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DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

DW
Germany
Ukraine
European Union
NATO
Russia
Friedrich Merz
Donald Trump
China
AFD
United States
Alternative For Germany
Migration
Israel
European Security
Angela Merkel
Iran
Bundeswehr
Social Democrats
Munich Security Conference
Alternative Für Deutschland

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

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 th... more

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 pressure? Why the resistance? And could this become a serious threat to ... more

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 government stability? DW's Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase separate political dr... more

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 cabinet reshuffling. DW's Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase discuss with go... more

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Recent Guests

Veronika Grimm
Leading economic expert, German Council of Economic Experts
German economic institutions
Episode: Is Germany's pension reform reopening the East-West divide?
Andreas Rinke
Chief Correspondent for Reuters and Chief Political Correspondent for DW Berlin Briefing
Reuters
Episode: Germany's summer crisis: A cabinet reshuffle gone wrong?
Birgit Maas
DW UK correspondent
DW
Episode: Burnham's German plan: Why Britain's new PM is looking to Europe
Anitta Ditta
DW London correspondent
DW
Episode: Burnham's German plan: Why Britain's new PM is looking to Europe
Carolina Drüten
International Security Correspondent at WELT
WELT
Episode: What do war games reveal about Europe’s security future?
Marcel Fratzscher
President of the German Institute for Economic Research
German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)
Episode: Boost or bust the AfD? Inside Friedrich Merz’ gamble to reform Germany
Emily Haber
Former German ambassador to the United States
German Government / Diplomacy
Episode: 250 Years of USA: Where Germany needs to pivot now
Ines Paul
Head of DW Washington Bureau
DW
Episode: 250 Years of USA: Where Germany needs to pivot now
Melanie Amann
Prominent analyst on the AfD
Funke Media Group
Episode: Rewriting the past? Inside the AfD's history agenda

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

4.6 out of 5 stars from 121 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
    Germany5 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

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Germany's summer crisis: A cabinet reshuffle gone wrong?
Q: What are the changes that will be most felt abroad in terms of Germany's image and policy?
Key shifts center on the Chancellery leadership, especially Nina Wagen, and the overall capacity of Merz's team to coordinate the government and maintain stability.
Germany's summer crisis: A cabinet reshuffle gone wrong?
Q: Are the changes now complete, or do you expect further changes within your coalition or your coalition partners following the state elections in September?
The hosts discuss likely remaining vacancies and conclude there may be a few more adjustments, but the core reshuffle is largely in place for now.
250 Years of USA: Where Germany needs to pivot now
Q: So, Emily, how worried should we be about the answer to the question, rough patch or something fundamental changing?
Emily Haber emphasizes that despite a rough patch, the U.S. remains a crucial partner for Germany, but notes a structural shift in U.S. foreign policy that points to less central American focus on Europe and more emphasis on Asia and other strategic challenges.
Rewriting the past? Inside the AfD's history agenda
Q: What makes Höcke's statements about German guilt different from previous far-right narratives?
They represent a shift toward reframing the German role in the Holocaust and attempting to separate the German people from the perpetrator history, a move that signals a strategic effort to normalize revisionist views within mainstream discourse.
Inside Germany's big UN defeat
Q: Let's start with you and with the basics. Can you walk us through what exactly happened?
Myriel explains that two Western European seats were up for election in the General Assembly, Germany was competing with Austria and Portugal, and Germany failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority in the first round, unlike Austria which won decisively.

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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. Living Planet
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. Newshour
5. Global News Podcast

How many episodes of DW Berlin Briefing are there?

DW Berlin Briefing launched 2 years ago and published 98 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. Veronika Grimm
2. Andreas Rinke
3. Birgit Maas
4. Anitta Ditta
5. Carolina Drüten
6. Marcel Fratzscher
7. Emily Haber
8. Ines Paul

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