• • September 14, 2025
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• • September 20, 2025

From September 14 to September 20, 2025, the Aspen Institute Germany, together with the German Federal Foreign Office and the National Association of Secretaries of State, organized a delegation trip on the topic of election security and democracy. With leadership changes on both sides of the Atlantic, it is high time for forging new political partnerships and reflecting on the strength of old alliances. At the core of the political systems of Germany and the United States is a commitment to democracy; this commitment is not only pursued within state capitols but also beyond on a subnational level.  This study tour brought together twelve U.S. Secretaries of State to Berlin, Stuttgart, and Karlsruhe for a week of discussions on transatlantic ties and shared strategies on how to mutually brace German and U.S. democratic systems against future challenges.