Obama and Merkel Reunited

With her new book, Freedom: Memoirs 1954–2021, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel is back in the headlines after having left office three years ago. Together with former United States President Barack Obama, she presented her memoir in Washington on Monday at a sold-out venue.

Friendship: The two leaders formed a close political friendship during Obama’s presidency, which overlapped with Merkel’s chancellorship. He made Germany his last foreign visit, and she continued his legacy after he left office.

In large part due to her opposition to Obama’s successor, Donald Trump, the New York Times called her “the liberal West’s last defender.”

The German example: Obama believes that Germany can be an example for America.

If you can be divided literally by a wall for decades and still figure out how to come together and prosper as one identity in one country, then hopefully the, quote unquote, “United States of America” should be able to do this.
—Barack Obama

Love for Germany: After rising from the ashes of World War ii, Germany has transformed its image around the world. Many Americans today view Germany as a major ally despite the fact that it has been one of the strongest critics of a self-asserting America under the leadership of President Trump.

Learn more: Read “America’s Naive Trust in Germany.”