Charles A. Kupchan, CFR’s top Europe expert, sees major improvements in the mood of U.S.-Europe relations, but, he cautions,  there are only “slim pickings” to show on policy issues like Iran and Afghanistan.

William Drozdiak, president of the independent American Council on Germany, says the White House meeting last week between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Bush indicates “they seem to have struck up a much more friendly rapport than what Bush had with her predecessor Gerhard Schroeder."

Germany’s U.S. ambassador says his country will use new leadership positions in both the European Union and the G8 to advance the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and issues such as energy security with Russia.

The president of the American Council on Germany sees a "definite improvement" in U.S.-German relations since Angela Merkel became chancellor five months ago. Ahead of Merkel's second visit to Washington this year, William Drozdiak says that a key issue for Merkel and President Bush is what to do about Iran's nuclear program.

Wolfgang Münchau writes that despite isolating himself from his peers in the European Central Bank, Jens Weidmann, president of the Deutsche Bundesbank, is actually winning the debate about future ECB policy.

Published in Spiegel, this interview with German Finance Minister Schäuble provides insight into the relationship between Minister Schäuble and his American counterpart, Secretary Geithner, as well as the German position on the latest financial developments like the recent move towards quantitative easing.

In this briefing note, Katinka Barsych examines the shifting relationship between Germany and the EU in the wake of the euro crisis and the ensuing financial aid package.

Mira Kamdar, a senior fellow at the World Policy Institute and an award-winning author, analyzes the rocky relationship between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Daniel Schäfer asks whether mid-range family owned businesses and industries in Germany that have an interest in trading with Iran undermine western efforts to isolate the Islamic Republic.

Using Germany as a case study, Benjamin Weinthal argues that strong business ties between Europe and Iran will pose a large obstacle if the Obama administration wishes to apply further pressure on Tehran.

James Wilson analyzes the case of Munich-based HRE, which he says reveals much about the behavior of banks during the credit boom.

A German city debates how changing to green initiatives will effect their city.

Nuclear power is too dangerous. Coal is too dirty. Gas involves too much dependence on Russia. And renewables are insufficient. So just where is Germany going to get its power from?