German policy on Europe is changing fundamentally. The worse the global crises become, the more Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing for quick decisions—if necessary, even against Germany's closest partner, France, and in smaller formats.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sparked some changes in German foreign and security policy. But on scores of issues that are in many cases fundamental, Berlin is finding it hard to abandon old certainties: five examples.

The bitter debate about Germany’s policy mistakes toward Russia has been misguided and inadequate. Nine points for a much-needed adjustment.

History weighed on Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his SPD party when it came to dealing with Vladimir Putin’s Russia. But over a couple of weeks, Germany’s Social Democrats have changed their approach quite substantially.