German foreign policy leadership

German leaders juggle foreign policy crises

The German government has proven itself adept at juggling foreign policy crises, but as it reaches the halfway point of its term, it is more important than ever that nothing gets dropped

Bismarck and Germany’s pro-Russia lobby

Conservatives say Germany should pursue Bismarck’s policy of placating Russia, but a Bismarck of today would have a wholly different strategy

The European Energy Union

The European Council's recent declaration on the European energy market reflects to a large extent a compromise between the German position and the plans of Eastern European states

Germany’s Foreign Ministry reinvents itself

Steinmeier’s review process has come up with a range of prescriptions for the German foreign ministry, and the far-reaching reform envisioned could transform German diplomacy

Gabriel’s new course on arms sales

Gabriel has reinserted the needs of a values-based foreign policy into the debate on European arms sales, which could make him a key stakeholder in EU foreign policy

“Over and over again”

The extension of the eurozone’s assistance programme for Greece dominates the European debate in Germany and links eurozone politics to the future of Europe. 

The Greek compromise

To applause back home, Germany succeeded in conceding little to Greece – but the result might be future chaos