Ukraine Ignites German Fighting Spirit
By Kris Osborn - President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven
Hello and welcome to Warrior Maven, the Center for Military Modernization.
Obviously a very serious situation unfolding in the world getting more and more dire.
We have some very important perspective today from a distinguished American, retired General Ben Hodges. He is the former Commander of US Army Europe. So obviously knows a lot about these kinds of dynamics. So thank you for joining us, sir.
Kris Osborn - Warrior Maven
So what's your estimation of an apparent German shift in foreign policy there was an interesting essay from a guy at Johns Hopkins, who was the chair of their German German Studies Department about how Germany appears to be doing a massive or seismic shift in their stance. The Chancellor reportedly talked about funneling money into defense almost immediately. And then secondly, sending Stinger anti aircraft missiles, which we all know have, have a history in an effectiveness.
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Numerous people demonstrate with signs and flags on Wilhelmsplatz in Stuttgart, Germany, against Russia's military deployment in Ukraine on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. (Christoph Schmidt/dpa via AP)
General Ben Hodges
This is very welcome news from our ally, Germany, that they are going to start catching up on the defense investment that they need to do as well as more immediately enable the provision of air defense weapons and other weapons to Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivers a speech on the Russian invasion of Ukraine during a meeting of the Bundestag — the German parliament — in Berlin on February 27. Hannibal Hanschke/Getty Images
But they still has to vote and approve this plan to increase the defense spending. And I think the Germans are still wrestling with this. I mean, that was a huge step by the German Chancellor.
But I mean, they haven't got their heart in it yet. So this is going to be important over the next few weeks, that courageous leadership inside the German political elites. Otherwise, Germany ends up losing its credibility that it's earned over the last 80 years as a champion of European values. If they don't, in a meaningful way, step forward and accept responsibility and lead.
Kris Osborn, Warrior Maven President, Center for Military Modernization
