Bernhard Blumenau
@bblumenau.bsky.social
Historian (terrorism, intern. cooperation, diplomacy & German foreign policy). Senior Lecturer at CSTPV/ School of IR, University of St Andrews. Young Academy of Scotland Member.Views my own https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/international-relations/people/bb57/
With Russia intensifying its hybrid campaign against Europe and Friedrich Merz facing mounting domestic pressures, particularly from the pro-Russian AfD, the question of what role Germany will play in shaping Europe's future remains a crucial one.
What explains the gap between the expectations of Germany’s neighbours for it to take greater leadership for Europe and its security, and the reluctance of German politicians to comply?
Read @bblumenau.bsky.social’s #openaccess article to learn more: https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiag061
Read @bblumenau.bsky.social’s #openaccess article to learn more: https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiag061
September 17, 2026 at 11:21 AM
With Russia intensifying its hybrid campaign against Europe and Friedrich Merz facing mounting domestic pressures, particularly from the pro-Russian AfD, the question of what role Germany will play in shaping Europe's future remains a crucial one.
For over a century the "German Problem" was about how to contain a country too large for Europe, too small for the world.
My new article in @iajournal.bsky.social argues that since 1990 the logic has inverted. The problem today is not too much Germany. It is not enough.
doi.org/10.1093/ia/i...
My new article in @iajournal.bsky.social argues that since 1990 the logic has inverted. The problem today is not too much Germany. It is not enough.
doi.org/10.1093/ia/i...
The new German Problem: Germany and its place in Europe
Is the old German Problem still the most useful way of thinking about Germany's role in Europe and the world? Tracing foreign policy from reunification to
doi.org
September 9, 2026 at 11:11 AM
For over a century the "German Problem" was about how to contain a country too large for Europe, too small for the world.
My new article in @iajournal.bsky.social argues that since 1990 the logic has inverted. The problem today is not too much Germany. It is not enough.
doi.org/10.1093/ia/i...
My new article in @iajournal.bsky.social argues that since 1990 the logic has inverted. The problem today is not too much Germany. It is not enough.
doi.org/10.1093/ia/i...
Reposted by Bernhard Blumenau
A Global History of Right-wing Terrorism by Tobias Hof @tobiashof.bsky.social has now been published!
Find out more here: bit.ly/4vZnHuh
Review from @bblumenau.bsky.social
#History #ConflictStudies
Find out more here: bit.ly/4vZnHuh
Review from @bblumenau.bsky.social
#History #ConflictStudies
August 14, 2026 at 1:03 PM
A Global History of Right-wing Terrorism by Tobias Hof @tobiashof.bsky.social has now been published!
Find out more here: bit.ly/4vZnHuh
Review from @bblumenau.bsky.social
#History #ConflictStudies
Find out more here: bit.ly/4vZnHuh
Review from @bblumenau.bsky.social
#History #ConflictStudies
My new piece for @royalsoced.bsky.social ReSourcE magazine is out.
The transatlantic relationship was built on trust — and that trust is eroding. Europe must now pursue strategic autonomy, reduce dependencies, and invest in solidarity.
What does this mean for Europe?👇
rse.org.uk/wp-content/u...
The transatlantic relationship was built on trust — and that trust is eroding. Europe must now pursue strategic autonomy, reduce dependencies, and invest in solidarity.
What does this mean for Europe?👇
rse.org.uk/wp-content/u...
May 14, 2026 at 11:36 AM
My new piece for @royalsoced.bsky.social ReSourcE magazine is out.
The transatlantic relationship was built on trust — and that trust is eroding. Europe must now pursue strategic autonomy, reduce dependencies, and invest in solidarity.
What does this mean for Europe?👇
rse.org.uk/wp-content/u...
The transatlantic relationship was built on trust — and that trust is eroding. Europe must now pursue strategic autonomy, reduce dependencies, and invest in solidarity.
What does this mean for Europe?👇
rse.org.uk/wp-content/u...
February 26, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Trump has made it clear: Europe can no longer outsource its security.
