Can Germany build Europe’s strongest military – and should it? | News Desk

Germany's new chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to build the "strongest conventional army in Europe", and plans to unlock billions of euros to transform the military. It's a major pivot, taking Germany from a culture of strategic restraint to a state of war-readiness. But is Europe ready for a bulked-up Bundeswehr? And can Germany's armed forces overcome decades of neglect and solve its recruitment crisis? This week's panel: Alex Forrest Whiting Michelle Stockman Dustin Hemmerlein Guests: Katja Hoyer, Historian & Journalist Patrick Sensburg, Defense analyst, Bundeswehr Reservist President Chapters: 0:00 Topic and intro 5:56 Origins of Bundeswehr 11:20 Right-wing extremism in German military 13:25 What is German military fighting for? 17:30 Public support for arming Germany 22:30 Ukraine as 'turning point' for Germany 26:40 Military service - pros & cons 34:30 Chat check 36:40 The Bundeswehr Reserve 41:00 NATO expectations for Germany 44:22 Reintroducing conscription? 49:10 Recruitment efforts 56:01 Germany's 'war-readiness' 1:02:45 Military's appeal for young people 1:11:00 Wrap and poll result #Bundeswehr #GermanMilitary #NewsDesk For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/ Follow DW on social media: ►Instagram:   / dwnews   ►TikTok:   / dwnews   ►Facebook:   / deutschewellenews   ►Twitter:   / dwnews   Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie:    / dwdeutsch   Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutsche...