Kaffeepause: What's Abuzz in Berlin?
Join the American Council on Germany for its “Kaffeepause: What’s Abuzz in Berlin?” a regular podcast that takes stock of current events in Germany. Each week, we are joined by a journalist based in Germany to talk about the stories behind the headlines.
Episodes
October 26, 2026 • 45 mins
On this week's Special Edition of Kaffeepause, we head to Washington D.C., where Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Gregor Schwung, U.S. Correspondent for Die Welt.
Gregor Schwung is the U.S. correspondent for WELT. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics in Heidelberg before moving to Berlin to pursue a master’s degree in North American Studies. From 2017 to 2020, he produced the...
Gregor Schwung is the U.S. correspondent for WELT. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics in Heidelberg before moving to Berlin to pursue a master’s degree in North American Studies. From 2017 to 2020, he produced the...
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October 5, 2026 • 34 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Jim Tankersley, Berlin Bureau Chief for The New York Times.
Jim Tankers oversees the coverage of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and writes about broader trends across Europe. That includes stories about foreign policy, society, politics, migration, energy, and more. Previously, he covered economic and tax policy for the Times. In more than a decade coverin...
Jim Tankers oversees the coverage of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and writes about broader trends across Europe. That includes stories about foreign policy, society, politics, migration, energy, and more. Previously, he covered economic and tax policy for the Times. In more than a decade coverin...
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September 21, 2026 • 53 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Vladimir Balzer, Moderator at Deutschlandradio.
Vladimir Balzer is an award-winning radio journalist and moderator at Deutschlandradio. He grew up in Leipzig and studied in Dublin, Venice, and Leipzig. He began his career as a presenter, reporter, and editor at Deutschlandradio and MDR. Mr. Balzer hosts, among other programs, the daily program “Fazit &nd...
Vladimir Balzer is an award-winning radio journalist and moderator at Deutschlandradio. He grew up in Leipzig and studied in Dublin, Venice, and Leipzig. He began his career as a presenter, reporter, and editor at Deutschlandradio and MDR. Mr. Balzer hosts, among other programs, the daily program “Fazit &nd...
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September 14, 2026 • 48 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Marc Felix Serrao, Global Reporter for Axel Springer.
Marc Felix Serrao is a correspondent with the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, which includes POLITICO. Based in Berlin, he focuses on German politics and the pressures reshaping liberal democracy in Europe. Marc previously worked at Süddeutsche Zeitung (2007–2016) and served as business e...
Marc Felix Serrao is a correspondent with the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, which includes POLITICO. Based in Berlin, he focuses on German politics and the pressures reshaping liberal democracy in Europe. Marc previously worked at Süddeutsche Zeitung (2007–2016) and served as business e...
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September 8, 2026 • 33 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Luise Evers, Geopolitical Journalist for the Berliner Zeitung and Ostdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung.
Luise Evers covers geopolitics for the Berliner Zeitung and the Ostdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung. Her reporting focuses on international security, the Middle East, and technology. She studied Communication in Berlin and earned her ...
Luise Evers covers geopolitics for the Berliner Zeitung and the Ostdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung. Her reporting focuses on international security, the Middle East, and technology. She studied Communication in Berlin and earned her ...
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August 31, 2026 • 59 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Dr. Christoph von Marschall.
Dr. Christoph von Marschall is the Chief Diplomatic Correspondent of Der Tagesspiegel, the leading daily in Berlin, and a frequent guest on television shows as an expert on Central and Eastern Europe, the United States, transatlantic relations, and Great Power Competition. Since 1991, he has worked for Der Tagesspiegel, ...
Dr. Christoph von Marschall is the Chief Diplomatic Correspondent of Der Tagesspiegel, the leading daily in Berlin, and a frequent guest on television shows as an expert on Central and Eastern Europe, the United States, transatlantic relations, and Great Power Competition. Since 1991, he has worked for Der Tagesspiegel, ...
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July 27, 2026 • 44 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol sits down with Annett Meiritz.
Annett Meiritz is an International Correspondent for Handelsblatt in the Berlin office. Previously, she served as the U.S. Correspondent until October 2025. She has worked as Parliamentary Correspondent for Germany’s leading news portal Spiegel Online, based in Berlin. She holds a B.A. degree in Modern History and M...
