Germany Rearms as Russian Threat Mounts

_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has repeatedly proclaimed his plan to modernize and expand Germany’s previously ailing military. His recent moves include buying advanced Israeli weapons, retooling civilian factories for arms production, and pouring hundreds of billions of euros into the military.

Despite these actions, German defense spending remains relatively low, and military service remains unpopular among German youths.

Germany — and many other NATO members — view Russia’s war in Ukraine as just the beginning of its new military conquest, potentially even seeking to bring the former Soviet bloc back together under Russian rule.