News
Aspen Germany Annual General Meeting
As the international landscape continues to evolve, Aspen Institute Germany remains committed to its mission of fostering transatlantic dialogue, strengthening democratic resilience, and bringing together leaders from politics, business, academia, media, and civil society to address shared challenges. This year’s Annual General Meeting offered an opportunity to reflect on the Institute’s progress, discuss its strategic priorities, and reaffirm the strong leadership that guides its work.
The State of Social Cohesion
As part of the Future Cities Go Glocal project, two online panel discussions explored the role of cities in global cooperation and democratic participation. The event was held in partnership with Aspen Institute Mexico, Aspen Initiative Nairobi, and Ananta Aspen Centre Delhi.
Subnational Policy Dialogue: Discover Germany & Berlin Freedom Week
As part of the Subnational Policy Dialogue: Discover Germany & Berlin Freedom Week program, two delegation trips will bring U.S. decision-makers to Germany. The program focuses on transatlantic cooperation, security, business, and democratic resilience.
New Project: “Digital Defenders: Influencers for Digital Democracy”
The Aspen Institute Germany is excited to announce the launch of “Digital Defenders: Influencers for Digital Democracy”. The two-year project will bring together motivated digital voices to strengthen democratic resilience online.
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
- Oxford-style debate: “Should Germany introduce compulsory military service?”
- Germany’s security landscape is shifting. As debates over European defense autonomy intensify and NATO allies reassess their military readiness, the question of mandatory military service has moved from the margins to the center of German political discourse. On July 23, 2026, Aspen Institute Germany and the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) will host an […]
- Jul 23, 2026
- RESET Virtual Meeting #6: Foresight Workshop 3
- As part of the RESET initiative by Aspen Institute Germany, the 2026 cohort convenes for its final foresight workshop, marking the culmination of their structured dialogue on the future of the transatlantic partnership. In this session, participants synthesize insights from previous workshops and the Norfolk study trip, refining and consolidating their policy recommendations on transatlantic […]
- Sep 03, 2026
- Deep Dive Discussion: Deterrence in the 21st Century: Nuclear Strategy in an Age of Disruption
- The global security order is undergoing a period of profound transformation: great power competition is intensifying, emerging technologies are reshaping military capabilities at unprecedented speed, and existing arms control frameworks are steadily eroding. Against this backdrop, the logic of nuclear deterrence itself is increasingly being called into question. The panel discussion “Deterrence in the 21st Century: […]
- Sep 10, 2026
Publications
Four Years After Russia’s Attack: Potential for Peace in Ukraine?
Four years after Russia’s invasion, the publication examines the conditions for a lasting peace – and why stronger support for Ukraine remains essential.
From Efficiency to Security
This publication highlights how security is reshaping global trade policy—and why we are seeing not a sudden paradigm shift, but a gradual transformation with far-reaching implications for global trade rules.
When Interdependence Becomes Leverage
The publication examines how China uses economic interdependence as strategic leverage, challenging assumptions about trade, convergence, and global economic governance.
Podcasts
EP82: America 250: Who Tells the American Story?
With Dr. Petra Dolata, Associate Professor of History at the University of Calgary (Canada), and Dr. Petra Gödde, Professor of Transnational History and the History of U.S. Foreign Relations at Temple University (Philadelphia, USA) and co-editor of the academic journal Diplomatic History, we discuss the 250th anniversary of American independence, the major transformations in U.S. history, and why history is so heavily politicized in the United States.
EP81: MAGA in the Stadium: Trump’s Sports Agenda and the 2026 World Cup
With Ronny Blaschke, author and freelance sports journalist based in Berlin, and Dirk Hautkapp, journalist and U.S. correspondent for the Funke Media Group based in Washington, D.C., we discuss Trump’s sport agenda and the political dimensions of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
EP80: America First 2.0: Trump’s Economic and Trade Policy Under Pressure
With Ulrike Malmendier, Cora Jane Flood Professor of Finance and Professor of Economics at University of California, Berkeley, and Melanie Vogelbach, Head of International Economic Policy at the DIHK, we discuss Trumponomics and its consequences for the transatlantic trade relationship.
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).
