Chancellor Merz: Germany should have the biggest army in Europe
The Washington TimesTuesday, May 20, 2025 at 9:07:53 PM
** Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, just dropped a big statement: the country is considering boosting military spending to 5% of GDP, a move that could make its armed forces the largest in Europe. This echoes past demands from Trump for NATO allies to spend more on defense—but now, Germany seems to be taking the idea seriously.
What This Means: ** Germany’s been cautious about military expansion for decades, given its history, so this shift is a big deal. If it happens, it could reshape Europe’s security landscape—especially with Russia’s war in Ukraine fueling defense debates. It also signals Germany’s willingness to step up as a major player in NATO, which could either reassure allies or rattle neighbors wary of a more militarized Berlin.
— Curated via WP Now’s AI editorial system
