James N. Mattis Panel Discussion

Transatlantic Uncertainty and the Future of European Defense

In the wake of ongoing global crises, the war in Ukraine, and shifting US political dynamics following the 2024 election, Germany’s security landscape faces renewed urgency and uncertainty. The Zeitenwende—announced with great ambition by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in 2022—promised a fundamental transformation of Germany’s military and defense posture. Two years later, with rising demands for European security autonomy, new pressures from Washington, and evolving battlefield realities in Ukraine, Germany’s ability to deliver on this promise is more critical than ever. In this public session, experts and policymakers will reflect on Europe’s defense trajectory in light of growing uncertainty across the Atlantic. The conversation will explore political leadership, public support, and strategic vision.

Discussion with Mara Karlin, Professor, Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS); Visiting Fellow, Brookings Institution

This discussion is part of a two-day workshop “Germany, Europe, and the Future of Transatlantic Security,” which is made possible through the support of Airbus, Rohde & Schwarz, and Stark Defence