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The Powell Visit

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U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is coming to Berlin on Friday to meet with Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, the first meeting between German and American officials in Berlin since the end of the war.

The visit is being heralded as a "bridge-building" opportunity by transatlantic analysts who employed a host of similar metaphors over the past year in describing the deterioration of the once-solid German-American relationship.

Schröder's sound opposition to the Bush administration's intention to invade Iraq reportedly angered American officials, including President Bush. Since the end of the war, steps have been taken on both sides to move closer. Some are saying the Powell-Schröder meeting could lay the groundwork for a Bush-Schröder meeting in the near future.

Below, a collection of DW-WORLD stories, interviews and background notes on the transatlantic divide.

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Reports & Analysis

Powell to Germany: "We Will Stand Together"

Colin Powell and Chancellor Gerhard Schröder held "deep" and "candid" talks that lasted a half-hour in Berlin on Friday morning. The two said they put the differences between their two countries behind them.

Schröder Reaffirms Strong Ties to the United States

German Chancellor Schröder continued his efforts to smooth over U.S.-German ties Friday, stressing the “vital friendship” between the two countries one week before U.S. Secretary of State Powell visits Berlin.

NATO Summit: Air Kisses, But Little Love Between Bush, Schröder

A pre-summit, informal handshake was as far as niceties went between Gerhard Schröder and George W.Bush, a sign that all is not well in U.S.-German relations despite reassurances to the contrary.

How to Repair a "Badly Bruised" Relationship

With a heated, anti-American campaign behind him, Chancellor Schröder is eager to smooth things out with Washington. Transatlantic experts say he has his work cut out for him.

Germany Pledges Help to U.S. in Security Council

Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and his foreign minister told Colin Powell that Germany will work with the U.S. to reach a compromise on a controversial postwar Iraq resolution before the U.N. Security Council.

Boycott of Europe Loses Steam

So far, the feared American boycott of German and French products has failed to materialize. But an increasing number of Europeans are shunning Coke, Jack Daniels and other symbols of the U.S.

End of Ice Age in German-U.S. Relations

In the last months, relations between Washington and Berlin cooled off dramatically following differing opinions on a war on Iraq. A visit on Friday between the countries’ defense leaders seems to have broken the ice.

"Germany Put Its Foreign Policy in the Hands of the French"

A former Clinton official says Germany made a bad move by aligning with France against the war in Iraq, thus undoing 50 years of successful policy. He also offers a road map to reconciliation.

Anti-American or Anti-Bush?

Strained relations between the United States and Germany have some saying anti-Americanism is rising. But among young Germans there's a difference between opposing the Bush administration and being anti-American.

Iraq Rift Launches New Era in German Foreign Policy

The strong fabric binding Berlin and Washington is fraying as German foreign policy undergoes a rapid transformation. DW-WORLD talks to analysts about where it's headed next.

Powell Fails To Change German Opposition On Iraq

As Germany renewed its opposition to war against Iraq after Powell's speech, U.S. Defense Secretary, Rumsfeld directed a new dart at it, saying Germany, Libya and Cuba are the only countries not helping American efforts.

Reactions: How Important is Colin Powell's Visit?

Transatlantic experts on both sides of the pond offer their take on what will be discussed during the Powell-Schröder meeting on Friday and reflect on U.S.-German relations and the long road ahead.

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