opinion
The attack on Ukraine makes it clear that war can suddenly be just around the corner. If Germany wants to be taken seriously as part of NATO, it must at least be able to defend itself in an emergency.
“The Bundeswehr, the army that I am allowed to lead, is more or less blank”, , Inspector of the Bundeswehr Army on Linkedin. The surprise should be limited. But the fact that Germany’s top army soldier of the Bundeswehr publicly attests such a catastrophic situation deserves at least the rating “unusual”.
The state of affairs in the Bundeswehr has repeatedly made people shake their heads and laugh. At best, the defensiveness of one of the largest industrial nations in the world should offer little comedy potential – especially in the current situation.
Germany must live up to its role – also militarily
As a leading NATO member, as part of the G7, as one of the largest economies in the world, Germany bears a responsibility. A responsibility to protect partners who are unable to do so themselves. But the truth is: Germany cannot help Ukraine militarily, even if it wanted to. It could not even help itself should it come to the end. This is also not to say that (hard) sanctions are ineffective. But they are more of a medium to long-term solution to acute problems. In short: it’s time to upgrade.
And no: This is not a demand to pull up the Iron Curtain again. It’s about coming of age as a nation and opening your eyes to reality. Because there will come a time when the West will have to resume talks with Russia – most likely after the fall of Ukraine.
Of course, even the most powerful military alliance is no guarantee of peace. But it can force an aggressor like Putin to listen. Or, as ex-Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer put it amazingly aptly: “We have forgotten the lesson of Schmidt and Kohl that negotiations always have priority, but you have to be militarily strong enough that non-negotiation is not an option for the other side .” she is right. In the future, Germany will not be able to run to Mama USA like a crying child who has been pushed over in the sandbox every time things get dicey. If the Federal Republic wants to play its part on the geopolitical stage and be taken seriously as part of NATO, it must be able to play its part in an emergency – also militarily.
Germany exports weapons at record levels
The United States has long been calling on Germany to live up to its role in NATO and increase defense spending to two percent of gross domestic product. This has nothing to do with warmongering, but with gaining political credibility and fulfilling one’s own commitments.
The Federal Republic has no problem with weapons as such – as long as the trigger is pulled somewhere else. In 2021 alone, the Federal Ministry of Economics exported armaments worth – a new record. At the same time, some of Lithuania’s own soldiers don’t even have enough underwear.
If you want peace, you have to show strength. This is the world we live in. As bitter as it may be.
Source: Stern
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