In this episode of the DW Berlin Briefing, host Nina Haase and a panel of experts analyze Germany’s rapid strategic pivot toward a multipolar world. As the transatlantic alliance faces unprecedented strain from U.S. policy shifts, Berlin is scrambling to reduce its reliance on traditional superpowers. The episode features rare first-hand insights from correspondents traveling with German delegations to the Indo-Pacific and the Gulf, where securing new energy sources and building fresh, „values-based“ alliances have become a matter of national economic survival.
For the diplomatic community, the podcast provides a critical look at the „Merz Doctrine“ in practice. It explores the tension between Germany’s commitment to liberal values and the hard Realpolitik required to secure critical minerals and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from non-traditional partners. As the global order fragments into competing spheres of influence, the discussion highlights how Berlin is attempting to carve out a role as a „middle power leader“—leveraging trade and technology to ensure that European interests are not sidelined by the escalating rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts.