Between crisis and responsibility: a first assessment of the new German defense policy
Since the speeches delivered by President Joachim Gauck, Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen at the 2014 Munich Security Conference, Germany has seen a debate on new responsibilities in its foreign and security policy.
This new ambition, changes in the international environment, and national challenges have combined to shape German policy ever since. Two years after the new government took office and formulated its ambitions, the time has come for an evaluation: In what respect and how has German defense policy changed?
Although much progress has been made, it is difficult to distinguish a homogeneous new policy. It appears that the evolution of defense policy is being driven to a large extent by both internal and external crises. A new “policy of responsibility” is mostly visible when it concerns matters where events or partners put pressure on German politics: operations and defense cooperation, Ukraine, ISIS, or the necessity to save on materiel.
At the same time, the debate on German responsibility has enabled the pressure on German security policy, resulting from the recent crises, to be channeled in the right direction: toward a greater German contribution to international security. The challenge now consists of merging the notion of “responsibility” and the crisis-driven pressure in a way that leads to the development of a new and coherent German defense policy. Defining what exactly assuming responsibility means, along with the necessary political, military and financial changes, will clarify the work that Berlin must still complete. It will also help to clarify the role lying ahead for Germany’s partners in security policy, who are hoping for even greater German engagement.
This paper is published in French – Entre la crise et la responsabilité : un premier bilan de la nouvelle politique de défense allemande
This paper is also published in German – Zwischen Krisen und Verantwortung: Eine erste Bilanz der neuen deutschen Verteidigungspolitik
Claudia Major is Senior associate of the Research Division “International security policy” at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik).
Christian Mölling is Senior Resident Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik).
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
Franco-German Relations Through the Lens of Donald Trump’s Second Term: Between Strategic Realignments, European Sovereignty, and the Enduring Transatlantic Bond
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency of the United States in 2025 acts as a powerful catalyst for the Franco-German relationship. Faced with growing uncertainty over the reliability of US security guarantees, Germany, more directly affected by the questioning of the transatlantic relationship, is gradually moving closer to the French position in favor of strengthening European strategic sovereignty.
MAGA and AfD: Toward a Transatlantic Alliance of Nationalist Right-Wing Parties
The rapprochement between Donald Trump’s MAGA movement and Germany’s AfD has accelerated significantly since Trump’s return to the White House.
VW, Mercedes, and BMW in the Face of Donald Trump—A Tightrope Walk Between Investing in the U.S., Maintaining Operations in Europe, and Catching Up in Electric Mobility
The German automotive industry faces a threefold challenge: competition from China; a difficult transition to electric vehicles; and US tariffs.
A Partnership Built on Security: Post-Brexit Rapprochement between Germany and the United Kingdom
Since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK-German relations have undergone a remarkable transformation: from Berlin’s deliberate distancing from London during the Brexit negotiations, when Germany consistently prioritised EU-27 unity over bilateral arrangements, to a gradual rapprochement, culminating, for the time being, in the 2025 Kensington Treaty of Friendship.