German Marshall Fund's Podcast

In this GMF Podcast, Communications Director Will Bohlen interviews Dr. Tomicah Tillemann, Senior Advisor to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies, about the new LEND network, created to connect leaders in emerging democracies. The initiative, co-chaired by the United States and Estonia, provides real-time interaction between countries through voice, video, and text communication.

Angela Merkel has been criticized for her approach to the Eurozone crisis. Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff, GMF's Senior Transatlantic Fellow, joined Background Briefing's Ian Masters to discuss Merkel's financial policies, the outcome of the latest G20 meeting and its implications for Europe, Britain and the United States.

Greece's New Democracy Party won thirty percent of the vote in last weekend's elections. Now the Party looks to form a governing coalition that will keep Greece in the European Union. GMF's Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff joined Wisconsin Public Radio's Kathleen Dunn to discuss the path forward for Greece and the European Union.

In this podcast, GMF Transatlantic Fellow Joshua Walker, interviews Ambassador Ishii, Director of the Public Planning Staff for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Japan. Ambassador Ishii outlines the advantages of the U.S. pivot toward Asia, discusses North Korea’s failed rocket launch, the effect of the Iran crisis on Japan’s energy needs, and looking beyond Japan’s traditional foreign policy partners of the United States and EU to encompass India and the Republic of Korea.

In this podcast, GMF Senior Transatlantic Fellow Bruce Stokes interviews Pawel Swieboda, President of demosEUROPA in Warsaw, Poland, about how the European debt crisis will change EU-Asia relations. Mr. Swieboda outlines how economic troubles between the two regions will put the EU-China relationship on a level playing field, since China will have to consider the EU’s concerns on improved market access.

In this podcast, GMF Senior Transatlantic Fellow Bruce Stokes interviews Ken Endo, a Professor at Hokkaido University School of Law in Japan, about the impact of the euro-debt crisis on Asia. Professor Endo shares his view on banking regulation changes and how Japan should take a role in shaping future regulations for the global financial sector.

In this GMF podcast, John Barrett, Chief Professional Officer for Climate Change, Environment, Infrastructure, and Livelihoods at the UK Department for International Development (DFID), discusses DFID’s new approach to agricultural development, looking at the pivot toward a greater commitment and investment in food security. He describes specific ways that practitioners and government stakeholders can engage the private sector, and emphasized the role of markets, women, and regional trade as a catalyst for transformational change.

In this GMF podcast, Felix Mosha Chairman of the Confederation of Tanzania Industry, explains the role of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania in creating transformational economic development in Tanzania, especially as it relates to food security, and outlined how the project differs from past programs.

In this GMF podcast, Brussels Office Director, Ian Lesser, interviews Yoel Mester, Political Counsellor for the Mission of Israel to the EU, about regional security challenges from Israel’s perspective, relations with the United States and the European Union on Iran’s nuclear program, and how to move forward with the peace process.

In this GMF podcast, Urban and Regional Policy Program Assistant Casey Kuklick interviews Denver Igarta, urban planner for the city of Portland, about his GMF fellowship studying livable streets in Munich, Rotterdam, Copenhagen, and Malmo.

In this podcast, GMF Senior Fellow Jim Kolbe interviews Robert Cunnane, USAID Mission Director in Tanzania, about U.S. President Obama’s Feed the Future initiative to improve food security in Africa. Cunnane outlines the goals of the program in Tanzania and emphasizes the growing importance of public-private partnerships.

In this GMF podcast, Senior Fellow Jim Kolbe interviews Khalid Bomba, CEO of the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), a new agency dedicated to addressing Ethiopia’s most pressing food security issues in innovative ways. Bomba outlines how the inclusion of the Ethiopian Prime Minister is transforming their approach to agricultural policies, and the major differences between ATA and other organizations aimed at improving economic development in the country.

In this GMF podcast, Transatlantic Academy Program Officer Nicholas Siegel interviews Kim Lane Scheppele, Princeton University, about the key concerns and criticisms surrounding the new Hungarian constitution.

In this GMF podcast, Urban and Regional Policy Program Assistant Casey Kuklick speaks with former GMF Fellow Steve Wartheim about his research on urban planning strategies in the European cities of Torino, Amsterdam, Lyon, and Copenhagen. He outlines the potential ways to use these strategies in U.S. cities, as well as obstacles presented by the U.S. planning paradigm.

In this podcast, GMF Transatlantic Fellow Joshua Walker speaks with Zbigniew Brzezinski, former U.S. national security advisor under President Jimmy Carter. Brzezinski discusses the major issues covered in his latest book, Strategic Vision: America and the Crisis of Global Power, including Russian geopolitics and the Eurasian Union, Turkey and Russia’s perspective on the Eurozone crisis, the Arab Spring, and the complex future of U.S.-Asian relations.

In this podcast, GMF Senior Fellow Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff interviews German Bundestag Member Hans-Ulrich Klose about the future of Europe given the ongoing economic crisis. They discuss the impact of the crisis on defense spending, how the EU’s shrinking population may impact its influence, and how Europe must engage in global “burden sharing.”

