Publication

This analysis looks at Germany’s 2016 Defense White Paper (DWP) and whether it will succeed in nudging the country into becoming a more prominent player in international security, particularly in the case of exercising hard power. While exploring this overarching theme, the text’s author also looks at 1) the changing international and domestic environments that precipitated the DWP; 2) the strategic vision which the paper promotes; 3) the adjustments the German military will have to make to support the vision, both operationally and in terms of capabilities; and 4) the downstream impacts of Brexit and the election of Donald Trump on German defense policy. The author ultimately concludes that Germany’s allies would welcome a greater military role on its part, but domestic politics will inevitably dampen what the country will be able to do.