Tag Archives: Defense

German of the day: Alleingang

August 9, 2025 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, History, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means going it alone.

A major pillar of German international policy is to regularly stress how Germany will never again “go it alone.” German politicians then promptly demonstrate the importance of this strategy by going it alone once again.

Germany halts arms exports that Israel can use in Gaza – Germany is to suspend exports of weaponry that could be used in the Gaza Stripbecause of Israel’s plan to expand its operations there – the first time united Germany has acknowledged denying military support to its long-time ally.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s sudden about-turn on Friday followed mounting pressure from the public and his junior coalition partner over the manmade humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel has severely restricted supplies of food and water.

You can pump in all the money you want

August 6, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Into defense.

What difference does it make if nobody is interested in defense?

Few Germans willing to take up arms to defend country, survey shows – Nearly 60% of Germans say they are not prepared to defend their homeland with weapons if Germany were attacked militarily.

Only 16% of Germans would “definitely” be willing to defend their country with weapons in case of a military attack, according to a new poll released Monday.

The Forsa Institute survey revealed widespread reluctance among Germans toward military engagement, despite repeated warnings from political and military leaders that the country should prepare for a potential armed conflict.

A clear majority—59%—indicated they would “probably not” or “definitely not” be prepared to defend Germany militarily if attacked. Among women, this reluctance was even higher at 72%.

German of the day: Anstieg

August 2, 2025 By in Hard Facts Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means surge.

German armed forces see 28% surge in recruits in NATO defence boost – Germany’s armed forces reported a 28% surge in soldier recruits from January to late July, compared with the same period last year, bolstering plans to boost NATO defences in response to what it sees as an increased threat from Russia.

The Defence Ministry said on Thursday more than 13,700 people had joined the Bundeswehr – the army, air force, navy and other forces – in that period, in what it said was the steepest rise for years.

German of the day: Trittbrettfahrer

July 18, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Home Cooking, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

That means freeloader.

Or free rider, if you prefer.

Germany’s Merz tells BBC Europe was free-riding on US – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has accepted US accusations that Europe was doing too little to fund its own defence and security, but now believes they are on the same page.

“We know we have to do more on our own and we have been free-riders in the past,” he told the BBC’s Today Programme, “they’re asking us to do more and we are doing more.”

German of the day: Skynex

July 12, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Hi-tech, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means drone killer.

Germany’s Drone Killer in Action: Ukraine Deploys Skynex to Destroy 7 Russian Shaheds Overnight – The Ukrainian Air Force has released footage showcasing the successful operation of the German-made Skynex air defense system against Russian Shahed-type loitering munitions.

According to Ukraine’s Air Force Command on July 12, the Rheinmetall-developed Skynex anti-aircraft artillery complex has demonstrated consistent effectiveness in intercepting enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The time and location of the intercepts were not disclosed, but officials confirmed the system’s performance has met operational expectations.

If only the UK, Norway and Germany could learn to live in peace…

July 1, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Hi-tech Tags: , , , Leave a comment

What a wonderful world it would be.

Royal Navy Submarine Hunters Challenge Norwegians and Germans in Fjord Showdown – Exercise Green Eel tests cutting-edge anti-submarine warfare tactics in Norway’s challenging waters.

For two weeks, Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 helicopters from the United Kingdom took on Norwegian and German submarines in a complex underwater intelligence battle in Norway’s fjords. The mission was part of the international exercise Green Eel, which brought together naval forces from the UK, Norway, and Germany.

German of the day: Dom

June 29, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hi-tech, History, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

That means cathedral.

Dome, on the hand, means dome.

Germany seeks Israeli partnership on cyber defence – Germany is aiming to establish a joint German-Israeli cyber research centre and deepen collaboration between the two countries’ intelligence and security agencies, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said…

According to Bild, Dobrindt outlined a five-point plan aimed at establishing what he called a “Cyber Dome”, as part of Germany’s cyber defence strategy.

Earlier on Sunday, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soeder called for the acquisition of 2,000 interceptor missiles to equip Germany with an “Iron Dome” system similar to Israel’s short-range missile defence technology.

Hold your horses there, Germany

June 25, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

First the army. Then you can have the nukes.

Most Germans want Europe to have its own nuclear umbrella, poll finds – Nearly two-thirds of Germans support a European nuclear deterrent independent of the United States, according to a new poll released Monday, marking a dramatic shift in public opinion amid growing concerns about American commitment.

The survey found 64% of Germans back the concept of a European nuclear umbrella that doesn’t rely on Washington, with support spanning age groups, regions, and political parties — an unusual consensus in German policy debates.

German of the day: Veteranentag

June 14, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, History Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means Veterans Day.

Germany’s first since, well, ever. Breaking taboos is hard to do.

Germany will hold its first celebration of veterans since the second world war on Sunday, as the nation recalibrates its complex relationship with the armed forces in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Germany breaks taboo with first celebration of veterans since second world war

Russian aggression in Ukraine has helped drive a historic shift in attitudes towards military.

Defence minister Boris Pistorius will join current and former soldiers and members of the public taking part in a day of events across the country — including at a “veterans’ village” constructed in front of the Reichstag in Berlin.

It marks a historic shift in a nation where anything that could be viewed as a display of militarism was for years seen as taboo.

German of the day: Kleine grüne Männchen

June 10, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means little green men.

Russia could send “little green men” to test NATO’s resolve, German intelligence boss warns – Russia is determined to test the resolve of the NATO alliance, including by extending its confrontation with the West beyond the borders of Ukraine, the Germany’s foreign intelligence chief told the Table Media news organization.

Bruno Kahl, head of the Federal Intelligence Service, said his agency had clear intelligence indications that Russian officials believed the collective defence obligations enshrined in the NATO treaty no longer had practical force…

Without detailing the nature of his intelligence sources, Kahl said Russian officials were envisaging confrontations that fell short of a full military engagement that would test whether the U.S. would really live up to its mutual aid obligations under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

“They don’t need to dispatch armies of tanks for that,” he said. “It’s enough to send little green men to Estonia to protect supposedly oppressed Russian minorities.”