Episode 67: Will Germany’s Zeitenwende Stick?

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared a “Zeitenwende,” a historic turning point for Germany’s security and defense policy. Scholz pledged to set up an off-budget fund of €100 billion to invest in the modernization of the Bundeswehr and promised that Germany would reach NATO’s defense spending goal of 2 percent of GDP. Breaking with decades of tradition of not sending arms to conflict zones, the German government also has supplied weapons to Ukraine. On this episode of the Zeitgeist, AICGS President Jeff Rathke, AICGS Senior Fellow and Director of Society, Culture, and Politics Program Eric Langenbacher and AICGS Non-Resident Senior Fellow Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger discuss the impact thus far of the Zeitenwende on Germany’s defense, security, and foreign policy, as well as the prospects for delivering fully on the promised changes. How significant and fundamental is Zeitenwende? Will Germany play a stronger defense role in NATO and the EU under Scholz’s new approach? Why hasn’t Berlin provided more and higher-quality weapons to Ukraine despite the promised increase in military spending? How is domestic politics accompanying (or complicating) the Zeitenwende? And what measure should be used to judge the Zeitenwende? Host Jeff Rathke, President, AICGS Guest Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger, AICGS Non-Resident Senior Fellow Eric Langenbacher, AICGS Senior Fellow; Director, Society, Culture & Politics Program