Germany at the turning point: politicization of foreign policy urgently needed!

Germany at the turning point: politicization of foreign policy urgently needed!

The geopolitical tensions and the upcoming federal elections 2025 are the focus of the discourse, as Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook emphasizes in an interview. By November 1st, a new EU Commission should be in office that could have shaped political discussions with the United States. But the agenda is delayed while Germany is set up on an election campaign that is increasingly shaped by populist messages. According to Ashbrook, a change of management in Europe is urgently necessary, since a strong German foreign policy is essential for the stability of the EU, as the Berlin Pulse of the Körber Foundation shows, which underlines the need for higher defense spending. Germany has to rethink its security and defense engagement and show less reluctant to take on a central role in Europe, says Clüver Ashbrook and Karl Kaiser.

The change in diplomacy and new challenges

In another context, Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook illustrates as part of her “Future of Diplomacy” project that future conflicts will be increasingly transnational and interconnected. The diplomats of tomorrow must be able to interpret large amounts of data and to develop innovative approaches to conflict prevention. Globalization forces us to fundamentally change our approach to diplomacy. This not only requires technical know-how, but also the adaptation of the bureaucratic structures in the outside ministers of the numerous countries. Ashbrook notes that the geopolitical alliances must also be re -evaluated in order to develop a dynamic foreign policy that withstands the challenges of the 21st century.

as Ashbrook emphasizes, it is crucial that Europe does not wait but actively acts. The development of a common defense and procurement policy is not only desirable, but also necessary for a strong transatlantic relationship, regardless of who is in power in the United States. According to the Kaiser, the return -specific responsibility of Germany and the change in its foreign policy could be decisive in order to open up a new chapter of European cooperation.

For further details on the changing geopolitical landscapes and the urgency of the reforms in Germany, the complete interviews and analyzes can be found on dgap and Germany.de