Internationale Politik Quarterly

for all of you heading to #MSC2026, here's a little primer on how (not) to talk about European security
@ipq.bsky.social

Geostrategic Refresh: Europe in a New World Britain and Germany should forge a military partnership to shape the arc from Greenland to the Black Sea.

In our special @munsecconf.bsky.social issue, @james-rogers.bsky.social argues that, in order to counter the relative decline of European power, Britain and Germany should forge a military partnership to shape the arc from Greenland to the Black Sea.

ip-quarterly.com/en/geostrate...

Special Issue | MSC 2026 In a (second) special issue published on the occasion of the Munich Security Conference 2026 we focus on European security in the era of the "Trump Doctrine."

Our special issue for the @munsecconf.bsky.social is now live.

Read it online here: ip-quarterly.com/en/special-i...

And pick up a physical copy if you're in Munich this week.

Germany’s New European Policy Puts Effectiveness before Unity German policy on Europe is changing fundamentally. The worse the global crises become, the more Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing for quick decisions—if necessary, even against Germany's closest pa...

The worse the global crises become, the more Friedrich Merz is pushing for quick decisions—if necessary, even against Germany's closest partner, France, @andreasrinke.bsky.social writes in a new piece.

ip-quarterly.com/en/germanys-...

Many interesting points in our interview w/ Wolfgang Ischinger @munsecconf.bsky.social

- transatlantic relationship/NATO far from dead, but Trump administration’s actions in January have raised doubts about Washington’s reliability

… 2/

“We Have to Go Back to the Idea of a Core Europe” Washington’s behavior on the global stage at the beginning of 2026 has increased doubts about the Trump administration’s reliability, MSC chairman Wolfgang Ischinger warns.

Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the @munsecconf.bsky.social, on increased doubts about the Trump administration’s reliability.

This interview is part of our upcoming special issue for the Munich Security Conference: ip-quarterly.com/en/we-have-g...

A Tale of Two Visits to India The trips to New Delhi by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speak of the success of forging closer ties between Europea and India. But further eff...

New from @barnabyjdye.bsky.social: The recent trips to New Delhi by Friedrich Merz and Ursula von der Leyen speak of the success of forging closer ties between Europe and India. But further efforts are needed.

ip-quarterly.com/en/tale-two-...

The Carney Doctrine Needs a Dose of Realism–and Honesty Mark Carney’s Davos speech was outstanding. However, as inspiring as the Canadian prime minister’s new middle powers doctrine is, it needs more honesty and realism.

New from @tbenner.bsky.social: As inspiring as Mark Carney’s new middle powers doctrine is, it needs more honesty and realism.

ip-quarterly.com/en/carney-do...

A Tale of Two Visits to India The trips to New Delhi by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speak of the success of forging closer ties between Europea and India. But further eff...

My take on the recent visits to India by Merz and EU for @ipq.bsky.social We might look back at January 2026 as the foundation for a major EU-India relationship - a moment combining substance and symbolism, that generated trust on both sides through 'word and deed' ip-quarterly.com/en/tale-two-...

Europe’s Architectural Challenge Europeans need to boldly re-engage in shaping not only their continent’s security order but also its broader political structures.

Europeans need to boldly re-engage in shaping not only their continent’s security order but also its broader political structures, @almutm.bsky.social writes in our winter issue.

ip-quarterly.com/en/europes-a...

This piece is part of our special print issue for the Munich Security Conference. If you’re attending in 2 weeks, make sure to pick up a copy.

The Trump Doctrine One year into his second administration, the contours of US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy have become clearer.

NEW from @leslievinjamuri.bsky.social: One year into his second administration, the contours of Donald Trump’s foreign policy have become clearer.

ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-doc...

Germans Need to Overcome Their Pessimism Amid tumultuous world events, Germany has become fearful of the future. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is right to try and address this.

I really enjoyed this piece in @ipq.bsky.social, it's a much-needed dose of optimism. And as a reminder, being optimistic does not mean being naive.

ip-quarterly.com/en/germans-n...

Germans Need to Overcome Their Pessimism Amid tumultuous world events, Germany has become fearful of the future. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is right to try and address this.

Amid tumultuous world events, Germany has become fearful of the future. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is right to try and address this, @henninghoff.bsky.social writes in the latest Berlin Cable.

ip-quarterly.com/en/germans-n...

The Demonstration Gap: How Europe Is Pulling Ahead on Clean Industry When it comes to clean industrial policy, the US and EU diverged fundamentally in their approaches during 2025. The next four years will determine who played their cards right.

"When it comes to clean industrial policy, the US and EU diverged fundamentally in their approaches during 2025. The next four years will determine who played their cards right."
@ipq.bsky.social
ip-quarterly.com/en/demonstra...

The Case for Berlin Supplying Arms to Taipei Taiwan is struggling with the effects of late and insufficient US weapons deliveries, which are making it more vulnerable. It would be in Germany’s interest to step in.

Notably, the document does not endorse the idea that European allies could play a role in Taiwan’s defense—contrary to arguments made by @johnrdeni.bsky.social ( breakingdefense.com/2026/01/the-...) and by @weberv.bsky.social & I in @ipq.bsky.social : ip-quarterly.com/en/case-berl...)

