The “2014 Review”: Understanding the Pillars of German Foreign Policy and the Expectations of the Rest of the World
German foreign policy is today confronted with a number of fundamental challenges. The country has become larger and has again become strong economically and must no longer content itself with its former role as France’s political junior partner in Europe or the United States’ junior partner in the world. At the same time, Berlin is far from being fully prepared for taking over this new role – deficits are both strategic and conceptual.
Neither the political class nor the media, not to mention the German society, holds concise ideas about German interests in Europe and the world beyond the promotion of peace and justice.
Germany’s political class has not failed to take note of this unsatisfactory situation. As one of the first measures of his new and second term in office, foreign minister Steinmeier announced in 2013 the “self-reflection on the perspectives of German foreign policy” (Steinmeier 2013), which was translated into the “Review 2014 – Außenpolitik Weiter Denken” project.
The debate on Germany’s future foreign and security policy has, however, only just begun. The Review did certainly not end it, but represents merely a snapshot of the longer process during which the country will outgrow its postwar role as France’s and the United States‘junior partner. The Review itself can only in a limited way provide an answer to the question of in which direction this reorientation should happen and how far it should go.
Annegret Bendiek is Senior Associate at the research group "EU/Europe" at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik). Between April and October 2014 she was part of the Policy Planning Staff at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Download the full analysis
This page contains only a summary of our work. If you would like to have access to all the information from our research on the subject, you can download the full version in PDF format.
The “2014 Review”: Understanding the Pillars of German Foreign Policy and the Expectations of the Rest of the World
Author(s)
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programs
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
Find out more
Discover all our analyses
Reconciling competitiveness and demographic change: a Franco-German imperative
France and Germany are facing parallel demographic shifts that could reshape the future of their economies and their social models. These shifts reflect broader European patterns but are magnified by the central role both nations play in EU governance and competitiveness.
Taking the Pulse: Does France's Political Crisis Weaken Europe's Geopolitical Hand?
While the EU tries to navigate a myriad international challenges, France is experiencing historic political disarray. What impact will instability in Paris have on Europe's geostrategic capacity?
Imaginary and Reality of the Franco-German border: a Laboratory for Europe of tomorrow
In Europe, the question of borders is a central issue. According to the European Parliament, border regions cover around 40% of the European Union (EU) territory, concentrate 30% of its population and produce nearly a third of its gross domestic product.
A Franco-German “Reset”? The Ambitions of the Franco-German Council of Ministers. Challenges of Joint Leadership in Europe
As a Catholic from the Rhineland, Friedrich Merz is heir to the CDU’s Franco-German policy, from Konrad Adenauer to Helmut Kohl and Wolfgang Schäuble. While Franco-German rhetoric and reflexes are deeply ingrained in him, their results must nevertheless be put into perspective.