Three times in the postwar era Germany made strategic choices that benefited Europe – with the US at its side. Now it must do it in opposition to TrumpThree times in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, its chancellors have made strategic choices that opened the door to a better future for Europe. Today there’s not just an opportunity but an urgent need for a fourth such historic moment. If the country’s new coalition government under Friedrich Merz manages to seize the chance of this crisis, both Germany and Europe will go forward. If it fails, then by the end of the 2020s both may have fallen backwards farther and faster than most of us could have imagined in our worst nightmares.The big difference with those three earlier pivotal moments is this: in 1949, 1969 and 1989 the Federal Republic’s policy was fundamentally aligned with that of the United States. This time, Germany has to build up a stronger, free, democratic and Ukraine-supporting Europe against the current p...
The article by Timothy Garton Ash discusses how Germany has historically made strategic choices that benefited Europe, aligning with U.S. policy in the postwar era. However, the current moment calls for Germany to lead Europe’s renewal independently of U.S. actions, particularly under the Trump administration. The author highlights the need for Germany to address internal challenges, such as economic dynamism and migration, and to strengthen Europe’s defense and unity, especially in support of Ukraine. The success of this effort hinges on Germany’s ability to navigate its political and economic constraints and seize this historic opportunity.