The Demonstration Gap: How Europe Is Pulling Ahead on Clean Industry When it comes to clean industrial policy, the US and EU diverged fundamentally in their approaches during 2025. The next four years will determine who played their cards right.

When it comes to clean industrial policy, the US and EU diverged fundamentally in their approaches last year. The next four years will determine who played their cards right.

From our new winter issue: ip-quarterly.com/en/demonstra...

Europe Cannot Afford the Polish-German Impasse Despite good intentions, ties between Warsaw and Berlin have remained frosty. The European rearmament effort offers an opportunity to improve the relationship that must not be missed.

In his latest Warsaw Memo, Piotr Buras writes that Europe cannot afford the Polish-German impasse—but that the EU's rearmament effort is an opportunity for the two countries to improve their relationship.

ip-quarterly.com/en/europe-ca...

MAGA and Regime Change in Europe The new US foreign and security policy is often described as isolationist. But its activities in Europe are increasing: not in military terms, but in political ones.

As world leaders talk at Davos about the need for an international rules based order sans Trump, read Jacob Ross on the MAGA movement increasing its political presence in Europe.

ip-quarterly.com/en/maga-and-...

The EU Needs a Plan for the Age of Strategic Globalization Closer cooperation with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) would provide an answer to the problems the EU is facing.

In our new issue, @fraghi.bsky.social addresses the EU's need for a plan in the age of strategic globalization: ip-quarterly.com/en/eu-needs-...

The Post-Atlantic Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to make Germany a leading middle power, but an assessment of his progress so far in foreign policy is sobering.

Friedrich Merz wants to make Germany a leading middle power. But as @dbroessler.bsky.social writes, assessing his foreign policy progress so far is a sobering exercise.

ip-quarterly.com/en/post-atla...

Can Macron Still Persuade Europe to Reform? French President Emmanuel Macron had myriad ambitious ideas for how to futureproof the EU, but little success in implementing them. Talking to IPQ, he urges his fellow leaders to focus more on Africa,...

For our new issue, William Drozdiak spoke to Emmanuel Macron, who is urging his fellow leaders to focus more on Africa, which will see a “spectacular transformation.”

ip-quarterly.com/en/can-macro...

This, by @johnkampfner.bsky.social is really worth your while if you want to understand what’s happening in the UK where, with some help from the US (and a disoriented Labour government) the far right is going mainstream…

How MAGA Is Taking Aim at “Broken Britain” The special relationship has never been better—between a special type of American and a special type of Brit. Donald Trump could not be happier with the progress being made by Nigel Farage and his Ref...

One of many timely pieces in our new issue: @johnkampfner.bsky.social on how MAGA is taking aim at “broken Britain": ip-quarterly.com/en/how-maga-...

Do read @rebeccawire.bsky.social in our new issue!

I think Chancellor Friedrich Merz did not get enough credit for going down the eurobonds route without much drama when his plan to use the frozen Russian assets didn’t work out. He’s proven to be a v pragmatic “foreign” chancellor (Aussenkanzler)…

Peace Unto All Russia’s Orthodox Church is part of President Vladimir Putin’s power apparatus, wholeheartedly supporting the war of aggression against Ukraine and justifying it. Priests who disagree face severe puni...

Russia’s Orthodox Church is part of Vladimir Putin’s power apparatus, wholeheartedly supporting and justifying the war of aggression against Ukraine. Priests who disagree face severe punishment or exile, @lucyaash.bsky.social writes in our new issue.

ip-quarterly.com/en/peace-unt...

Europe Pays Up for Ukraine The EU’s borrowing plan is a solid way forward. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the other European leaders came through when it mattered.

In December, the EU came up with a substantial amount of aid for Ukraine, despite pushback from multiple member states, and with options for future talks. Friedrich Merz deserves a lot of credit for getting the deal over the line, @rebeccawire.bsky.social writes.

ip-quarterly.com/en/europe-pa...

Europeans Want a Stronger and Larger EU Polling suggests that big majorities across Europe support common policies on defense, foreign policy, and trade, inter alia. And the latest EU summit showed how a more capable EU may come about.

Polling suggests that big majorities across Europe support common policies on defense, foreign policy, and trade. And, @ljohnson.bsky.social writes in our new issue, the latest EU summit showed how a more capable EU may come about.

ip-quarterly.com/en/europeans...

Ideas, Please! What single step would advance the EU right here and now? IPQ asked leading think tankers from across Europe for their one “big idea.”

What single step would best advance the EU right now? See what @nvondarza.bsky.social, @linnselle.bsky.social, @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @georginaewright.bsky.social, @alanderminna.bsky.social, @jeremycliffe.bsky.social, and more had to say.

ip-quarterly.com/en/ideas-ple...

New Ideas for Europe The US capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro with the intention of “running” the country is only the latest event in which Europeans have been forced to watch helplessly from the sidelines. T...

The US capture of Nicolás Maduro with the intention of "running" the country is only the latest event in which Europeans have been forced to watch helplessly from the sidelines.

This needs to change, @henninghoff.bsky.social writes in our new issue.

ip-quarterly.com/en/new-ideas...