Germany decides to leave history in the past and prepare for war

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions and concerns over Russian aggression, Germany has undertaken a significant shift in its defense policy, opting for a substantial increase in military spending. This decision marks a historic turning point for the nation, prompting a re-evaluation of its post-World War II stance on military strength. Recent military exercises serve as a stark reminder of the renewed focus on national security, with reverberations felt even in quiet towns like Munster, accustomed to the sounds of drills.

The German parliament recently approved a massive surge in investment for the Bundeswehr, the country’s armed forces. This financial boost comes after lawmakers voted to suspend stringent debt regulations concerning defense spending.

According to Germany’s highest-ranking general, this cash injection is urgently required. He asserts that Russian expansionism is unlikely to be limited to Ukraine, necessitating robust defense capabilities.

“Russia poses a threat to us. Putin poses a threat,” General Carsten Breuer stated in a recent interview. “We must undertake every necessary measure to deter this threat.” He cautioned that NATO should anticipate a potential attack within the next four years.

The defense chief emphasized the urgency, stating, “It is not a question of how much time I require, but rather how much time Putin grants us to prepare. The sooner we achieve preparedness, the better.”

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has triggered a profound re-evaluation of strategic thinking within Germany.

For decades, a culture of military aversion has been cultivated in Germany, deeply rooted in the nation’s historical role as an aggressor in European conflicts.

Markus Ziener of the German Marshall Fund in Berlin explains, “Germany initiated two world wars. Despite the passage of 80 years since the conclusion of World War Two, the notion that Germany should abstain from conflict remains deeply ingrained in the psyche of many citizens.”

Even amidst the evolving security landscape, some factions remain apprehensive about actions perceived as militaristic. Historically, the armed forces have suffered from chronic underfunding.

“Certain voices are expressing caution, questioning the validity of our threat perception and whether we are pursuing the correct course,” notes Ziener.

Germany’s approach to Russia has been distinct. While nations like Poland and the Baltic States cautioned against close ties with Moscow and increased their own defense spending, Berlin, under former Chancellor Angela Merkel, prioritized economic engagement.

Germany operated under the assumption that democratization could be fostered through economic exchange. However, Russia exploited these economic benefits while proceeding to invade Ukraine.

In February 2022, a shocked Chancellor Olaf Scholz proclaimed a national paradigm shift, a “Zeitenwende,” committing a substantial €100 billion to fortify the nation’s military and deter “warmongers like Putin.” However, General Breuer contends that this initial response was insufficient.

“We marginally addressed the deficiencies,” he recounts. “But the underlying situation remains dire.”

In contrast, General Breuer points to substantial Russian spending on armaments and supplies for both stockpiles and frontline operations in Ukraine.

He further highlights Russia’s employment of hybrid warfare tactics, encompassing cyber attacks, sabotage, and the appearance of unidentified drones over German military installations.

Coupled with Vladimir Putin’s belligerent rhetoric, General Breuer perceives “a genuinely perilous combination.”

“Distinct from the Western perspective, Russia does not adhere to rigid categorizations. They do not compartmentalize peacetime and war; rather, they operate along a continuum, initiating with hybrid actions, then escalating, then de-escalating. This approach leads me to believe we confront a tangible threat.”

He insists on the necessity for swift action from Germany.

The defense chief’s bleak assessment regarding the current readiness of his forces aligns with conclusions drawn in a recent parliamentary report. The Bundeswehr, the report stated, is “deficient in every aspect.”

Eva Högl, the armed forces commissioner and author of the report, revealed critical shortages spanning from munitions to personnel, and extending to the dilapidated state of barracks. Renovation requirements alone were estimated at approximately €67 billion.

General Breuer suggests that lifting the debt ceiling, thereby enabling the military to accrue debt—theoretically without restrictions—will furnish a “consistent stream” of funding to initiate the process of addressing these deficiencies.

Friedrich Merz, Scholz’s anticipated successor, spearheaded this landmark decision with notable haste, raising some questions. He presented the proposal to parliament immediately before its dissolution following the February elections.

The newly constituted parliament, incorporating a left-wing faction skeptical of militarism and a far-right contingent sympathetic to Russia, might have exhibited less receptiveness to the measure.

However, the “turnaround” initiated by Germany in 2022 has gained renewed momentum this year.

A recent YouGov survey indicated that 79% of Germans continue to perceive Vladimir Putin as “very” or “quite” dangerous to European peace and security.

Concurrently, 74% expressed similar sentiments regarding Donald Trump.

This survey followed a speech delivered in Munich by Vice President JD Vance, in which he criticized Europe and its values.

Markus Ziener observes, “This constituted a clear signal indicating a fundamental shift in the United States.”

“The future trajectory of the US remains uncertain, but the conviction that we can unequivocally rely on American protection for our security—that trust has now eroded.”

In Berlin, the traditionally cautious German attitude toward military matters appears to be rapidly diminishing.

Eighteen-year-old Charlotte Kreft acknowledges that her own pacifist viewpoints have evolved.

“For an extended period, we believed that the sole means of atonement for the atrocities committed during World War Two was to prevent its recurrence…and we believed that demilitarization was essential,” Charlotte explains.

“However, we now confront a situation in which we must defend our values, democracy, and freedom. Adaptation is imperative.”

Ludwig Stein concurs, “Numerous Germans continue to harbor reservations regarding substantial investments in our military. Yet, in light of recent global events, there appears to be no viable alternative.”

Sophie, a young mother, recognizes the present “necessity” of defense investment in the current global climate.

However, Germany requires personnel in addition to equipment, and Sophie expresses considerably less enthusiasm for the prospect of her own son’s conscription.

The Bundeswehr operates a solitary permanent recruitment center, a modest facility situated between a pharmacy and a shoe store near Berlin’s Friedrichstrasse station.

Featuring camouflage-clad mannequins and slogans such as “cool and spicy,” the center aims to attract potential recruits, yet it only receives a limited number of inquiries daily.

Germany has already failed to meet its objective of augmenting its ranks by 20,000 soldiers, reaching a total of 203,000, and reducing the average age below 34.

However, General Breuer’s aspirations are far more ambitious.

He conveyed that Germany requires an additional 100,000 troops to adequately defend itself and NATO’s eastern flank—amounting to a total of 460,000 personnel, including reserves. Consequently, he asserts that a reinstatement of military service is “absolutely” indispensable.

“Achieving this increase of 100,000 personnel necessitates some form of conscription model,” the general stated.

“The specific model to achieve this is secondary. My priority is simply securing the required soldiers.”

This debate is still in its nascent stages.

General Breuer is demonstrably positioning himself at the forefront of efforts to accelerate and expand Germany’s “turnaround.”

With his approachable and engaging demeanor, he frequently visits regional town halls, posing a direct question to audiences: “Are you prepared for war?”

He recounts an instance where a woman accused him of instilling fear. “I responded, ‘I am not the source of fear; it is the other individual!'” referring to Vladimir Putin.

The dual “wake-up call”—comprising the Russian threat and a detached, isolationist United States—is now resonating powerfully within Germany, the general contends, and cannot be disregarded.

“The imperative for change is now apparent to each and every one of us.”