Next German Finance Chief Is Defense Expert Shaped by 9/11

For the man poised to become Germany’s next finance minister, Sept. 11, 2001 is a pivotal moment that will shape his thinking as he rebuilds the country’s defenses.

That morning, just after the first plane struck one of the World Trade Center towers in New York, the 23-year-old Lars Klingbeil arrived at work in Manhattan for an internship. He can recall the office building being evacuated, and his boss declaring words that would ring in his ears: “This day will change the world.”