Annett Meiritz is an International Correspondent for Handelsblatt in the Berlin office. Previously, she served as the U.S. Correspondent until October 2025. She has worked as Parliamentary Correspondent for Germany’s leading news portal Spiegel Online, based in Berlin. She holds a B.A. degree in Modern History and M...
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July 6, 2026 • 42 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Deutschlandradio Journalist Nadine Lindner.
Nadine Lindner has been a Correspondent in the Berlin studio of “Deutschlandradio” since early 2016. Among other things, Ms. Lindner is responsible for the news coverage of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the German parliament. Ms. Lindner studied Political Science at Leipzig University in Saxo...
Nadine Lindner has been a Correspondent in the Berlin studio of “Deutschlandradio” since early 2016. Among other things, Ms. Lindner is responsible for the news coverage of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the German parliament. Ms. Lindner studied Political Science at Leipzig University in Saxo...
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June 22, 2026 • 50 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Vladimir Balzer, Moderator at Deutschlandradio.
Vladimir Balzer is an award-winning journalist who grew up in Leipzig and studied in Dublin, Venice, and Leipzig. He began his career as a presenter, reporter, and editor at Deutschlandradio and MDR. Mr. Balzer hosts, among other programs, the daily program “Fazit – Kultur vom Tage” on Deutschla...
Vladimir Balzer is an award-winning journalist who grew up in Leipzig and studied in Dublin, Venice, and Leipzig. He began his career as a presenter, reporter, and editor at Deutschlandradio and MDR. Mr. Balzer hosts, among other programs, the daily program “Fazit – Kultur vom Tage” on Deutschla...
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June 8, 2026 • 52 mins
On this week's 100th Episode of the Kaffeepause podcast, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Brent Goff, Chief Anchor at DW News.
Brent Goff is the Chief Anchor at DW News and Host of “The Day with Brent Goff.” He joined DW in 2000 and has become one of the most recognized on-air personalities. Prior to joining DW, Brent worked as a producer for CNN. He was both a Fulbright Scholar and a Robert Bosch Found...
Brent Goff is the Chief Anchor at DW News and Host of “The Day with Brent Goff.” He joined DW in 2000 and has become one of the most recognized on-air personalities. Prior to joining DW, Brent worked as a producer for CNN. He was both a Fulbright Scholar and a Robert Bosch Found...
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June 1, 2026 • 53 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Paul-Anton Krüger, Editor at SPIEGEL’s capital city office.
Mr. Krüger was the Parliamentary Correspondent in the Berlin Bureau of the Süddeutsche Zeitung from September 2021 to December 2024. He previously reported on political affairs and served as Deputy Head of the Foreign Policy Department, focusing on the Middle East and international security for ...
Mr. Krüger was the Parliamentary Correspondent in the Berlin Bureau of the Süddeutsche Zeitung from September 2021 to December 2024. He previously reported on political affairs and served as Deputy Head of the Foreign Policy Department, focusing on the Middle East and international security for ...
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May 18, 2026 • 47 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Jim Tankersley, Berlin Bureau Chief of The New York Times.
Mr.Tankersley oversees the coverage of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and writes about broader trends across Europe. That includes stories about foreign policy, society, politics, migration, energy, and more. Previously, he covered economic and tax policy for the Times. In more than a decade cover...
Mr.Tankersley oversees the coverage of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and writes about broader trends across Europe. That includes stories about foreign policy, society, politics, migration, energy, and more. Previously, he covered economic and tax policy for the Times. In more than a decade cover...
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On this Special Edition of the Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by journalists Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger and Anja Wehler-Schöck.
Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger was the Foreign Editor of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. His writings deal especially with the United States, European, transatlantic, and international politics. He holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science, Economics, and American...
Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger was the Foreign Editor of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. His writings deal especially with the United States, European, transatlantic, and international politics. He holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science, Economics, and American...
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April 27, 2026 • 34 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Dr. Melanie Amann, Member of the Editorial Team, DER SPIEGEL.
Dr. Melanie Amann studied Law in Trier, Aix-en-Provence, and Berlin, and received her doctorate from the LMU Munich. From 2003 to 2004, she spent a year at the German School of Journalism in Munich. After working as an editor at the Financial Times Deutschland, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, and the...
