Konrad Adenauer at 150 – Still Leaning Westward?'

2026 marks what would have been the 150th birthday of Konrad Adenauer, West Germany’s first post-WWII chancellor. Against today’s shifting geopolitical landscape, the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation Nordic countries, together with Den norske Atlanterhavskomité and distinguished experts in this realm explored Adenauer’s concept of 'Westbindung' — the strategic anchoring of post-war West Germany within Western political, economic and security structures. Westbindung was more than just a foreign policy choice; it represented a long-term vision for stability, democratic consolidation and international rehabilitation through deep transatlantic and European integration. During a public morning seminar, and a closed door round table we examined Germany’s role in transatlantic (security) relations, the past, present and future. Discussions focused around in how far Germany can and should assume a stronger leadership role within Europe by acting as a “unifying force” among member states, promoting EU-level investment initiatives, strengthening cooperation among Europe’s largest economies, and supporting projects such as ReArm Europe. Sustaining European cohesion and unity may not only enhance the EU’s collective resilience but also help Germany mitigate the consequences of increasingly fragile transatlantic relations. In this sense, Germany’s pursuit of the “Zeitenwende” is increasingly intertwined with broader efforts to strengthen Europe’s capacity to respond to geopolitical challenges with greater unity and autonomy. The discussions situated Westbindung in its historical context, examining its relevance in an era of strategic uncertainty and addressing debates on European autonomy, NATO cohesion and the future of the transatlantic partnership. The events explored whether Adenauer’s visionary model remains viable for Europe in particular, or if it requires reinterpretation in a multipolar world. It will also consider what the model can offer in terms of sovereignty, security, and alliance politics today. On June, 4 in Oslo, we were fortunate to be joined by distinguished experts from Germany who shared valuable insights and perspectives. These included Dr. Patrick Keller, Deputy Research Director and Head of the Center for Security and Defense at German Council on Foreign Relations, and Dr. Laura von Daniels, Senior Analyst at Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP). Robin Allers, Associate Professor at the Norwegian Defence University College (Forsvarets høgskole (FHS)), contributed to both the breakfast seminar and the roundtable discussion. Karsten Friis, Research Professor at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (Norsk Utenrikspolitisk Institutt (NUPI)), also shared his perspectives with participants during the roundtable. Representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister, and academia took part in engaging discussions on Germany’s role in strengthening European security and on German–Norwegian defence cooperation. Throughout the day, the discussions were moderated by Kate Hansen Bundt, Secretary General of The Norwegian Atlantic Committee.