ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to elucidate the concept of European strategic autonomy as it is understood in Germany. As such, it attempts to capture Berlin’s evolving conception of its place in European security architecture and global affairs at large. Over the span of the last few years, profound changes in its external environment – namely the unexpected US presidency of Donald Trump, the growing assertiveness of China, and, perhaps most significantly, Russia’s 2022 war in Ukraine – have triggered a rethinking of Berlin’s long-held geostrategic assumptions. The following is an attempt to bring out key episodes from the German debates on strategic autonomy, disentangle the controversies that surround it, and take stock of its ability to translate this vision into practical policies.
