Germany's New Defense Reality: the "Zeitenwende" Unpacked

Join us as we dissect the monumental changes in German security and defense policy, described as the most fundamental shift since the end of the Cold War. Prompted by Russia's open violation of international law in Ukraine, Germany has committed to a €100 billion special fund for its military and reversed its long-held stance on providing weapons to conflict zones. But how far can this 'Zeitenwende' truly go? We explore the societal nuances, from varying public support for military aid in western versus eastern Germany to the lack of societal approval for a military leadership role, alongside the practical hurdles of financing and procurement, with estimates suggesting the special fund is only a third of what's needed. This is the story of a nation grappling with its security identity in a radically changed world.Source: European Parliament: Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services, Anghel, S. and Damen, M. G., The future European security architecture – Dilemmas for EU strategic autonomy, European Parliament, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2861/5925815