“Change of Epochs” in German security and defense policy

The current study examines transformation of German security and defense policy after the speech of Chancellor O. Scholz in Bundestag on February 27, 2022, announcing the “Change of Epochs” – a new era in German foreign and defense policy. Germany’s security and defense policy was characterized by stability and predictability for a long time and has currently reached the stage of evolutionary transition. It is embodied in the shift in the perception of goals and objectives of Bundeswehr and in the release of the first National security strategy. “Integrated security” is the structuring concept of National security strategy, which encompasses internal and external defense and covers a wide range of military and non-military challenges, risks, dangers, and threats, connected with economy, environment, healthcare, industry, supply chains, human rights, etc. Bureaucratic stumbling blocks and lack of consensus between ministries influenced the content of the strategy, thus the document represents predominately the analysis of current situation in international affairs, rather than prospects for the security and defense policy. The strategy lacks systematization and prioritization of defensive goals and objectives, hence the deadlines for these goals seem to be blurred. Moreover, there is still no understanding about the ministry or the office, which will be responsible for the implementation of the propositions introduced in the strategy. Even with such ambiguity and contradictions in the security and defense policy, the “Zeitenwende” (“Change of Epochs”) and the new National security strategy illustrate the attempt of Germany to set its status quo in the rapid changes and shifts in the security sphere, on both regional and global level.