'If Europeans...aspire to remain players rather than pawns... they have...to achieve strategic emancipation'
My new short paper on Europe’s future in a Trumpian world (open access): www.fondation-pierredubois.ch/wp-content/u...
'If Europeans...aspire to remain players rather than pawns... they have...to achieve strategic emancipation'
My new short paper on Europe’s future in a Trumpian world (open access): www.fondation-pierredubois.ch/wp-content/u...
www.fondation-pierredubois.ch
January 23, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Trump has made it clear: Europe can no longer outsource its security.
'If Europeans...aspire to remain players rather than pawns... they have...to achieve strategic emancipation'
My new short paper on Europe’s future in a Trumpian world (open access): www.fondation-pierredubois.ch/wp-content/u...
'If Europeans...aspire to remain players rather than pawns... they have...to achieve strategic emancipation'
My new short paper on Europe’s future in a Trumpian world (open access): www.fondation-pierredubois.ch/wp-content/u...
From Venezuela to Greenland: the message is clear.
Trump's US is no longer a reliable partner, but a potential adversary. Europe and the UK must unite, end appeasement, and build real strategic autonomy—in tech, trade, and defence—while holding the line on Ukraine.
My op‑ed in @scotsman.com
Trump's US is no longer a reliable partner, but a potential adversary. Europe and the UK must unite, end appeasement, and build real strategic autonomy—in tech, trade, and defence—while holding the line on Ukraine.
My op‑ed in @scotsman.com
Why Europe must stop appeasing Donald Trump and prepare for the end of Nato
In a Trumpian world where territorial ambition and coercive politics have returned to Europe’s doorstep, Britain cannot stand alone
www.scotsman.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:38 AM
From Venezuela to Greenland: the message is clear.
Trump's US is no longer a reliable partner, but a potential adversary. Europe and the UK must unite, end appeasement, and build real strategic autonomy—in tech, trade, and defence—while holding the line on Ukraine.
My op‑ed in @scotsman.com
Trump's US is no longer a reliable partner, but a potential adversary. Europe and the UK must unite, end appeasement, and build real strategic autonomy—in tech, trade, and defence—while holding the line on Ukraine.
My op‑ed in @scotsman.com
Is Germany back? In this short paper, I take a look at the first months of Merz’s foreign policy and reflect on what has changed — and what has not.
Spoiler: some differences, esp. in tone and the conduct of foreign policy compared to his predecessor.
www.fondation-pierredubois.ch/wp-content/u...
Spoiler: some differences, esp. in tone and the conduct of foreign policy compared to his predecessor.
www.fondation-pierredubois.ch/wp-content/u...
www.fondation-pierredubois.ch
September 22, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Is Germany back? In this short paper, I take a look at the first months of Merz’s foreign policy and reflect on what has changed — and what has not.
Spoiler: some differences, esp. in tone and the conduct of foreign policy compared to his predecessor.
www.fondation-pierredubois.ch/wp-content/u...
Spoiler: some differences, esp. in tone and the conduct of foreign policy compared to his predecessor.
www.fondation-pierredubois.ch/wp-content/u...
“Eighty years ago, Europe feared a strong Germany. Today, it can ill afford a weak one.”
My piece in today’s @scotsman.com
@cstpv.bsky.social @standrewsir.bsky.social
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
My piece in today’s @scotsman.com
@cstpv.bsky.social @standrewsir.bsky.social
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
How Germany has gone from hated world war foe to indispensible ally
Europe once feared a strong Germany, now it needs the continent’s biggest economy to rise to its defence
www.scotsman.com
May 13, 2025 at 7:01 AM
“Eighty years ago, Europe feared a strong Germany. Today, it can ill afford a weak one.”
My piece in today’s @scotsman.com
@cstpv.bsky.social @standrewsir.bsky.social
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
My piece in today’s @scotsman.com
@cstpv.bsky.social @standrewsir.bsky.social
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
This is probably as much a slap in the face of Merz as it is in the face of SPD leader Klingbeil. Or maybe even more so.
For historic comparison. Already the worst start for any Chancellor to fail to be elected on the first vote.
