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DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

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

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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Artwork for DW Berlin Briefing

Latest Episodes

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.

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.

YouTube

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.

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.

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Elif Erald
Left Party candidate in Berlin
Left Party (Berlin)
Episode: Germany's great divide: Is Friedrich Merz losing the center?
Boris Pistorius
German Defense Minister
Germany, Federal Government
Episode: Germany's security gamble: More than an arms deal?
Teri Schultz
NATO expert based in Brussels
NATO
Episode: Not at war, yet under attack: Germany's Russia challenge
Roman Goncharenko
Br Bonn correspondent
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

Hosts

Max Hofmann
Co-host and head of Berlin Bureau; frequent host and interview moderating a range of political analysis.
Nina Haase
Host and framing voice for Berlin Briefing segments; experienced political journalist.
Michaela Küfner
Co-host; Chief Political Editor with a focus on Berlin politics and policy analysis.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 137 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
    Germany7 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.

Informative and insightful coverage of German politics.
High-quality analysis with strong guest lineups.
Some listeners feel coverage can lean toward insider perspectives; others praise depth over breadth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

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

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About DW Berlin Briefing

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

A politics-focused current affairs show that analyzes how Germany's domestic politics intersect with European security, transatlantic alliances, and international diplomacy. Episodes frequently feature high-profile policymakers, journalists, and researchers discussing topics like Ukraine, defense spending, the rise of the AfD, pension reform, and climate policy, with a careful balance between data-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from Berlin. Notable strengths include a panel-based format with multiple guests, timely ties to both domestic and international events, and a track record of hosting experts from government, media, and academia to provide context on Germany's role in Europe and beyond. The program tends to cater to list... more

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How many episodes of DW Berlin Briefing are there?

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. Elif Erald
2. Boris Pistorius
3. Teri Schultz
4. Roman Goncharenko
5. Sven Schulze
6. Ulrich Siegmund
7. Sven Schorzen
8. Maja Göpel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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