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DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

DW
Germany
Ukraine
NATO
European Union
Russia
Friedrich Merz
Donald Trump
Afd
China
United States
Alternative For Germany
Migration
Israel
European Security
Iran
Angela Merkel
Bundeswehr
Saxony-Anhalt
Social Democrats
Climate Change

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... more

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Latest Episodes

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Recent Guests

Teri Schultz
NATO expert based in Brussels
NATO
Episode: Not at war, yet under attack: Germany's Russia challenge
Sven Schulze
State Premier and CDU top candidate in Saxony-Anhalt
CDU Saxony-Anhalt
Episode: Saxony-Anhalt elections: Interview with CDU candidate Sven Schulze
Ulrich Siegmund
AfD lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt
Alternative for Germany (AfD)
Episode: Saxony-Anhalt: An election that could change Germany? | Berlin Briefing Podcast
Sven Schorzen
Conservative candidate representative discussed in interview
CDU (Conservative Party)
Episode: Saxony-Anhalt: An election that could change Germany? | Berlin Briefing Podcast
Maja Göpel
Professor for Sustainability Transformations
Lüneburg University (Lufthansa University of Lüneburg)
Episode: Germany's climate crisis: Why politics struggle to keep up
Jakob Blankenburg
SPD spokesperson on environmental and climate policy
Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)
Episode: Germany's climate crisis: Why politics struggle to keep up
Hans-Jakob Schindler
Senior Director of the Counter Extremism Project
Counter Extremism Project
Episode: “Was it Russia?” Is the Leipzig drone attack part of a hybrid war?
Julia Smirnova
Moscow Bureau Chief, currently based in Riga after DW was expelled from Russia in 2022
Deutsche Welle (DW)
Episode: “Was it Russia?” Is the Leipzig drone attack part of a hybrid war?
Veronika Grimm
Leading economic expert, German Council of Economic Experts
German economic institutions
Episode: Is Germany's pension reform reopening the East-West divide?

Hosts

Nina Haase
Host of Berlin briefing; defense expert; DW (Deutsche Welle) team member
Michaela Küfner
Host of Berlin Briefing; chief political editor
Richard Walker
Host of Berlin Briefing; DW correspondent on politics

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 127 ratings
  • State propaganda

    This channel has to be financed by the German people through a mandatory fee and in no way reflects what the majority thinks. It's like the German CNN...

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Newur
    Germany6 months ago
  • Tacheles talking

    Very informative, love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    orangewise
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Best English-language analysis of German politics

    Excellent analysis of German politics and the power dynamics in Berlin. Much better than DW’s own podcast, Inside Europe, which is too concerned with avoiding being seen as biased so never actually provides any insight.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zaptrax
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners feel coverage can be perceived as biased against certain parties
Polished journalism with strong expert guests
Balanced, insightful take on German politics
High-quality analysis that's accessible to non-specialists

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Saxony-Anhalt elections: Interview with AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund
Q: What is the plan for the state broadcaster and how would that affect information access for residents?
Proposes cancelling the state broadcasting contract as a major reform, arguing it would reduce perceived state influence over media and widen perspectives for citizens, though the specifics and consequences would be complex to implement.
Saxony-Anhalt elections: Interview with AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund
Q: How would you handle education policy to reduce ideological influence and better prepare students for life?
Institute policies that remove perceived ideological bias from the curriculum and ensure teachers can focus on practical education, with support for refugee and special needs education.
Saxony-Anhalt elections: Interview with AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund
Q: If you win, what are the top priorities within the first 100 days?
Two priorities: tackle root causes of social issues by reforming media funding and implement a complete overhaul of migration policy, including a deportation framework and stricter enforcement.
Saxony-Anhalt elections: Interview with CDU candidate Sven Schulze
Q: Lebanon-sounding remarks on citizenship and the Berlin Pride attacker prompted questions about citizenship principles; what is your stance on citizenship criteria and how would you respond if challenged post-election?
Schulze clarifies that if someone is a security threat and holds another nationality, it's a legitimate discussion to have, but he stresses that decisions should be grounded in security concerns and constitutional processes.
Saxony-Anhalt elections: Interview with CDU candidate Sven Schulze
Q: How concerned are you about hybrid threats from Russia? There's a lot of disinformation, and I'd like to show you a clip that you've probably seen, which demonstrates the scale of the challenge the campaign faces.
The answer emphasizes gratitude for media oversight, the deliberate spread of disinformation from Russia, and the need to rely on authorities and fact-based reporting to uphold election integrity.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About DW Berlin Briefing

What is DW Berlin Briefing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program analyzes German politics, European security, and transatlantic dynamics through expert commentary, live reporting, and policy debates. Episodes often feature economists, diplomats, journalists, and policymakers debating reform agendas, foreign policy, and domestic challenges, with a focus on how Germany fits into broader European and global trends. A notable edge is its ability to pair technical analysis with on-the-ground reporting from colleagues and guests, making complex issues accessible to listeners such as policymakers, journalists, and academics. The show frequently revisits themes like coalition dynamics, economic reform, defense and security, and Germany's role on the world stage, helping listeners assess risks, opport... more

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Which podcasts are similar to DW Berlin Briefing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with DW Berlin Briefing:

1. Inside Europe
2. Newshour
3. Economist Podcasts
4. Brussels Playbook Podcast
5. Langsam Gesprochene Nachrichten | Audios | DW Deutsch lernen

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DW Berlin Briefing launched 2 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on DW Berlin Briefing?

Recent guests on DW Berlin Briefing include:

1. Teri Schultz
2. Sven Schulze
3. Ulrich Siegmund
4. Sven Schorzen
5. Maja Göpel
6. Jakob Blankenburg
7. Hans-Jakob Schindler
8. Julia Smirnova

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