Germany is right to rearm. But Europe has well-founded fears about that
Berlin’s allies are right to be wary of a sudden surge in German military spending that shuns cooperation with them
TL;DR
- Germany's surge in military spending is causing concern among its European neighbors.
- Historian Liana Fix warns of the risks of Germany becoming a "hegemon" and urges closer European defense integration.
- Chancellor Merz's government is prioritizing national and U.S. arms industries over European cooperation.
- Old anxieties are reignited by doubts over U.S. commitment to NATO and the rise of the far-right AfD party.
- Fix advocates for joint European defense bonds and integration of the Bundeswehr into European armed forces.
- Despite commitments to NATO and aid to Ukraine, Germany's defense industrial nationalism mirrors that of France and the UK.
- The article suggests it's more practical for Germany to help equip its neighbors to intercept threats before they reach Germany.
- Reassurance of neighbors and embedding rearmament in common European structures are crucial due to Germany's history and central location.
- The "German question" of dominance and balance may resurface, especially if the AfD gains more political ground.