Inside Germany's big UN defeat | Berlin Briefing Podcast

Key points· Video

• Germany just suffered one of its biggest diplomatic setbacks in decades: losing a UN Security Council seat it thought was practically guaranteed.
• In this episode of Berlin Briefing, host Nina Haase and her guests, DW's Max Hofmann and UN expert Myriel Marthez, take you inside the vote, inside the backroom diplomacy, and inside the reasons Germany’s campaign collapsed.
• From Russia’s quiet lobbying to Germany’s stance on Israel and Gaza, from late‑stage ‘speed‑dating diplomacy’ to Austria’s years‑long charm offensive — this is the story of how a global heavyweight got outplayed.
• Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:33 The vote 04:02 Secret ballot 06:12 Five key reasons for Germany’s loss 08:30 Structural timing problem 11:05 Russia’s role 13:35 Israel policy 14:45 Johann Wadephul 16:30 Missed diplomacy signals 17:45 Importance of personal diplomacy at the UN 19:30 International law criticism 23:20 Funding vs influence 25:30 Was Germany overconfident?
• 30:20 Lessons learned 33:30 What Germany should...