The German Government Presents New Security Strategy
Mood in the Country
The German government presented a new security strategy, highlighting the pessimistic mood in the country. The document aims to address all policy fields, internal and external, that may impact Germans’ security.
Three Priorities
The strategy lists three priorities: classic military security, resilience at home, and sustainability, particularly in relation to climate change. The military priority confirms the dramatic change of German policy in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Allies and Rivals
Germany is banking on France and the US as essential allies, especially in terms of military security. The strategy describes China as a systemic rival, but also as a partner in solving global issues.
Values and Interests
The strategy ends the artificial distinction between democracy and human rights as values and interests. However, it remains silent on how to deal with the grey zone countries that are neither democracies nor hard autocracies.
Weaknesses of the Strategy
While the strategy identifies the right themes and points out many dangers, it is neither specific and hard-hitting in its analysis nor selective in what it considers to be the top priorities. It is balancing, not shaping.