14 – Leading from the Front: Germany and France Struggle to Rise to the Task [Part 2]

BerlinsideOut

In this second of a two-part series, Ben and Aaron take a look at how the French “Bratislava Agenda” of rapprochement with CEE and thus rebalancing European leadership complements – or clashes with – Germany's Zeitenwende, its supposed sea change in foreign and security policy. We talk support for Ukraine, how Germany and France should prepare for a possible Trump presidency in the US, and what a Marine Le Pen presidency would mean for Europe.

Together with our guests we explore how Europe’s old couple might be drifting apart and why that matters – including because of their shared struggles to lead from the front in Europe. France because of lack of followers, Germany because of lack of vision and will. Many experts – including our guests – concur that the Franco-German couple remains essential for the EU, but they seem to be being outpaced ore outmanoeuvred by geopolitical shifts.

Guests:

• Camille Grand, Distinguished Policy Fellow, ECFR & Former Assistant Secretary-General, NATO (@camille_grand)
• Georgina Wright, Deputy Director of International Studies, Institut Montaigne (@GeorginaEWright)

Resources:

• Strategy, capabilities, technology: A manifesto for new European defence, Camille Grand, ECFR
• A Summit of Substance: How NATO can prove itself in Vilnius, Camille Grand, ECFR
• What a Marine Le Pen Victory Would Mean for Europe, Georgina Wright, Institut Montaigne
• The Missing European Dimension of Germany’s Zeitenwende, Camille Grand, IPQ
• Whose Zeitenwende? Germany Cannot Meet Everyone’s Expectations, Martin Qunecez & Kristi Raik
• The Real Reasons the EU is Concerned About the IRA, Georgina Wright, Institute Montaigne
• The Ukraine Moment in Transatlantic Relations – and then What?, Georgina Wright, Institute Montaigne
• The Zeitenwende Beyond Germany, DGAP AOZ, IPQ
• Strategic Autonomy is a Dangerous Myth, Benjamin Tallis, COE CCM

Follow DGAP & the hosts on social media:

Dr. Benjamin Tallis

Aaron Gasch Burnett

DGAP on X

DGAP on Instagram

DGAP on LinkedIn