Changes in German Security Policy Too Small to Make a Difference

The Munich Security Conference took place last week, where representatives from politics, science, and society convened to discuss current security policy challenges. Jan Techau, director of the German Marshall Fund’s Europe Program, gave his take on the role of Germany in the security field for Inforadio.

Germany is aware of the need for changes in security policy issues, but "the response is still a little lacking," says Jan Techau. In principle, Germany is doing more in security now more than ever, but the commitments make no strategic difference, says Techau. For example, Germany stationed their armed forces, the Bundeswehr, in Lithuania after the annexation of the Crimea, and they have been involved in the fight against the Islamic State. "These are important steps. But at the end of the day they are so small that one does not feel that they make a strategic difference."