For me, strong echos of the secret ballots that stopped Heide Simonis from becoming PM of Schleswig-Holstein in 2005.
Can't see Merz surviving long if he fails a second vote.
For me, strong echos of the secret ballots that stopped Heide Simonis from becoming PM of Schleswig-Holstein in 2005.
Can't see Merz surviving long if he fails a second vote.
That's history. Die bisher knappste Mehrheit bei einer Kanzlerwahl hatte Konrad Adenauer im Jahr 1949, als er genau die erforderlichen 202 Ja-Stimmen erhielt.
May 6, 2025 at 8:29 AM
This is probably as much a slap in the face of Merz as it is in the face of SPD leader Klingbeil. Or maybe even more so.
Reposted by Bernhard Blumenau
@bblumenau.bsky.social and a great day it was too
March 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
@bblumenau.bsky.social and a great day it was too
Happening today! Looking forward to insightful discussions at the workshop on the current situation in, and future of, Europe @uniofstandrews.bsky.social @scga.bsky.social @archisturrock.bsky.social
@standrewsir.bsky.social
scga.scot/2025/03/11/e...
@standrewsir.bsky.social
scga.scot/2025/03/11/e...
The Futures of Europe
Many longstanding policy strategies of the EU, its member states, and its close neighbours—not least the UK and its constituent nations—now require reassessment.
scga.scot
March 28, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Happening today! Looking forward to insightful discussions at the workshop on the current situation in, and future of, Europe @uniofstandrews.bsky.social @scga.bsky.social @archisturrock.bsky.social
@standrewsir.bsky.social
scga.scot/2025/03/11/e...
@standrewsir.bsky.social
scga.scot/2025/03/11/e...
Excellent news—another #Zeitenwende in the making. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures (and investment). No time to lose now to swiftly form the new government.
Germany’s Merz strikes debt deal to fund defence and infrastructure
https://www.ft.com/content/316ef73e-cf54-4d38-af5b-7166c684a13a
https://www.ft.com/content/316ef73e-cf54-4d38-af5b-7166c684a13a
Germany’s Merz strikes debt deal to fund defence and infrastructure
Chancellor-to-be moves to relax debt brake in ‘sea change’ from country’s conservative approach to borrowing
www.ft.com
March 4, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Excellent news—another #Zeitenwende in the making. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures (and investment). No time to lose now to swiftly form the new government.
Why indeed?
Scotland knows Brexit is holding Britain back. Why won't Labour admit it? | John Swinney
Five years after we left the EU, people are still paying the price. We’re ready to work with Westminster to forge closer bonds with Europe, says Scotland’s first minister John Swinney
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Why indeed?
Welcome to Bluesky @cstpv.bsky.social !
January 27, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Welcome to Bluesky @cstpv.bsky.social !
Happy to see my recent short paper on 'When the Traffic Light Fails: Olaf Scholz, Germany’s Political Crisis, and the Road Ahead' published by the Pierre du Bois Foundation for Current History: www.fondation-pierredubois.ch/wp-content/u...
January 8, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Happy to see my recent short paper on 'When the Traffic Light Fails: Olaf Scholz, Germany’s Political Crisis, and the Road Ahead' published by the Pierre du Bois Foundation for Current History: www.fondation-pierredubois.ch/wp-content/u...
Happy to be back at the University of Padua already (albeit remotely) to talk about the history of state terror for their DSPGI’s Permanent Seminar on International Politics.
November 15, 2023 at 11:39 AM
Happy to be back at the University of Padua already (albeit remotely) to talk about the history of state terror for their DSPGI’s Permanent Seminar on International Politics.
Happy to be back and representing CSTPV at the fourth edition of the University of Padua’s Fall School on “Memory & Oblivion: Political Violence and Organised Crime” to continue our cooperation on studying terrorism, international politics and security
November 7, 2023 at 8:18 PM
Happy to be back and representing CSTPV at the fourth edition of the University of Padua’s Fall School on “Memory & Oblivion: Political Violence and Organised Crime” to continue our cooperation on studying terrorism, international politics and security