Is a Pro-Active Germany the best for Europe

[Aepsilons]

In 1956, the Allies tentatively allowed West Germany to establish a military on the condition that forces stayed at home unless the German public could be convinced to back neutral peacekeeping or humanitarian missions. Today Germany has the fourth largest army in the world, which takes part in NATO and U.N. peacekeeping missions. However, Western capitals regularly complain that German foreign engagement does not match its economic clout. The issue is not constitutional, it is one of public opinion. Foreign engagement led to two world wars which destroyed Germany. Successive German governments have seen no reason to increase military spending, especially with a public so shy of engaging on the international stage. This should , this must change.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Russia can still overwhelm the entire Europe, so it is pretty much useless for Germany to re-arm itself.

It is better for Germany to focus on the civilian than on the military.

 

[Aepsilons]

Russia can still overwhelm the entire Europe, so it is pretty much useless for Germany to re-arm itself.

It is better for Germany to focus on the civilian than on the military.

Germany has the capability to churn out tanks en masse, the German industry dwarfs Russia's by any margin. And at 80 million strong, she (Germany) is the largest (most populous) nation in Europe. Anyways, Germans have ever been associated with military excellence.

Afterall, we are referring to the Legacy of the Prussian Empire.

 

[Gabriel92]

The two world wars cost Germany million lives and more than a third of its pre 1914 land area. The allies in 1945 destroyed all vestiges of militarism to ensure that Germany would no longer pose any threat to the rest of Europe. In the circumstances I respect modern Germany's right to its non militaristic culture but considering the current threats that Europe faces,they should make a larger financial contribution to NATO and their army ! (using broomsticks in an exercise...),They should participate in operations with their allies,actually,it is France that is acting the most in Europe,nobody helps us,financially etc... where are the British ? Where are the German ? We should be united and fight all threats against the EU,because if you don't fight them outside our territories,you'll have soon to fight them in your territory.
This time Germany has has the resources, technology, manufacturing ability to build one of the the most powerful militaries on earth. The only thing they lack is the will....

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Germany has the capability to churn out tanks en masse, the German industry dwarfs Russia's by any margin. And at 80 million strong, she (Germany) is the largest (most populous) nation in Europe. Anyways, Germans have ever been associated with military excellence.

Afterall, we are referring to the Legacy of the Prussian Empire.

The modern warfare is not only about the tanks.

When there is a gain, then there will be a sacrifice.

To sacrifice your living standard and the civilian quality just for the re-armament is not worthy.

Since you are not USA, what is the point to challenge those great powers like Russia and China?

 

[Aepsilons]

The two world wars cost Germany million lives and more than a third of its pre 1914 land area. The allies in 1945 destroyed all vestiges of militarism to ensure that Germany would no longer pose any threat to the rest of Europe. In the circumstances I respect modern Germany's right to its non militaristic culture but considering the current threats that Europe faces,they should make a larger financial contribution to NATO and their army ! (using broomsticks in an exercise...),They should participate in operations with their allies,actually,it is France that is acting the most in Europe,nobody helps us,financially etc... where are the British ? Where are the German ? We should be united and fight all threats against the EU,because if you don't fight them outside your territories,you'll have soon to fight them in your territory.
This time Germany has has the resources, technology, manufacturing ability to build one of the the most powerful militaries on earth. The only thing they lack is the will....

Agreed 100%. There should be a common front in regards to France, Germany and Britain in facing the the threat from the East and extremism from within and outside.

 

[1000]

Germany has the capability to churn out tanks en masse, the German industry dwarfs Russia's by any margin. And at 80 million strong, she (Germany) is the largest (most populous) nation in Europe. Anyways, Germans have ever been associated with military excellence.

Afterall, we are referring to the Legacy of the Prussian Empire.

They'd need to return conscription to achieve the amount of recruits needed for that build up, in Germany and several other EU states some politicians and generals are calling for a return of conscription.

 

[Aepsilons]

The modern warfare is not about the tanks.

When there is a gain, then there will be a sacrifice.

To sacrifice your living standard and the civilian quality just for the re-armament is not worthy.

Since you are not USA, what is the point to challenge those great powers like Russia and China?

The EU's combined economy is over 18 Trillion, greater than the US economy.

Please.

They'd need to return conscription to achieve the amount of recruits needed for that build up, in Germany and several other EU states some politicians and generals are calling for a return of conscription.

They have to rid themselves of this self-hate towards militarism and military culture. At least under Merkel their military recruitment processes is being streamlined and has applied similar tactics as that of the US'. Germany, considering her size, should at least have a standing army of 300,000 to 500,000.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

The EU's combined economy is over 18 Trillion, greater than the US economy.

Please.

They are not a completely united entity, so you can't say that the EU is more powerful than the US even its combined GDP is bigger.

If the EU is more powerful than the US, then it should be the EU to influence the US, not vice versa.

 

[Aepsilons]

They are not a completely united entity, so you can't say that the EU is more powerful than the US even its combined GDP is bigger.

They're pretty united.

What is NATO?

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

They're pretty united.

What is NATO?

Who is the boss of NATO?

Without the US, NATO is not worthy of being mentioned.

 

[Aepsilons]

If the EU is more powerful than the US, then it should be the EU to influence the US, not vice versa.

Economically speaking, the European Economy is the largest in the entire world. Bar none.

Economy of the European Union - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Economically speaking, the European Economy is the largest in the entire world. Bar none.

Economy of the European Union - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Still, it is the US who controls the western world, not the EU.

 

[Aepsilons]

Who is the boss of NATO?

NATO is an intergovernmental alliance, there is no boss. In order for a NATO-led force to be dispatched, there has to be agreement within the member states.

Your attempt to refer to America as the puppeteer and Europe as a puppet is sadly refuted time and time again.

 

[Desert Fox]

Germany should not rearm for the purposes of military interventions in countries it has no business intervening in nor benefits from doing so in anyway.

How, Germany should rearm to the extent that enables it to maintain internal and regional (European) stability and prosperity.

BTW, i believe Germany and Russia should form stronger economic and military ties. Both nations have a lot to gain from a mutual cooperation.