Aug

2022

Notes de l'Ifri Visions franco-allemandes

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

Credits: Gints Ivuskans/Shutterstock

Detlef PUHL

Germany, the “Zeitenwende” and the Future of NATO Visions franco-allemandes, No. 33, August 2022

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.

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.

This publication is available the following languages (pdf):

FRENCH: "L’Allemagne, le changement d’époque et l’avenir de l‘OTAN".
GERMAN: "Deutschland, die "Zeitenwende" und die Zukunft der Nato".

Keywords

Chinese threat Defense Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) European Union enlargement North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Russian aggression Security Strategic concept War in Ukraine Zeitenwende Europe Germany United States