Toward a New German Foreign Policy

On September 26, 2021, Germany will elect a new parliament. Angela Merkel, chancellor for the past 16 years, will leave office once a new government is formed. The post-Merkel era will require a resetting of Germany's European and foreign policy, which will need to adapt to new realities. On this page, INTERNATIONALE POLITIK QUARTERLY hosts an international debate on Germany's future course in foreign affairs.

Germany's Acid Test: Systemic Competition

Merkel’s successor needs to be more ambitious in strengthening the German model, in order to be able to compete against autocracies like China.

Author/s
Thorsten Benner
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date

A Plea to Restart the Weimar Triangle

The Weimar Triangle should become a new driver of reform and deeper integration within the EU. Despite the recent developments in Poland, Germany, and France should not give up on it, but rather enhance the trilateral dialogue.

Author/s
Renata Alt
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date

The Engine Room: Rebooting Germany’s Foreign Policy Architecture

Berlin needs to improve its decision-making processes, and that means repairing its creaky foreign policy set-up—a contribution to the debate about a German National Security Council.

Author/s
Philipp Rotmann
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date

Time for Straight Talking on German Security

Germany needs to shape its own security context and that starts with its politicians speaking honestly with the public about risks and threats, and taking clear foreign policy stances. 

Author/s
Patrick Keller
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date

Advancing Europe: Green for Danger?

In France, the prospect of the Greens entering the German government this fall raises both hopes and fears.

Author/s
Paul Maurice
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date

New Defense Realities

At the close of the Merkel era Germany’s armed forces face a wide array of challenges most political parties have not even started to acknowledge, never mind address.

Author/s
Christian Mölling
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date

Advancing Europe: Forging a New British-German Relationship

2021 marks the end of both the Brexit process and the Merkel era, as well as the likelihood of the Greens entering the German government. How will these changes impact bilateral relations with London?

Author/s
Alice Billon-Galland
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date

“Germany, We Need to Talk”

Debate about what can and should be done in German foreign and security policy will only find real resonance if it can make Germans understand that this is about their immediate and very personal future.

Author/s
Thomas Bagger
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date

Future Focus: Any Foreign Policy Must Include Climate Policy

Germany has the potential to be a global climate pioneer. To do so, it must have the courage to consistently weave climate and environmental issues into its foreign policy.

Author/s
Ronja Scheler
Christin Knüpfer
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date

The Engine Room: Germany, the Unwilling Coalition Partner

On various occasions in the past, Berlin has offered political support for international military missions only, citing the German constitution to rule out its own participation. This policy has run its course.

Author/s
Jana Puglierin
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date

Stepping Into the 21st Century

To adapt its foreign policy to new challenges, Germany must overcome certain taboos inherited from its history.

Author/s
Thierry de Montbrial
IPQ
Toward a New German Foreign Policy
Creation date