As Russian aggression continues and Trump’s US threatens NATO, it is even more vital for a unified defence of the continent.
Timothy Garton Ash Professor of European Studies, University of Oxford
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As a german: I really am not sure if I want to embed our Bundeswehr into a Europe where Marie LePen might become the head of France, where fascist Melony is ruling Italy and so on.
As a Dane, I do want strong militaries, because given what’s happening in Greenland right now we may need to show more strength towards the US… Not to mention Russia and China.
As a French citizen (dual citizen), I am ashamed that LePen is even in consideration for president. We need to work against the billionaires essentially buying fascists into power for their own gains.
I am more concerned that our current government plays into the hands of the AfD while increasing military. If the AfD comes into power, they get a large military
Well, tough luck. Germany only has alliance military forces based on your constitution.
And having a military that can actually protect our allies fulfilling exactly that role.
Has every single one of those people loudly lamenting the rise of German military power spend the cold war (or alternatively every history class) unconcious?
Germany had the 2nd biggest military in NATO, far biggest one in Europe for decades… firmly embedded in European defense strategy via said NATO.
Had. Now it is like the sixth or seventh after US, Poland, Turkey, France, UK.
I thought US left NATO?
They did not. How committed they are to actually honouring the alliance is a different question.
Last time Germany had a military power, they tried, and partially succeeded, to firmly embed it in Europe.
Last time? True, Western Germany was a super powerful military embedded in western Europe. Maybe that’s why the Soviets never attacked.
Just in time to be on the erong side of history again.