Today in Focus Why Germany is racing to rebuild its army
21 snips
Jan 26, 2026 Kate Connolly, Berlin correspondent for The Guardian, explains Germany’s dramatic shift from postwar pacifism to large-scale rearmament. She outlines the scale of spending, why Russia’s 2022 invasion forced a rethink, and how public unease, recruitment drives and procurement choices are reshaping German defence and politics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Zeitenwende: A Shift From Pacifism
- The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine forced Germany to abandon long-standing pacifist restraint.
- Germany now views a robust military as necessary responsibility, not optional posture.
Logistics As Strategic Power
- Germany plans major logistical upgrades to serve as a transit hub for NATO forces.
- Investments target bridges, roads and transport to enable heavy military movement across Europe.
From Helmets To Heavy Arms
- Germany moved from sending helmets to becoming Europe's largest weapons supplier to Ukraine.
- That change shows rapid modernization and a growing willingness to arm partners materially.