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Beyond the big powers: Germany aims to diversify

February 6, 2026

Where is Germany really heading as it scrambles to diversify its foreign‑policy partnerships? In this Berlin Briefing, Nina Haase talks to Jakob Hensing (GPPi) about Germany’s evolving role in a tense, multipolar world. Richard Walker and Michaela Küfner join in to share rare first‑hand insights from traveling with German officials on diplomatic missions to the Indo‑Pacific and the Gulf.

https://p.dw.com/p/58D1j

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Intro
02:57 A new German economic model?
05:23 Merz’s Realpolitik approach
09:30 Opposition criticism
12:37 Merz’s Gulf region agenda
17:55 Indo-Pacific jet set diplomacy
21:36 A lack of experts
26:18 Values vs interests
29:22 European constraints
33:58 A clear vision?
35:26 Outro 

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