The Zeitgeist
Latest Episodes
Episode 98: 2023 in Review
2023 was a tumultuous year in German politics and foreign policy. Chancellor Olaf Scholzs coalition government is polling at record lows following a series of unpopular policies and setbacks in
Episode 97: LGBTQ+ Spaces, Public Art, and Memory
Public memorials have many functions: honoring victims, acknowledging history, or symbolizing values. After the 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the site was transformed
Episode 96: The United States and Germany in a Shifting Global Order
The international order built by the United States after World War II is under strain, and the consensus about Americas role that used to unite U.S. political leaders and the
Episode 95: German Security Policy’s Balancing Act
Dr. Constanze Stelzenmller joins this episode of The Zeitgeist to discuss Germany, transatlantic defense, and the Wests response to todays challenging security order. Are Germany and the United Sta
Episode 94: The German-Israeli Relationship Following the October 7 Terror Attacks
On October 7, Hamas terrorists carried out a surprise attack that killed 1,400 peoplethe deadliest day in Israels history. Over 200 people remain hostages. One of the first foreign leaders
Episode 93: Sahra Wagenknecht Tries to Shake Up German Politics with a New Party
On October 23, one of Germanys most popular politicians Sahra Wagenknecht announced that she would leave the Left Party and form a new political party. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW)
Episode 92: State Elections in Bavaria and Hesse
Two German Lnder elected their state parliaments on Sunday, October 8: Bavaria and Hesse. In both states, it appears that the current coalitions will continue, led by center-right parties (the
Episode 91: After the Zeitenwende: Is Germany’s Military Measuring Up?
Dr. Eva Hgl is the German Bundestags Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, assisting the Parliament in their oversight of the German military. She is working to ensure that everyone
Episode 90: A Fragmenting Global Economic System?
The multilateral economic order is in crisis. The WTO no longer has the final word on trade issues, the IMF and World bank have lost market share as lenders, and
Episode 89: Forty Years of Anticipating Trends
Dr. Jill McGovern has been involved with AGI since the idea for it came about in 1981. As part of our AGI at Forty series, Dr. McGovern reflects on how