In this GMF podcast, Senior Fellow Peter Semneby discusses security in the South Caucasus with Giga Bokeria, Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia. They look at Georgia's biggest security threat, means of resolving conflicts in the region, and the potential role of the European Union.

In this GMF podcast, Director of Communications Will Bohlen interviews Vice President of Programs Ivan Vejvoda about Serbia’s official status as a candidate for EU membership. Vejvoda outlines the major changes Serbia has undergone to get this far in the process, the final steps to membership, and why Serbia remains positive about joining the EU despite recent economic turmoil in the region.

In this GMF podcast, the Asia Program's Amy Studdart speaks to GMF Fellow Andrew Small in Kabul about the atmosphere on the ground following the burning of the Koran by American soldiers at Bagram and the shooting of two U.S. advisors inside an Afghan ministry. They discuss implications for the Afghanistan NATO mission and the risk of a further escalation in violence.

In this GMF podcast, speaking from the Stockholm China Forum, Transatlantic Fellow Sarah Raine discusses EU-China relations with Wang Yiwei, Distinguished Professor at Tongji University where he serves as Executive Dean of the Institute of International and Public Affairs and Director of the China-EU Academic Network (CEAN). They cover trade and economic relations, the potential role of China in the Eurozone crisis, and the significance of relations between China and Germany.

In this GMF podcast recorded at Stockholm China Forum, GMF Transatlantic Fellow Sarah Raine talks with Stein D. Tønnesson, a Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), about rising tensions in the South China Sea and the role and interests of the United States and Europe in the region.

In this GMF podcast recorded at Stockholm China Forum 10, Senior Transatlantic Fellow Bruce Stokes speaks with Volker Stanzel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Japan and former Ambassador to China. They look at the U.S. "pivot to Asia", how this is viewed from Japan, and how impending free trade agreements will change Japanese geography, strategically and economically.

In this GMF podcast recorded at Stockholm China Forum 10, Senior Transatlantic Fellow Bruce Stokes discusses European and American views on China with Steven Everts, a Member of Baroness Catherine Ashton's Cabinet in the European External Action Service. They look at issues of agreement, potential stumbling blocks, and approaches to Syria.

In this GMF Podcast, Middle East expert and former adviser to President Jimmy Carter, Dr. William Quandt, discuses the new dynamics of the Middle East, including Egypt's transition to civilian rule and the recent reconciliation agreement between rival Palestinian parties, Fatah and Hamas. Dr. Quandt also addresses the likelihood that the United States might adjust its foreign aid to Egypt in response to the targeting of U.S. NGO workers in Egypt.

In this GMF podcast, Transatlantic Academy Fellow Stacey VanDeveer interviews Andrew Leach, assistant professor at the University of Alberta, and Steven Mufson, staff writer for the Washington Post, about the debate surrounding the Keystone XL Pipeline. From what was considered more of a “sleeper” issue, the Keystone XL Pipeline evolved into what Mufson describes as something that “has really crystallized the questions about environment, energy security, energy prices, and business decisions.” Leach explains the possible impact of the Keystone Pipeline from an American and Canadian perspective, while both participants give their thoughts on what this debate will mean in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

In this GMF podcast, Thomas Legge, senior program officer with the Climate and Energy Program, speaks with Transatlantic Academy Fellows Corey Johnson and Tim Boersma following recent shale gas site visits to Poland and the United States. They discuss the technological advancements in the sector over the last ten years, the differing developments in North America and Europe, and the political effects of the progress.

In this GMF podcast, Director of Communications Will Bohlen interviews Vice President of Programs Ivan Vejvoda about Croatia’s recent vote to become a member of the European Union. Vejvoda outlines Croatia’s motivations to join the EU despite the current economic crisis, and discusses the short- and long-term implications of Croatia’s membership for the remaining Balkan countries.

In this GMF podcast, Transatlantic Academy Fellow Geoffrey Kemp speaks with Program Officer Nicholas Siegel about rising tensions between the West and Iran due to the recent assassination of a nuclear scientist and encounters between Iranian and U.S. naval ships. He also outlines the influence of the 2012 U.S. presidential elections and recent calls from candidates for tougher action against Iran.

In this GMF podcast, Senior Fellow Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff and GMF’s Vice President of Programs Ivan Vejvoda discuss the most pressing issues facing Europe in the coming year. Both outline key points to follow across the European landscape, including the upcoming French election, next steps for dealing with the Eurocrisis, the impact of the Arab Spring, and democracy promotion across wider Europe.

In part II of this podcast on the Durban Climate Change conference, GMF's Thomas Legge speaks with Nigel Purvis, climate and energy senior fellow and president of Climate Advisers based in Washington DC, about the relationship between the United States and Europe, and how the dynamics between countries have changed since Copenhagen.

In part I of this podcast, Thomas Legge, Senior Program Officer with GMF's Climate and Energy Program, speaks with Nigel Purvis, Climate and Energy Senior Fellow and President of Climate Advisers based in Washington DC, about the outcomes of the 17th Climate Change Conference recently concluded in Durban, and what effect, if any, the outcomes will have on U.S. domestic policies in this area.

