Germany and the United States: Two countries, two directions

Germany and the USA have had a very close relationship over the past 50 years, due to their mutual interests in defense against the Soviet Union and that country's allies. Today, due to the end of the Cold War, that threat is gone and the need for the US commitment to defend Germany no longer exists. In addition, German society and economy are both going in very different directions from the USA, with important demographic changes leading to very different economic futures for both countries. This article explores the social, political and economic consequences and ramifications of these changes in the relationship between the USA and Germany.