Germany Is No Longer Reluctant to Be a Leading Military Power

Germany is no longer reluctant to be a leading military power

Merz and Zelensky in Berlin (via Alamy/ 3BE9DND)In another era, the Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said, “I fear German power less than German inaction”. That was 2011. In this new era, created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sikorski is back as Foreign Minister, and German military power is re-emerging onto the European stage.Berlin has used its economic heft for decades, but since the end of the Second World War has been reluctant …

Germany's economy has been weakening for years. Only one thing helps: more work! At least that's what Chancellor Friedrich Merz says. Is that really that simple? Or are we actually missing people? The economy Ulrike Malmendier talks to Hart but fair moderator Louis Klamroth about the lack of work and skilled workers in Germany.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently said that he wanted to make the Bundeswehr the most conventionally powerful army in Europe. Regardless of whether this would be desirable, the question arises: Does that matter at all? Experts agree: The challenge is gigantic.