The transatlantic relationship is entering its most decisive decade since World War II – a period that will shape its ability to remain prosperous, and influential. Geopolitical shifts, climate shocks and fragile supply chains are putting pressure on governments to anticipate crises before they unfold. At the same time, changing political dynamics are testing the strength of the partnership between Europe and the United States, eroding long-held assumptions about shared priorities and strategy. 

In this context, Germany’s approach to national security and foresight has taken on new urgency. The creation of the National Security Council (NSR) in August 2025 marks a turning point in how the federal government prepares for and responds to global risks. Yet key questions remain: How resilient is Germany to the complex, transnational crises ahead? Can it shift from reactive crisis management toward proactive strategic planning?  

Building on the spirit of our 2017 Aspen Insight project – an anticipatory look at the headlines of 2025 – Aspen Germany invited experts from politics, foresight research, and civil society to examine how Germany can strengthen its strategic foresight and crisis resilience for the decade to come. This virtual panel discussion took place in English on October 22, 2025. The Aspen team kindly thanks the speakers of the event: Dr. Benedikt Franke, Deputy Chairman and CEO of the Munich Security Conference, Dr. Oliver Gnad, Managing Director at the Bureau für Zeitgeschehen, Anja Wehler-Schöck, Member of the Editorial Board and International Editor at the Tagesspiegel, and Dr. Joseph Verbovszky, Co-Director – German Wargaming Center and Research Fellow – Defense AI Observatory.