Germany, a key player in EU foreign policy, is also a vital pillar of the union\u2019s security and defense. Unlike many allies, Germany\u2019s foreign and security policies are uniquely shaped by its historical experiences. For over 50 years, Germany has maintained a foreign and security policy characterized by limited sovereignty, firmly rooted in multilateral institutions such as the U.N., EU and NATO. This approach is accompanied by strong anti-militarist sentiment and pacifist tendencies, which form its \u201cnational strategic culture of restraint.”<\/p>\n
Strategic culture refers to the way a state responds to security threats, influenced by its history, ideology and political identity. In Germany, this concept centers on \u201cdistance from military force,\u201d \u201ccommitment to multilateralism\u201d and \u201cavoidance of leadership,\u201d all rooted in the devastating legacy of World War II and the Cold War\u2019s constraining international order. Germany\u2019s \u201cStrategic Culture of Restraint\u201d is built on pillars summarized as \u201ccivilian power\u201d: \u201cnever again\u201d as a reaction to past atrocities, \u201cnever alone\u201d as a commitment to alliances, and \u201cpolitics before force\u201d (Politik vor Gewalt) prioritizing diplomacy. This culture deliberately avoids military force in conflict resolution, instead embracing peaceful instruments, non-militarist soft power and economic diplomacy. This orientation has also profoundly shaped Germany\u2019s responsibilities within NATO and the EU, influencing not only its foreign policy but also European security orientations. Despite repeated calls from European and trans-Atlantic allies, particularly the United States, for Germany to assume greater responsibility, Germany has largely refrained, constrained by its enduring culture of restraint.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, crises such as the 2014 annexation of Crimea, the 2015 refugee crisis, Brexit, U.S. Trump administration policies and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine have demonstrated Germany’s efforts to reconcile its traditional strategic culture with increasing modern security pressures. Following Russia\u2019s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared the \u201cturning point\u201d (Zeitenwende), signaling a commitment to fundamentally change Germany\u2019s defense policy, which had long depended on the U.S. security umbrella. Scholz\u2019s government aimed to extend its \u201cculture of restraint\u201d to address chronic neglect in defense capabilities and a strategic naivety in its foreign and security policy. Germany then began rearmament, moving away from its cautious foreign policy and starting military support for Ukraine.<\/p>\n
However, three years after the Zeitenwende, Germany has not fully carried out the promised transformation. This reveals a fundamental contradiction between a strong skepticism of military force in German strategic culture and current security challenges. Berlin has taken a cautious and delayed approach to supporting Ukraine, often falling short of allies’ expectations and sometimes acting obstructively. This mixed stance has reduced Germany\u2019s international influence and caused a notable drift toward isolation from traditional European allies.<\/p>\n
Today, Germany faces its most significant moment since 1989, if not 1949. To the east, Russia perceives itself at war with the West and aims to rewrite the post-1990 European security order by force. Across the Atlantic, the Trump administration signaled a new era in U.S.\u2013Europe relations based on narrow self-interest rather than shared values. This evolving geopolitical context prompted the new government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz to adopt concrete measures. Merz\u2019s chancellorship represents a profound departure from Germany\u2019s traditional postwar caution and \u201cculture of restraint\u201d in defense and security policy.<\/p>\n
Under Merz government<\/strong><\/p>\n Merz stated that, considering Germany\u2019s size, economic strength and strategic position, his government aims to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe\u2019s strongest conventional army. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU)\/Christian Social Union (CSU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) coalition showed their commitment to defense and security by agreeing to establish a 500 billion euro ($587.80 billion) defense budget, an \u201ceconomic bazooka, \u201dand lifting the debt brake on defense spending even before finalizing their partnership. This 500 billion euro investment fund is a remarkable pledge for military modernization and infrastructure development. This move is not just about rearmament; it signifies a strategic redefinition of Germany\u2019s national priorities amid increasing geopolitical instability. It can be seen as a comprehensive overhaul of foreign policy, a \u201cZeitenwende 2.0,\u201d replacing Scholz\u2019s initial, unfulfilled Zeitenwende with clearer goals and substantially larger budget commitments.<\/p>\n
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