Reuters reported on June 15 that this is the first National Security Strategy in Germany's history. According to DW, although Germany has issued many policy documents related to security issues in the past, Berlin has never announced a comprehensive strategy. As early as late 2021, the German government agreed to build "a more comprehensive strategy" in the context that Germany is said to have not paid attention to emerging global threats.

The National Security Strategy, developed by the German Foreign Ministry, is the result of months of consultation with experts and citizens across the country. Chancellor Scholz's government had intended to complete the draft in the first year of his term, but due to internal discussions that had been divided, the document has only now been published.

The German Foreign Ministry emphasizes that the National Security Strategy proposes an “integrated security” approach, which means that security is part of all other areas (not just diplomacy and the military) and that each area can contribute to improving Germany’s security. The document affirms that the “guiding principle” for all German actions is to protect the country and its values.

Germany is committed to supporting the building of a liberal international order that respects and upholds international law, the United Nations Charter, the sovereign equality of states, the right of all peoples to self-determination, universal human rights, and the non-threat or use of force. "As the most populous country and the largest economy in the heart of Europe, Germany has a special responsibility for peace, security, prosperity, stability and the sustainable use of natural resources," Germany's National Security Strategy emphasizes.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (center) and cabinet members announce Germany's first National Security Strategy. Photo: Reuters

The document identifies profound changes in Germany's security environment. It is an "increasingly multipolar" world order. Wars, crises and conflicts negatively impact the security of Germany as well as Europe. German society and economy face complex threats, including terrorism, extremism, organized crime, cyber attacks and supply chain risks that are on the rise. "With a growing economy and strong partnerships in Europe and around the world, we are addressing the challenges of our time with confidence and optimism. In a changed world, we are stepping up our efforts to ensure our country is safe and free," the document states.

The National Security Strategy affirms that Germany's security cannot be separated from the security of its European allies and partners. Germany's commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) is "unwavering". Germany will spend 2% of its GDP on defense to achieve NATO's goals, while increasing investment in protecting essential infrastructure, cyber security capabilities, etc. Germany's goal is to ensure "a united Europe in peace and freedom". Germany wants to ensure that the EU can continue to maintain the bloc's security and sovereignty "in the next generations", supports EU integration and expansion, and emphasizes the need for reforms within the EU. Germany also announced that it will increase its efforts to contribute to maintaining arms control, disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation globally.

The New York Times reported that Germany's National Security Strategy has generally been welcomed and positively evaluated by many analysts. However, there are also some opinions that the document is "lacking in details", especially on the issue of the budget to implement the proposed "ambitions". "To a certain extent, this strategy fails to link the goals and the implementation methods because it does not clearly mention the budget," commented Claudia Major, an expert at the Berlin-based Institute for International and Security Affairs.

Reuters noted that the document did not mention which threats would be Germany's priority response, nor did Berlin set up a National Security Council to help implement the strategy. Meanwhile, AP quoted opposition leader Friedrich Merz as saying that the 76-page document released by Chancellor Scholz's government was "strategically unimportant, worthless, meaningless" and had been drafted without consulting Germany's allies.

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