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Germany, the “Zeitenwende” and the Future of NATO

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Visions franco-allemandes
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Visions franco-allemandes, No. 33, August 2022
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NATO has adopted a new strategic concept, which should provide guidance for the next ten years. But the Russian aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has changed everything.
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Brussels Belgium. March 3, 2022. Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor, at the press conference after NATO's extraordinary Summit 2022.
Brussels Belgium. March 3, 2022. Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor, at the press conference after NATO's extraordinary Summit 2022.
Gints Ivuskans/Shutterstock
Corps analyses
Chancellor Scholz speaks of a new era. Is the strategic concept up to the challenges that arise? China's ambitions are defined for the first time as a threat to our security. But aren't they first and foremost for the United States? The scope of Alliance missions continues to expand. Is there a risk of being overloaded? Does enhanced cooperation with the European Union provide a solution? Its “Strategic Compass” defines broad ambitions. NATO and EU strategic documents provide limited answers. Germany's security policy is changing radically. Expectations for Berlin to take on a pivotal role in Europe are high. Is the country ready for this? This is by no means certain.

 

Detlef Puhl worked until 2016 as "Senior Advisor for Strategic Communication" for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges Division (ESCD). From 2011 to 2016, he was in charge of the strategic communication of this new division of the Atlantic Alliance Headquarters in Brussels.

 

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The Pariser Platz (Paris Square) on the east side of the Brandenburg Gate at Berlin, Germany
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
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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.

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France-Germany: Overcoming Differences to Strengthen European Sovereignty

Date de publication
15 July 2026
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The Franco-German “reset” launched with Friedrich Merz’s appointment as Chancellor in May 2025 and given concrete form at the Franco-German Council of Ministers (FGCM) in Toulon in August 2025 was intended to address the structural challenges affecting the bilateral relationship. Yet it is clear that these ambitions have only been partially translated into concrete action. Since the beginning of 2026, Franco-German relations have entered a phase in which short-term challenges have combined with deeper divergences over priorities, policy approaches, and strategic culture.

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Under construction: Europe’s economic repositioning in a fragmented international order

Date de publication
03 June 2026
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„Under Destruction“– this was this year’s motto at the Munich Security Conference. A motto that applies both to security and economy in an increasingly fragile international system. In 2024, Mario Draghi’s report on the EU’s competitiveness rang the alarm bell:  Europe is slipping behind the US and China, European companies struggle with Brussels' bureaucracy, and the internal market is too fragmented. However, two years later only about 15 % of his recommendations were implemented: the wake-up call was not heard.

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Germany in the Shadow of the United States, Russia, and China – Systemic Paradigm Shifts

Date de publication
30 June 2026
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Since reunification, Germany has built its prosperity on an international order based on free trade, multilateralism, and geopolitical stability. This model relied on three relationships considered complementary: U.S. military protection, Russian energy supplies, and economic integration with China. For several decades, Berlin viewed these interdependencies as factors contributing to peace, growth, and security.

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France and EU Enlargement: From Strategic Hesitation to a Geopolitical Shift

Date de publication
11 June 2026
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Paris has come a long way in its approach to enlarging the European Union. However, French support remains fragile, due in part to a lack of public support.

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Brussels Belgium. March 3, 2022. Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor, at the press conference after NATO's extraordinary Summit 2022.
Gints Ivuskans/Shutterstock

How can this study be cited?

Detlef PUHL, « Germany, the “Zeitenwende” and the Future of NATO », Papers, Visions franco-allemandes, Ifri, 31 August 2022.
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