Germany Must Show Strength
Published in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
(Germany) on 26 January 2026
by Reinhard Müller (link to
original)
The country has the potential. What’s still missing is a convincing message: fundamental trust demonstrated through word and deed.
There is something encouraging about the United States’ new defense strategy. Americans are well known for focusing on their homeland and the backyard it claims, and expects Europe to do the same thing and stick to their own continent. Russia, however, is not considered capable of dominating Europe; the German economy alone far exceeds that of Russia.
One shouldn’t be misled by the Kremlin’s hybrid warfare tactics, including those against Germany. We’ve become accustomed to Donald Trump’s embarrassing outbursts against the allies who fought and suffered alongside America in Afghanistan..
Outrage Is Not Enough
But it’s just not enough to express outrage and honor the nondeterminative deployment of the German Armed Forces in Afghanistan. Germany in particular has not only the human and economic resources but also the innovative capacity to defend itself, and with its European partners, can effectively deter an attack on the alliance –- and more. But this requires more than just additional material efforts.
The country must send a convincing message as Canada and also Finland have recently managed to do. A fundamental trust in its natural strength, demonstrated in both word and deed. This is something that can still be developed and is necessary to maintain peace and freedom. As far as that is concerned, America can no longer lead, anyway.
There is something encouraging about the United States’ new defense strategy. Americans are well known for focusing on their homeland and the backyard it claims, and expects Europe to do the same thing and stick to their own continent. Russia, however, is not considered capable of dominating Europe; the German economy alone far exceeds that of Russia.
One shouldn’t be misled by the Kremlin’s hybrid warfare tactics, including those against Germany. We’ve become accustomed to Donald Trump’s embarrassing outbursts against the allies who fought and suffered alongside America in Afghanistan..
Outrage Is Not Enough
But it’s just not enough to express outrage and honor the nondeterminative deployment of the German Armed Forces in Afghanistan. Germany in particular has not only the human and economic resources but also the innovative capacity to defend itself, and with its European partners, can effectively deter an attack on the alliance –- and more. But this requires more than just additional material efforts.
The country must send a convincing message as Canada and also Finland have recently managed to do. A fundamental trust in its natural strength, demonstrated in both word and deed. This is something that can still be developed and is necessary to maintain peace and freedom. As far as that is concerned, America can no longer lead, anyway.
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