Zeitenwende in Germany – a new realistic worldview and its implications

Abstract

The profound changes in the global security environment have prompted a fundamental reassessment of foreign, security, and defense policy in Germany. Politically framed as a Zeitenwende (turning point), this shift is accompanied by an increased emphasis on Kriegstüchtigkeit (readiness for war), defense preparedness, and calls for a broader societal “mental rearmament.” This article examines Germany’s evolving security orientation as an expression of a transformed strategic self-understanding and situates it within the framework of realist theories of international relations. The article argues that Germany’s current security policy transformation is not driven by hegemonic ambitions, but rather by a logic of autonomy maximization. In response to a more fragile international order, growing uncertainties within multilateral institutions, and rising expectations regarding collective defense, Germany is adapting its policies in a realist manner to altered power and threat constellations. While Germany’s embeddedness in NATO and the European Union remains intact, long-standing self-imposed constraints rooted in historical experience are increasingly being reassessed. Against this backdrop, the article analyzes the societal and political tensions generated by the renewed focus on military capability. Central to this discussion are Germany’s historically ambivalent relationship with its armed forces, debates over the potential reintroduction of compulsory military service, and questions of democratic oversight and parliamentary control. Particular attention is paid to symbolic and institutional efforts aimed at re-anchoring the Bundeswehr within society, most notably the introduction of a National Veterans Day in 2025. The article concludes that the call for Kriegstüchtigkeit extends far beyond a narrow defense policy agenda. It represents a deeper renegotiation of Germany’s civil–military relations, political culture, and national identity. Whether the Zeitenwende will prove sustainable ultimately depends on the ability to reconcile enhanced military effectiveness with democratic legitimacy, societal acceptance, and continued parliamentary accountability.