| ID | 138184 |
| Title Proper | Germany rethinks Its role in the world |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Kundnani, Hans |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | In January 2014, German President Joachim Gauck gave a remarkable speech at the Munich Security Conference in which he exhorted his compatriots to take greater responsibility for solving global problems. He criticized those who “use Germany’s guilt for its past as a shield for laziness or a desire to disengage from the world.” Most controversially in a country that aspires to be a Friedensmacht, or a “force for peace,” he said Germany should “not say ‘no’ on principle” to the use of military force. Polls carried out after the speech suggested that the German public was skeptical—particularly about the use of military force. Although several other leading politicians such as Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen expressed support for Gauck, Chancellor Angela Merkel remained conspicuously silent. |
| `In' analytical Note | Current History Vol. 114, No.770; Mar 2015: p.115-118 |
| Journal Source | Current History Vol: 114 No 770 |
| Key Words | United States ; Germany ; Western Power ; German Foreign Policy ; Joachim Gauck |