Photo: David Ausserhofer
Berlin Foreign Policy Forum 2026
The world has never been more interconnected, nor more at risk of falling apart. Profound geopolitical shifts, accelerating technological change, and mounting economic pressures are reshaping the international order in an era of uncertainty and urgency. Wars from the Middle East to Ukraine are unfolding alongside rising domestic polarization across Europe and beyond, undermining the multilateral institutions that were built to contain them. Power politics is gaining ground, while trust is eroding. These pressures are testing the resilience of states and putting societies under strain. The promise of progress is slowing as Germany and Europe confront a world shaped by stark dualities: diversifying partnerships while keeping established lines of communication open; managing competition without abandoning cooperation; navigating between established commitments and emerging alignments. In this environment, credibility is a currency, hard to earn and easily lost. Interdependence persists, but the space for constructive exchange is shrinking. Sustaining dialogue grows harder precisely as it grows more urgent.