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: [email protected]. Or find us on YouTu...
Latest episodes
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31 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…
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12 min
From intelligence scandals to Russia’s shadow war: Ex-Estonian defense chief Hanno Pevkur discusses Europe’s s…
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 wi…
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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.
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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 Germa…
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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 tabl…
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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…
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31 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 Washing…
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33 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 Matth…
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31 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…
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34 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…
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38 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 f…
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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.
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41 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 th…
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37 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 clim…
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32 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 th…
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33 min
Is Germany's pension reform reopening the East-West divide?
A landmark pension reform is triggering backlash from eastern Germany and exposing deep divisions within Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party. Why is Germany's pension system under pr…
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35 min
Germany's summer crisis: A cabinet reshuffle gone wrong?
An ad-hoc cabinet reshuffle backfired on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. With political egos flying and hurt feelings all around, could inner-party frustration threaten governmen…
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33 min
Merz Under Pressure: What the Berlin Pride Attack Changes for Germany
The attack on Berlin Pride has triggered a political debate. Calls for tougher security measures are getting louder, and pressure is mounting on Friedrich Merz's government amid ca…
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41 min
Burnham's German plan: Why Britain's new PM is looking to Europe
Brexit was supposed to pull Britain away from Europe. Yet 10 years on, Britain's new prime minister is championing ideas that look strikingly familiar to Germans – ideas which Berl…
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46 min
What do war games reveal about Europe’s security future?
What can a war game tell us about a real-world security crisis? In this episode of Berlin Briefing, DW’s Nina Haase speaks with Carolina Drüten, International Security Corresponden…