Note to Berlin: Power and responsibility in foreign policy

The stakes are high in the current discussion on German foreign and defence policy, both for Germany and for Europe. Berlin has many reasons to conclude that being active on economics, but less so on difficult topics of foreign policy, does not make its (external and internal) economic might more acceptable or more effective.

Foreign policy in general, and international leadership in particular, comes with imperfections and costs, and sometime with frustration and loneliness. Germany has to prepare for this, and its partners – with France at the forefront – should ensure that as Berlin moves towards a stronger foreign policy, they facilitate support for it both domestically and internationally.

ESO: Background information: A more democratic foreign policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/a-more-democratic-foreign-policy/

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