Capital, Capacity, and Capability: Building a Transatlantic Defense Economy

Russia’s war in Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped Europe’s security environment and placed renewed attention on Germany’s role as a leading power within NATO and the European Union. With its landmark commitment to dramatically increase defense spending, Germany has signaled a new willingness to invest in military capabilities and assume greater responsibility within NATO and the transatlantic alliance. As part of this Verteidigungswende, Berlin has pledged to assume greater responsibility for Europe’s security. Yet questions remain about whether Germany can translate political promises into sustained investments, industrial capacity, and operational readiness.

Join the American Council on Germany and the German American Chamber of Commerce New York for a Transatlantic Business Symposium, which will examine what Germany’s evolving defense posture means for transatlantic relations at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and shifting expectations in Washington and European capitals alike.

Following an economic outlook, expert panels will explore how Germany and its partners can finance Europe’s rearmament, strengthen defense-industrial production, and accelerate innovation through dual-use and emerging technologies. Discussions will focus on defense investment strategies, procurement reform, and public–private cooperation, as well as the broader implications for burden-shifting within the alliance. Confirmed speakers include: Wendy R. Anderson, National Security and Technology Executive (former Senior Vice President at Palantir Technologies); Brigadier General Gunnar C. Bruegner, Defense Attaché at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany; James Currier, President and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace Technologies; Francis Kelly, Founder and Managing Partner of Fulcrum Macro Advisors LLC and Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Faysal Rahman, Defense, Security and Resilience Bank; Brett Ryan, Senior Economist, Deutsche Bank; and others.

By bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and security experts, the symposium aims to assess whether Germany can deliver on its commitments – and what success or failure would mean for the future of transatlantic security.

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Host or Publisher American Council on Germany