Scholz Preaches Peace But His Defense Chief Is Preparing Germans for War
The German defense minister is trying to persuade the chancellor and the country that the Russian threat requires a dramatic increase in military spending and ambition
Olaf Scholz, left, and Boris Pistorius arrive for a cabinet meeting in Berlin in February.
Photographer: Ralf Hirschberger/AFP/Getty ImagesThe German defense minister is trying to persuade the world that his country is serious about becoming a military force again. But he still needs to work on his boss.
Students at the School of Advanced International Studies in Washington heard Boris Pistorius talk up Germany’s military revival last month. Setting out the extent of Germany’s support for Ukraine, 64-year-old Pistorius listed the tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, howitzers and air defense systems that are being used against “the Russian aggressor.”