German American Conference

Tensions over trade issues have put the U.S. security guarantee in doubt. With no replacement in sight, a reluctant Germany has failed to define its role in global security matters within Europe and the transatlantic alliance. This fall, state elections in the Eastern Laender are likely to expose the legacy of Germany’s separation and its impact on attitudes towards Russia and the U.S.

Thirty years after the end of the Cold War, it is time for the US and Germany to take an honest account of transatlantic cooperation and disagreement: How will we handle economic competition between close allies? What will the German-American security partnership look like after 2020? How can we effectively respond to instability in Ukraine and threats by Russia?

This panel will bring together prominent national security leaders to discuss the new barriers being raised in transatlantic security, both between allies and rivals, and find approaches for their deconstruction.