Constanze Stelzenmüller

[The AfD's] sheer existence makes two-way coalitions on the national level almost impossible. We are looking at the possibility of protracted coalition negotiations and an inward-looking German capital at a time when I would argue German responsibility in Europe is urgently needed. That is one significant impact the AfD has, whether it is in the opposition or not.

[Merkel's] careful incrementalism [...has seen Germany through several crises, but it increasingly appears inadequate to the current challenges... Her] exquisitely tempered balancing style was fantastic for brokering results at European conferences. It’s clearly not the best approach when you are dealing with aggressive authoritarian powers, and she has clearly not given enough thought to preparing Germany for a much more disruptive future. [...] The absence of a leader as experienced, resourceful and well-networked as Angela Merkel will make itself felt in times of disruption and insecurity.

We’re not islands. The decisions of our allies have consequences for their allies. You get this impression that people are making policy into a void when there should be coordination. [...] What people will overlook is that an entire generation of western practitioners [including military officers, diplomats, intelligence officials and journalists] went through Afghanistan. This is NATO’s most legitimate mission, the one that was most central to our understanding of ourselves.