News
Happy Holidays and a Wonderful Christmas
As the year draws to a close, the Aspen Germany team extends its warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year. We are sincerely grateful for the continued support and engagement of our community, which strengthens and guides our work throughout the year.
Munich Cyber Security Report 2025
The cybersecurity landscape in 2025 is marked by significant volatility: geopolitical tensions, disruptive technologies, and a persistent shortage of skilled professionals are amplifying instability in cyberspace. The report on the 2025 Munich Cyber Security Conference outlines the current situation and highlights the key insights from the event.
Aspen Germany Holds Two Flagship Events in Tirana, Albania
Through two significant flagship events held in Tirana, Albania, the Aspen Institute Germany deepened its engagement in the Western Balkans as part of its long-term commitment to fostering regional dialogue and cooperation.
At the Aspen Institute Germany we want to promote values-based leadership, constructive dialogue, and international cooperation to tackle today‘s most pressing global challenges: geopolitical and geoeconomic conflicts, climate change, the health crisis, cyber risks, digitalization.
Events
- Deep Dive Security: Lageplan 2026 – Sicherheitspolitische Vorausschau für Deutschland und Europa im geopolitischen Spannungsfeld
- Russia’s war against Ukraine is entering its fourth year. Drones are disrupting operations at German airports. Cyberattacks are targeting critical infrastructure. Acts of sabotage are directed against overseas cables and data streams. Instability in the Middle East is exacerbating the global situation. And above all, there is the question of how resilient transatlantic security guarantees […]
- Jan 13, 2026
- German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue (2025-2026): Workshop 1
- On January 27,2026 the Aspen Institute will host its first Online Workshop in the 2026 German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue cycle. The workshop “From Washington to the World: Transatlantic Priorities for the 2026 G20 Agenda” will focus on how the United States and Europe can shape a forward-looking economic and trade agenda in light of […]
- Jan 27, 2026
- Fireside Chat with Professor Charles Kupchan
- The conversation will spotlight Professor Charles Kupchan – one of the most influential voices on transatlantic affairs and European security. As a former senior advisor at the White House and a leading scholar of foreign relations, Kupchan is known for his sharp foresight and his readiness to address difficult strategic questions directly. His expertise is […]
- Jan 29, 2026
Publications
Land Use Planning at the Intersection of Agriculture and Renewable Energy
The third cohort of the project “U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture” presents recommendations for land use between energy and agricultural production.
Laboratories of Democracy Initiative: Social Cohesion
The fifth cohort of state and provincial legislators from the United States, Germany, and Canada, participating in Aspen Germany’s Laboratories of Democracy Initiative, proudly presents their policy recommendations on social cohesion.
Spot On: “Der EU-US Handelsdeal – Ein Übereinkommen mit Schlagseite?“
In the latest Aspen Germany “Spot On”, Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner examines the EU-U.S. trade deal and the ongoing transatlantic tensions.
Podcasts
EP73: Future States of America – A glance at the USA in 10 years’ time
With Dr. Hendrik Ohnesorge (Center for Global Studies at the University of Bonn) and Dr. Julian Müller-Kaler (Strategic Foresight Hub, Stimson Center) on future scenarios, possible turning points, and the question of what role America will play in 2035.
Episode 72: Back to School – Science under pressure in Trump’s America
With Dr. Markus Thiel, Professor and Director of the EU/Jean Monnet Center of Excellence for Politics and International Relations at Florida International University, and Dr. Claus Hecking, Correspondent for North and South America and Head of Der Spiegel’s Boston office.
Episode 71: Chessboard Ukraine – Turning Point or Stalemate?
With Dr. Stefan Meister, Head of the Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia at the DGAP, and Johanna Roth, US-Correspondent for DIE ZEIT in Washington.
Programs
Digital
The Digital Program deals with the far-reaching social transformation processes of digitalization.
Europe
The Europe programs focuses on the future of Europe with a particular focus on the Western Balkans, EU enlargement, and questions of strategic autonomy.
Leadership
The Aspen Leadership Program facilitates exchange between people in leadership positions to foster values-based leadership.
Public
The Public Program provides a forum for open and constructive dialogue between decision-makers and a broader audience on a wide range of current global challenges.
Transatlantic
The Transatlantic Program facilitates an open, values-based dialogue on key challenges facing the transatlantic partnership.
About
The Aspen Institute Germany is an independent, non-partisan organization committed to promoting values-based leadership and open discourse on society, policy and global challenges.
Our Mission
The Aspen Institute Germany promotes values-based leadership, constructive dialog among conflicting parties, and Euro-Atlantic cooperation to support and enhance a strong open society.
Our history
The Aspen Institute Germany was founded in 1974 by Shepard Stone as the first Aspen Institute outside the United States. Founded in the midst of the Cold War, it promoted U.S.-German dialog with the Eastern Bloc.
Our Team
Director Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner has led the Aspen team since January 2021. Our Transatlantic, Digital, Public and Europe Programs are being supported by a team of currently 21 staff members.
Aspen international
In addition to the founding institute in the USA, the global Aspen network includes independent institutes in Central Europe (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia), France (Paris), Germany (Berlin), India (New Delhi), Italy (Rome), Japan (Tokyo), Mexico (Mexico City), New Zealand (Queenstown), Romania (Bucharest), Spain (Madrid), UK (London), and Ukraine (Kyiv).
