within the ranks of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). He is a salesman by …

Two Shades of Liberalism

D66’s Rise in the Netherlands and the FDP’s Collapse in Germany When Dutch voters returned to the polls in late October 2025 after the collapse of the short-lived Schoof government, …

Where Does the Catholic Church Stand on Migration Policy?

On November 12, 2025, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released a special message at its annual conference in Baltimore, the first of its kind in the last …

Grassroots LGBTQ+ Resistance to Federal Pressures

Over the course of 2025, the Trump administration has implemented policies and executive orders designed to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; defund support services for vulnerable groups, including …

Episode 138: The Trump Administration, the AfD, and German Foreign Policy

Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been known for its foreign policy embrace of Russia and China, but in recent months, the party has turned its sights on building ties …

Building Resilience

How LGBTQ+ Organizations in Germany and the United States Navigate Right-Wing Backlash Participants in the American-German Institute program “Building LGBTQ+ Communities in Germany and the United States” gathered in Washington, …

(De)Romanticizing Uncertainty at the Transatlantic Science-Policy Interface?

Insights from a U.S.-German Case Study On November 21, 2025, South Carolina became the first U.S. state to sign a Joint Declaration of Intent with Germany, formalizing a new economic …

Safe But Not Secure

Perceived Threats and Queer Realities in Washington, DC, and Germany In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s election in 2016 and his resurgence in 2024, LGBTQ+ communities across the United States …