The Zeitgeist

The Zeitgeist


Latest Episodes

Episode 127: A New Normal in Transatlantic Trade?
June 04, 2025

President Trump claims the international trading system is unfair to the United States. The Trump administration is seeking to rectify trade imbalances through tariffs and is trying to reshape the

Episode 126: Pride and Politics: The Complex Relationship between the LGBTIQ+ Community and Politics
May 13, 2025

The LGBTQ+ communities in Germany and the United States have been working toward greater legal rights, but laws and politicians in both countries have threatened to not only halt progress

Episode 125: The Future of the U.S. Security Relationship with Europe
April 23, 2025

In his second term, President Trump has continued his criticism of NATO and European allies defense efforts while the United States pursues a reset with Russiathe main threat to European

Episode 124: Tariffs, Taxes, and Their International Ramifications
March 26, 2025

The Trump administration has taken sweeping actions on tariffs, with more scheduled to be imposed in April. On this episode of The Zeitgeist, Kim Clausing explains the administrations approach to

Episode 123: An Expanding German Memory Culture
March 12, 2025

For decades, memory culture in Germany has largely focused on coming to terms with and memorializing the Holocaust. In recent years, however, memory discourses have expanded to include, among others,

Episode 122: The German Bundestag Election Results
February 24, 2025

Shortly after the polls closed in Germany, Jeff Rathke, Eric Langenbacher, and Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger discussed the results of the snap elections. They give their reactions to the performance of t

Episode 121: Climate Change and National Security
February 12, 2025

Climate change can create national security risks, test military resilience, and redefine how countries pursue their geopolitical interests. Sherri Goodman, author of Threat Multiplier: Climate, Milit

Episode 120: The Issues Driving German Politics One Month from the Bundestag Election
January 29, 2025

With the German elections slated for February 23, Member of the Bundestag Omid Nouripour, a former national co-chairman of the Green Party, joinsThe Zeitgeistto discuss the issues shaping the campai

Episode 119: Voter Volatility and Political Stagnation
January 15, 2025

Germany votes for a new parliament on February 23. While the center-right Christian Democrats maintain a lead in the polls, the three parties of Olaf Scholzs outgoing traffic light coalition

Episode 118: Is There a Leadership Vacuum in Europe?
December 19, 2024

Who does the United States call when it wants to call Europe, especially as Germany enters a transition through early elections and France experiences political turmoil? Dr. Phyllis Berry joins