Publications /
Policy Paper

Back
Zeitenwende: Germany’s Strategic Shift in Foreign and Security Policy
Authors
Bilal Mahli
September 13, 2024

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ‘Zeitenwende’ in February 2022 marked a significant shift in German foreign and security policy in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This paper analyzes Germany’s new strategic direction, including increased defense spending, reduced energy dependence on Russia, and strengthened NATO and EU alliances.

It examines the domestic political debates surrounding these changes and their implications for European security dynamics. The study also explores the impact on Germany’s relationships with key partners including France, the United States, and countries of the Global South.

Finally, it offers recommendations for a more coherent, decisive, and strategic German foreign policy.

 

 

RELATED CONTENT

  • Authors
    Pascal Chaigneau
    Eugène Berg
    Rodolphe Monnet
    Jacques Gravereau
    Jérémy Ghez
    Olivier Tramond
    Niagalé Bagayoko
    Alain Oudot de Dainville
    Jérôme Evrard
    Coordination de l’ouvrage: Imane Lahrich
    Fatine Cherkaoui
    October 28, 2021
    Depuis l’accession au trône du Roi Mohammed VI, l’Afrique s’est transformée en priorité de la diplomatie marocaine. Sur le plan économique, l’Afrique est devenue le prolongement naturel du Maroc en termes d’investissements et d’implantations. Pascal Chaigneau s’attarde sur les relations affaiblies Europe-Afrique, l’ambitieuse relation Chine-Afrique ainsi que les relations entre la Russie, les Etats-Unis, la Turquie ou encore les pays du Golf et l’Afrique. Ce chapitre traite égalemen ...
  • April 02, 2021
    In a world where conventional threats to public safety and international security are increasingly a back seat, the Covid-19 pandemic has opened a new chapter in the discussion on how to ...
  • Authors
    April 9, 2020
    Our Senior Fellow, Len Ishmael has contributed to the Quarterly Journal by Beyond the Horizon ISSG (Volume 3 Issue 1), under the theme « Influencing and Promoting Global Peace and Security Horizon Insights », with a Policy Paper where she addresses China’s use of crises to « deepen and extend power and influence in Europe and the world ». Standing in solidarity with countries in Europe and elsewhere in the fight against COVID-19, China scores a diplomatic coup and extends its claim ...
  • Authors
    Hamza M'Jahed
    March 11, 2020
    West Africa has always played an essential role in African geopolitics. Although less thought of than north, south and east Africa, because of their envied strategic openings into both the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean, West African countries are transforming themselves into a major African hub. For Britain, the completion of Brexit heralds a new era in its contemporary history. In this framework, West Africa is a crucial region for the United Kingdom’s long-term strategic goal ...
  • Authors
    May 3, 2019
    France appears to be relying on force to patch up problems in Africa, and particularly in Libya. None of this is compatible with President Macron’s lofty foreign policy declarations. French President Emmanuel Macron has classified colonisation as a crime against humanity. He is also keen to redefine the relationship with former French colonies. But in practice, there has never been a more ‘let’s go to war’ or ‘va t-en guerre’ attitude, in terms of its hopes for involvement in inter ...
  • Authors
    Sabine Cessou
    September 24, 2018
    La conférence « A Brave New World, Adapting to a changing security landscape », organisée par Friends of Europe, le 20 septembre 2018 à Bruxelles, a consisté en des tables rondes auxquelles ont participé Bouchra Rahmouni Benhida, Senior Research Fellow d'OCP Policy Center et Amal El Ouassif, Research Assistant, notamment sur les plus grands défis de la politique extérieure européenne. « C’était très gratifiant de voir distribuées, aujourd’hui, les conclusions sur la migration d’un b ...
  • Authors
    Sabine Cessou
    September 6, 2018
    Le partenariat Europe-Afrique-Méditerrannée Comment renforcer la relation historique entre l’Europe et l’Afrique, et faire en sorte que le développement des deux continents se fasse en osmose ? C’est la question qu’a posée Gilles Pargneaux, euro-député français issu du mouvement « En marche », dans sa présentation d’une conférence organisée en partenariat avec OCP Policy Center, au Parlement européen, à Bruxelles, le 4 septembre 2018.  Président-fondateur de la Fondation EuroMedA ...
  • Authors
    August 28, 2018
    A NATION CRAVING TO RETURN TO GREATNESS It was yet another turbulent episode reflecting the dark sides of politics and secret service conspiracies. Murder is the message. “Do not mess with us.” The killers wore turbans and spoke Arabic. What else is new? It was dark, not a good time to drive on a hellhole of a road in the Central African Republic, one of the poorest nations of the world. So poor that death has no price. Not many streets are paved and streetlights are as frequent as ...