The President’s Inbox Germany's Rearmament, With Sophia Besch
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Apr 1, 2025 Sophia Besch, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, discusses Germany's significant rearmament as Europe faces new security challenges. She highlights the shifting public sentiment toward military readiness and how recent elections reflect changing priorities. The impact of U.S. policies on German politics and defense spending is examined, revealing a newfound commitment to increasing military budget beyond traditional limits. Besch emphasizes the need for a united European defense strategy amidst growing geopolitical tensions.
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Germany's Zeitenwende 2
- Germany's Zeitenwende, a paradigm shift in defense policy, now includes doubts about U.S. commitment.
- This "Zeitenwende 2" signifies a profound change in German security outlook.
Shifting German Public Opinion
- German public opinion has shifted significantly regarding defense, normalizing rearmament.
- This cultural shift is evident in actions like Rheinmetall sponsoring a football club.
German Elections and Defense
- The German election campaign was inward-looking, focused on the economy and migration, not defense.
- Mertz's post-election statements on the U.S. and NATO surprised many.