Following the launch of the 2011 Transatlantic Trends: Immigration Survey, Immigration and Integration Program Officer Hamutal Bernstein interviews Jason DeParle, The New York Times, and Susan Martin, Georgetown University, about highlights from the survey, including respondents perceptions of governments versus immigrants, birthright citizenship, and the larger implications for the transatlantic relationship.

In this GMF podcast, Senior Transatlantic Fellow Bruce Stokes and Hiddo Houben, minister counselor for trade at the EU Delegation in Washington, outline the major issues addressed at last week’s U.S.-EU Summit, including key barriers and next steps to improving the transatlantic economic relationship, as well as the role of a newly created task force.

In this GMF podcast, former Urban and Regional Policy Fellow Milos Kovacevic speaks with Program Assistant Casey Kuklick to explain how he was able to use experiences from his fellowship, including travel to Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, to build a successful new business center in Belgrade.

In this GMF podcast, Senior Transatlantic Academy Fellow Geoffrey Kemp discusses a recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the concerns it raises about Iran’s nuclear program. He also addresses future implications of the report, including new sanctions and possible next steps for Europe and the United States.

In this GMF podcast, Senior Transatlantic Fellow Kati Souminen explains the results of the most recent G20 summit. She also discusses the possible expansion of funding for the IMF and how the financial crisis has impacted competition between the West and the world’s emerging economies.

In this podcast recorded at India Forum IV in Stockholm, November 11-12, GMF Senior Fellow Bruce Stokes speaks to Kapil Sharma, Senior General Manager at Tata Sons, about the global competition for talent and whether or not the United States is doing enough to attract and keep highly-skilled immigrants.

In this podcast, GMF Senior Program Officer Thomas Legge speaks with Vicki Arroyo, Executive Director of Georgetown University's Climate Center, about regional climate change initiatives in the United States, and how the rise of climate scepticism affects state and national progress in this area.

In this podcast, GMF senior fellow John Richardson speaks with Ms Naheed Farid, member of the Afghan parliament, about the changing role of women in the country, the future of Afghanistan's security, her hopes and fears for the 2014 elections, and the importance of continuing Western engagement.

In this GMF podcast, Senior Transatlantic Fellow Hassan Mneimneh discusses the outcome of the first successful election of the Arab Spring in Tunisia, and what this election means for the region and movement as a whole. He also outlines how Central and Eastern Europe may be able to offer lessons learned from their similar uprisings decades ago.

In this GMF Podcast, Tanzania Horticultural Association Executive Director Jacqueline Mkindi explains how the organization is using public and private partnerships to improve food security and agriculture production in Tanzania.

In this GMF podcast, Mayor Otis Johnson of Savannah, GA discusses the “Thrive” program, which aims to reduce the city’s carbon footprint by 15 percent by the year 2020. Mayor Johnson outlines the steps the city has taken since the program began in 2008 and what lessons American cities can learn from successful European sustainable development.

In this GMF podcast, Mayor Knox White of Greenville, SC discusses the “Greening of Greenville” project, which focuses on making the city more livable and sustainable. He outlines the program's major projects including expanding park systems, retrofitting downtown office building, an electric vehicle program, and an LED lighting system.

In this GMF podcast, Brussels’ Program Officer Bruno Lété speaks with Koert Debeuf, representative of the European Parliament’s Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group in Cairo, about the recent visit of Prime Minister Erdogan and the role of the EU and United States in the region.

In this GMF podcast, Mayor of Rochester Hills Bryan Barnett discusses how the city is implementing new, environmentally sustainable practices in Michigan based on his experience during a study tour to industrial cities in Europe and collaboration between regional partners.

In this GMF podcast, Latvian Finance Minister Andris Vilks explains to GMF Senior Fellow Bruce Stokes how Latvia overcame the economic crisis even as most European countries continue to struggle. The Minister discusses strategies for other countries based on Latvia’s success and the impact of EU membership on Latvia.

In this podcast, GMF Senior Transatlantic Fellow Jim Kolbe and Hans-Jürgen Beerfeltz, the State Secretary for the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, discuss the recent German aid reforms. With 19,000 staff under a single entity and strategy, Germany now has the world’s largest bilateral agency. Secretary Beerfeltz discusses the factors that led to this consolidation and how will it result in more effective aid. He also explains the shift toward more bilateral development assistance in Germany. .

In this GMF Podcast, Former Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) discusses the long term implications of the deterioration of Turkish-Israeli relationship with GMF Fellow Joshua W. Walker.

In this GMF podcast, senior fellow for economics Bruce Stokes speaks with Jamie Shea of NATO about the recent Transatlantic Trends 2011 survey results that show continued support for NATO on both sides of the Atlantic. They also discuss European and American attitidues to security, to the stabilization of Afghanistan, and to government spending on defense.

In this podcast, Transatlantic Trends Director Zsolt Nyiri outlines some of the key findings from the 2011 Transatlantic Trends survey with Senior Fellow Bruce Stokes. They discuss EU opinions on Obama and his international policies; shifting dynamics between the EU, United States, and Asia; a first-ever finding on U.S. views toward the war in Afghanistan; and transatlantic opinions on NATO and Turkey, among others.