DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics Can Europe and MAGA coexist? | Live from MSC 2026
Feb 14, 2026
Ian Bremmer, geopolitical risk analyst who founded Eurasia Group, and Jens Spahn, senior CDU/CSU leader and former federal minister. They debate transatlantic trust and whether US actions can be repaired. They discuss Europe’s leverage over China and Russia, Germany’s domestic reforms to fund security, and the realities of a more multipolar world.
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Opportunity To Reboot Transatlantic Ties
- Jens Spahn says the Rubio and Scholz speeches open a chance to reboot the transatlantic relationship by focusing on work, not rhetoric.
- He urges setting aside noise and cooperating on shared goals like UN reform and practical partnership.
Afghanistan Memory Shapes German Limits
- Jens Spahn recalls German sacrifices: 60 soldiers died in Afghanistan and Article 5 was invoked by the US for the first time in that mission.
- He says that rhetorical attacks like Davos comments about allies are unacceptable and hurt trust.
Europe Has Strengthened Its NATO Pillar
- Spahn argues Germany has already strengthened the European NATO pillar via higher defence spending and reinstating military service.
- He warns ambition must be matched by capability across Europe for air, space and deterrence needs.