German Foreign policy in the New International Geopolitics

This article tries to understand the complexities of German foreign policy in the new international geopolitical environment. There are few analysts who do not believe in considering Germany as a giant in industry and economy. However, it seems that this giant moves in the realm of international politics in a delicate, calculated and to some extent, unstable manner. The self – restraint culture prevalent in Germany means rejecting the participation in any military operation without United Nations Security Council or Bundestag authorization as a heritage of the two world wars. But, there is also a traditional tendency in Germany for having a considerable share in international politics and economy. These two divergent forces make it troublesome for German officials for developing a formulated strategy in the international arena. This article tries to realize how the accumulation of German national power after Germany's reunification in the first half of 1990s has influenced its foreign policy approach and behavior.