"Historian and political scientist Herfried Munkler recently summed up what he sees as the core foreign policy problem for Germany's government: "The liberal idealism of a rules-based international order has turned out to be an illusion." At the same time, the government continues to view the preservation of multilateralism and a rulesbased international order as its overarching goal. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), warned that "China and Russia are attempting to rewrite the international order that is based on international law.""
"A major concern among German political and military leaders is that the United States may be distancing itself from Europe on security matters. In early December, General Christian Freuding told the magazine The Atlantic that direct contact with his US counterparts had been "cut off." In the past, Freuding told the magazine, communication had been possible "day and night." He called the loss of rapid-contact channels a "warning sign" especially in light of the potential for an attack by Russia on eastern NATO states."
Germany faces a core foreign-policy dilemma: liberal idealism in a rules-based international order appears illusory, yet the government prioritizes preserving multilateralism and that order. Conservative leaders warn that China and Russia are attempting to rewrite international law-based norms, and concerns extend to unpredictable US behavior under President Trump. US strategy papers criticizing Europe and seeking "strategic stability" with Russia have heightened German alarm. Military leaders report a loss of rapid communication with US counterparts, described as "cut off," removing a crucial warning mechanism against potential Russian attacks on eastern NATO states. European security feels the effects of shifting US policy on Ukraine.
Read at www.dw.com
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