German Foreign Policy and Security Dynamics
Summary
Germany’s foreign policy has long been shaped by its commitment to Western integration, European unity and multilateral institutions. In the Cold War era this manifested in Ostpolitik, a strategy of engagement with Eastern Europe, and in steadfast support for NATO and the European Community. From reunification onwards, economic interdependence and a rules-based international order guided Berlin’s approach, emphasising diplomacy, trade and cautious leadership. Recent crises – notably Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – have prompted a reevaluation of these pillars. The concept of Zeitenwende, introduced in early 2022, signalled a willingness to depart from purely civilian instruments towards greater military investment and active deterrence. This strategic shift has deepened Germany’s commitments to NATO’s eastern flank, intensified defence procurement and stimulated debate over Germany’s role within the EU and transatlantic alliance. At the same time, domestic contestation has emerged around the pace and scope of change, reflecting diverse party positions and public attitudes. Beyond Europe, the balance between economic openness and strategic caution has become central to relations with rising powers such as China. Together, these dynamics illustrate a period of both continuity and transformation, in which long-standing principles of Westbindung and multilateralism are being recalibrated to meet novel security challenges and to uphold Germany’s influence on the global stage.
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German Foreign Policy and Security Dynamics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in german foreign policy and security dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Zeitenwende: A watershed moment marking a fundamental shift in Germany’s security and foreign-policy orientation, notably towards increased military engagement.
Ostpolitik: The policy framework of the 1960s and 1970s aimed at normalising relations and fostering cooperation with Eastern Bloc states.
Westbindung: Germany’s integration into Western political, economic and defence structures, including the EU and NATO.
Rules-based international order: A system of global governance grounded in agreed norms, legal frameworks and multilateral institutions to regulate state behaviour.
References
- Leadership aspirations versus reality: Germany's self-concept in Europe. International Affairs (2023).
- Breaking with convention? Zeitenwende and the traditional pillars of German foreign policy. International Affairs (2022).
- Zeitenwende: German Foreign Policy Change in the Wake of Russia's War Against Ukraine. Politics and Governance (2024).
- Between economic openness and strategic caution: Germany’s response to China’s investment. Asia Europe Journal (2023).
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