Canceled: Germany’s Defense Policy in Times of Growing Challenges

A Conversation with Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of the greatest political and security challenges confronting the United States and its allies in many decades. Germany has played a crucial role in the response, as the second largest provider of international support, helping enable Ukraine’s defense, imposing severe costs on Russia, and responding to the humanitarian crisis unleashed by Moscow. At the start of the war, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared that Germany had reached a turning point in its security policy. The Defense Ministry and the German armed forces are at the forefront of implementing these changes, known as the “Zeitenwende.” Since February 2022, Germany has committed an additional 100 billion Euros to recapitalize the Bundeswehr, while also strengthening Germany’s forward presence along NATO’s eastern flank.

Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and the American-German Institute are proud to host Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (SPD) to deliver keynote remarks on the Zeitenwende and Germany’s defense policy in times of growing challenges. Mr. Pistorius will be making his first official visit as Defense Minister to the United States.

Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius
Boris Pistorius took office as Minister of Defense on January 19, 2023. The Minister of Defense is the commander-in-chief of the German armed forces. Previously he served as the Minister of Interior and Sport in the German state of Lower Saxony from 2013 to 2023 and Mayor of the city of Osnabrück from 2006 to 2013.

Minister of Defense Pistorius will be welcomed by Professor Mary Sarotte, Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Distinguished Professor of Historical Studies at the SAIS Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs. The discussion will be moderated by Jeff Rathke, President of AGI.

We would welcome your participation at this important event in German-American partnership. Please keep up-to-date on information from the American-German Institute in order to register once this event is rescheduled.

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This event is to be rescheduled. Please contact Mr. Jack Fornasiero at jfornasiero@aicgs.org with any questions.