22 – A Strategic Deficit with German Characteristics: Why Berlin Struggles to Move Beyond the Zeitenwende

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In season two’s third episode, Ben and Aaron are joined by grand strategy expert Maximilian Terhalle, as well as the DGAP’s own Aylin Matlé and Jacob Ross, to discuss why Germany must move on from its reactive Zeitenwende to a more proactive grand strategy – which marshals all of its resources together for strategic goals. They tackle questions like whether Germany understands authoritarian threats, whether it has geopolitical goals, and how to change its strategic mindset – and strategic culture.

Guests:

  • Maximilian Terhalle, Professor of Strategic Studies, London School of Economics (@M_Terhalle)
  • Aylin Matle, Research Fellow, Center for Security and Defence, DGAP (@AylinMatle)
  • Jacob Ross, Research Fellow, DGAP (@j_2ross)

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Visual: Berlinside Out

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Action Group Zeitenwende

Understanding Germany,
Understanding International Politics

Our inaugural season shows why its important to understand Germany and, especially, why now.

Exploring the supposedly "epochal shift" or "Zeitenwende" we zoom in on key issues such as Ukraine’s fight for freedom and climate change, and key policy areas such as defence, economics and trade as well as foreign and security policy more widely to see if Germany’s change is going far enough – and fast enough.

We look at Germany’s key relations with partners and allies in order to understand how the country’s hesitant transition is seen abroad, how this is impacting the Western alliance and what that all says about our geostrategic choices, the future of the free world and global ordering.

Join Benjamin Tallis and Aaron Gasch Burnett as they explore the intricacies of Ukraine’s victory, Germany's reservations, their implications for the global order.