The Arab Spring has not only affected the well-established structures in the Middle East and
North Africa (MENA) but became also a touchstone for the German and French foreign policy. A
lasting three-year transformation process turned out to be an unpredictable factor for the
traditional German and French foreign policy principles within a novel geopolitical
environment. In this respect this study deals with the comparative foreign policy analysis of
Germany and France with regard to the transformations in the MENA since 2011. Analaysis is done
on the basis of constructivist role theory in connection with the Civilian Power concept. Major
interest of this study is dedicated to the analysis of the foreign policy repertoire and
identity of Germany and France towards the transition countries in North Africa. A question is
to be answered if the challenges provoke continuity or change.
