Democracy and war

Germany and Europe must be prepared to defend themselves from threats at home and abroad

Russia's war, Hamas' war and Israel's military response, Chinas harassment against Taiwan and conflict with the West. America's foreign policy is pushed to the limit and split on domestic policy. Traditional centrist parties in Europe are diminishing or have vanished, whilst the populist challenge to the system is gaining ground.

Norbert Röttgen analyses how the wars that threaten Europe, lead at the same time to an escalation in tensions across societies and threats to the authority of Western democracies. Foreign policy and the state of our democratic systems have become inseparable. The good news is: policy can move things on. Our country must be a force for security and peace in Europe.