Germany Needs a Global Role to Suit Its Size
Rebuilding the country’s military would be just the start.
Give the Bundeswehr a boost.
Photographer: Johannes Simon/Getty Images
When U.S. Vice President Mike Pence declared in a speech marking NATO’s 70th anniversary that “too many” alliance members have failed to increase spending on their militaries, he singled out one by name. “Germany must do more,” he said, adding that “it is simply unacceptable for Europe’s largest economy to … neglect its own self-defense and our common defense at such a level.”
The broadside was hardly unexpected: The Trump administration has made a habit of deriding America’s European allies as free riders. The complaints are overdone, but not entirely wrong. Rather than bristle, Germany’s leaders should take up the challenge — and assume global responsibilities commensurate with the country’s economic strength. This would be good for Europe, and for Germany.