Dr. Melanie Amann studied Law in Trier, Aix-en-Provence, and Berlin, and received her doctorate from the LMU Munich. From 2003 to 2004, she spent a year at the German School of Journalism in Munich. After working as an editor at the Financial Times Deutschland, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, and the...
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April 20, 2026 • 44 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Marc Felix Serrao, Global Report for Axel Springer.
Marc Felix Serrao joined Axel Springer as a Global Reporter in January 2026. Prior to that, he was the Editor-in-Chief Head for the Neue Züricher Zeitung from 2021 until 2025 and Head of the Berlin office from July 2017 until January 2021. After military service, he studied political science in Berlin. ...
Marc Felix Serrao joined Axel Springer as a Global Reporter in January 2026. Prior to that, he was the Editor-in-Chief Head for the Neue Züricher Zeitung from 2021 until 2025 and Head of the Berlin office from July 2017 until January 2021. After military service, he studied political science in Berlin. ...
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March 9, 2026 • 43 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Dr. Anna Sauerbrey, Foreign Editor at Die Zeit.
Dr. Anna Sauerbrey is the Foreign Editor at the German largest weekly newspaper, Die Zeit. Before assuming this position, she was Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Der Tagesspiegel, a daily newspaper based in Berlin. She has written about German politics in The New York Times and comments on Germ...
Dr. Anna Sauerbrey is the Foreign Editor at the German largest weekly newspaper, Die Zeit. Before assuming this position, she was Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Der Tagesspiegel, a daily newspaper based in Berlin. She has written about German politics in The New York Times and comments on Germ...
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March 2, 2026 • 38 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Aaron Wiener, Berlin Bureau Chief for the Washington Post.
Aaron Wiener is The Washington Post's Berlin Bureau Chief, covering Germany, Austria, Poland, and Hungary, as well as broader news out of Europe. He was previously a Housing Reporter and the editor of Retropolis, The Post's history section. Earlier, he was a Senior Editor at Mother Jones, a reporter at Wash...
Aaron Wiener is The Washington Post's Berlin Bureau Chief, covering Germany, Austria, Poland, and Hungary, as well as broader news out of Europe. He was previously a Housing Reporter and the editor of Retropolis, The Post's history section. Earlier, he was a Senior Editor at Mother Jones, a reporter at Wash...
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February 23, 2026 • 44 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Malte Lehming, Columnist for Tagesspiegel.
From late 2000 to 2005, he was the newspaper’s Washington Bureau Chief. He joined the Tagesspiegel in 1991 as foreign policy editor — focusing on security policy, transatlantic relations, and the Middle East. From 1989 to 1991, he worked as a personal assistant and speechwriter for former German Chancello...
From late 2000 to 2005, he was the newspaper’s Washington Bureau Chief. He joined the Tagesspiegel in 1991 as foreign policy editor — focusing on security policy, transatlantic relations, and the Middle East. From 1989 to 1991, he worked as a personal assistant and speechwriter for former German Chancello...
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February 17, 2026 • 44 mins
On this week's Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Daniel Brössler, Senior Editor at the Süddeutsche Zeitung’s Berlin Bureau.
Daniel Brössler covers the Chancellery and the Foreign Office. Mr. Brössler studied journalism in Munich and Washington and is a graduate of the German School of Journalism. In 1993, he reported for the German Press Agency from Bratislava. In 1996, he took over as head of the dpa offic...
Daniel Brössler covers the Chancellery and the Foreign Office. Mr. Brössler studied journalism in Munich and Washington and is a graduate of the German School of Journalism. In 1993, he reported for the German Press Agency from Bratislava. In 1996, he took over as head of the dpa offic...
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February 10, 2026 • 47 mins
On this Special Edition of the Kaffeepause, Dr. Steven E. Sokol is joined by Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent in Europe for The New York Times. He is based in Berlin.
In over 40 years of career as a journalist, he has covered news in over 120 countries, from the war in Kosovo to Brexit. In 2002, Mr. Erlanger shared the Pulitzer Prize for reporting on his work on Al Qaeda and again received the prize in 2017 fo...
In over 40 years of career as a journalist, he has covered news in over 120 countries, from the war in Kosovo to Brexit. In 2002, Mr. Erlanger shared the Pulitzer Prize for reporting on his work on Al Qaeda and again received the prize in 2017 fo...
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