Das erwachsene Land

Book Presentation & Conversation with Holger Stark, DIE ZEIT | As part of the event series "American Rodeo"

Germany, Home Alone? The Federal Republic must grow out of its infancy as quickly as possible, says Holger Stark. In his non-fiction book Das erwachsene Land (The Adult Country), the deputy editor-in-chief of Die Zeit dissects what is perhaps the most serious challenge of our time: what will happen when the US no longer provides a security umbrella over the whole of Europe? Stark describes a country that, after decades of geopolitical comfort, is abruptly waking up to the reality of a much tougher world. With a sharp eye, impressive scenes from Berlin, Brussels, and Washington, and the insider knowledge of a reporter who knows the centers of power like the back of his hand, he shows that the old security policy is finally history. Now it remains to be seen whether Germany will grow into its responsibility—or remain stuck in a geopolitical vacuum. Holger Stark has received numerous awards and is one of the most prominent political reporters in Germany. He exposed the NSA affair, observed Trump’s rise up close, and has been analyzing the fault lines of the Western world for decades. An evening for everyone who wants to know why there are no more excuses for us now!