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DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

Berlin Briefing has been named Best Political Podcast 2026 by the Podcast Publisher Awards - thank you! Every week we break down how events like Russia's war in Ukraine and European security shifts are shaping Germany - and the world. Whether you’re a student, journalist, or policymaker, hosts Nina Haase, Michaela Küfner, and Max Hofmann and their guests deliver the insights you need to understand where Germany is headed and why it matters, with a hint of Berlin's distinct energy. Subscribe to our newsletter: dw.com/berlinbriefing. Leave us a comment here: newsletter@dw.com. Or find us on YouTube @dwnews and X @dw_politics.

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41 episodes
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Avg 32 min
English

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Wednesday · 37 min
Democracy won. But who really holds the power?
The US midterms showed voters still shape politics. But can democracy thrive when wealth and tech concentrate power? DW's Nina Haase and Michaela Küfner discuss with activist Natalija Petrović and journalist Gil Durán.
November 6 · 32 min
Europe is celebrating Trump's defeat. Should it be?
Trump’s midterms setback raises big questions for Germany, Europe and the world. Max Hofmann is joined by Michaela Küfner, Ines Pohl and Daniel Gerlach to unpack the global implications of the results.
November 5 · 10 min
What the US Midterms mean for Europe (Interview with Peter Beyer)
After the US Midterm elections, Berlin Briefing's Max Hofmann talked to Peter Beyer, Germany's former Coordinator for Transatlantic Cooperation (2018-2022) to discuss German expectations for the new Congress.
October 29 · 31 min
Can Germany's pivot to Asia end its reliance on...China?
As Chancellor Merz visits Asia, Germany seeks to "de-risk" from China. On this Berlin Briefing episode, DW's Giulia Saudelli, Steven Beardsley and Nina Haase discuss trade, security and new Indo-Pacific partnerships.
October 27 · 14 min
Berlin Briefing recommends: Call Sign Condor
DW’s Max Hofmann speaks with DW correspondent Carolina Chimoy about her new podcast series, Call Sign Condor, which follows Latin American soldiers fighting in Ukraine. Listen here: https://pod.link/6808417916?maca=en-podcast_Berlin_Briefing-42113-xml-mrss
October 22 · 30 min
If Europe wants independence, why does it keep turning to the US?
Europe wants growth, innovation and strategic autonomy. But can it become more competitive without becoming more dependent on the US? Max Hofmann speaks with Cecilia Malmström and Kai Steinecke on Berlin Briefing.
October 19 · 11 min
From intelligence scandals to Russia’s shadow war:  Ex-Estonian defense chief Hanno Pevkur discusses Europe’s security challenges
At the Warsaw Security Forum, Nina Haase spoke with the ex-Estonian defense chief about Germany’s recent spy scandal and Russia. The bigger question: How can intelligence shared with another country be protected?
October 14 · 21 min
Former German Minister Habeck: Russia remains the biggest threat
From the Warsaw Security Forum, Nina Haase and Alexandra von Nahmen speak with Robert Habeck on Russia, the Arctic’s strategic role and democratic resilience.
October 7 · 34 min
Former BND head arrested: Can Germany still be trusted with secrets?
As Germany's former spy chief is accused of selling state secrets, Berlin Briefing looks at the allegations, the fallout for the BND intelligence agency & the wider impact of Germany's biggest espionage scandal in years.
October 2 · 35 min
Can Ukraine still count on Germany?
Friedrich Merz says support for Ukraine is a matter of national interest. This week's Berlin Briefing asks whether a far-right AfD surge and Russia's return to the negotiating table spell trouble.
September 23 · 30 min
Germany's great divide: Is Friedrich Merz losing the center?
In this Berlin Briefing, Nina Haase, Michaela Küfner and Max Hofmann discuss the far-right AfD party's ambitions, why Berlin's Left Party win is no Mamdani moment, and what's next for Germany's embattled chancellor.
September 16 · 30 min
Germany's security gamble: More than an arms deal?
Is Germany buying security or dependence? This week on Berlin Briefing: Michaela Küfner, Nina Haase and Ines Pohl unpack Germany's latest US weapons deal, NATO's future and Washington's expectations.
September 9 · 32 min
AfD and Russia: Why Saxony-Anhalt matters for Germany
The far-right AfD won a record 44% in Saxony-Anhalt. Is this a regional protest vote, or a broader shift in German politics? DW's Nina Haase, Max Hofmann, Michaela Küfner and Matthew Moore discuss the results.
September 4 · 30 min
Saxony-Anhalt elections: Interview with AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund
Ahead of Saxony-Anhalt's state elections, Berlin Briefing's Max Hofmann talks to Matthew Moore about his interview with AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund and the radical vision he and his far-right party want to enact.
September 3 · 33 min
Not at war, yet under attack: Germany's Russia challenge
Germany has officially blamed Russia for a suspected hybrid attack at Leipzig airport. Hosts Nina Haase and Max Hofmann discuss what that means for Germany and NATO with DW’s Teri Schultz and Roman Goncharenko.
September 1 · 37 min
Berlin Briefing #100: Germany, Europe & the world – Your questions, our answers
For our 100th episode, DW’s Nina Haase, Michaela Küfner and Max Hofmann have come together with colleagues to answer the toughest questions that you've sent us and reflect on the future challenges facing Germany.
August 31 · 18 min
Saxony-Anhalt elections: Interview with CDU candidate Sven Schulze
Ahead of the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin Briefing host Michaela Küfner interviewed Sven Schulze, state premier and the CDU's candidate.
August 27 · 40 min
Saxony-Anhalt: An election that could change Germany? | Berlin Briefing Podcast
Could a regional vote by less than 3% of the German electorate reshape national politics and redefine the center parties' response to the far right? The AfD leads polls ahead of the Saxony-Anhalt election. In this Berlin Briefing, DW's Nina Haase, Michaela Küfner and Matthew Moore talk to Dr. Roland Abold of infratest dimap about what the election means for Germany's political future.
August 21 · 36 min
Germany's climate crisis: Why politics struggle to keep up
Germany is heating and drying up faster than ever. Yet climate change is not high on the agenda of many politicians. Together with sustainability researcher Maja Göpel and SPD climate spokesperson Jakob Blankenburg, DW’s Berlin Bureau Chief Max Hofmann examines the growing gap between climate reality and political action and asks: can Germany keep up with climate change?
August 14 · 31 min
“Was it Russia?” Is the Leipzig drone attack part of a hybrid war?
DW’s Michaela Küfner asks security analyst Hans-Jakob Schindler, disinformation expert Julia Smirnova and DW Riga Bureau Chief Juri Rescheto to piece together what we know about the drone incident at Leipzig airport. How exposed is Germany to what the government admits are “daily attacks in a hybrid war”? And what, if anything, can we make of the awkward silence from German officials on Russia?

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