Markus Lanz's Unexpected Confession on War
Markus Lanz admits to taking lethal action during wartime.
The dust has settled on the NATO summit in The Hague, and the biggest takeaway is simple - European NATO members will shell out five percent of their GDP on defense. Trump's happiness? Off the charts, and Europe seems to have dodged a Bullet (or Trump's tweet tantrum). It's all thanks to NATO Secretary-General Marc Rutte, who's been buttering up the US President for weeks.
Politics Full Length Closing Speech: Trump Pitches Iran Attacks to Sell US Weapons "Rutte's cozying up to Trump was the low point of all NATO summits," military historian, Söhnke Neitzel, opined on Markus Lanz. "But the Europeans paid a price. Everyone had Trump on a leash, begging to reach the two-percent target. Now we have five percent. Trump got it done. Now let's see how it's implemented." The NATO summit successful? You betcha. "Trump still seems somewhat committed to Europe, considering his eccentric personality and our initial fears."
Europe's beefed-up contribution to NATO is a step in the right direction, says Neitzel. "It's necessary. But the question is, how do we sell it?" Neitzel's been a proponent of revamping Germany's military for decades. "Our armed forces are still the perfect embodiment of German bureaucracy. It drives everybody nuts, especially the soldiers, and the Europeans are paying the price for three decades of empty words. Since 2014, we've been saying the Europeans need to step it up and take responsibility. Enough already."
If Neitzel is right, European defense could take a hit. Perhaps that's why the sudden pause when Lanz poses his question to Green party leader Katharina Dröge: "Are you scared of a war?" "It would be pretty foolish not to have that worry," Dröge replies. "It's wise to consider the possibility. I'm not predicting it, but we've got to make sure it doesn't happen. But if Putin's honest about his intentions, and his assertions, he's telling us he's not done with Ukraine. So here I am, a Green, agreeing with the need for conventional weapons. I think it's a mistake that other dimensions of security aren't given equal weight."
"We all gotta take a hard look," says Neitzel. "If war breaks out, would you be ready to defend your country?" Lanz asks Neitzel. "If necessary, I'll step up to the plate," Neitzel admits. "If my country is attacked, and we're in a war I’m determined to avoid, and if the Bundeswehr has a task for me, I’m in. That’s not something up for debate. I've seen 71-year-olds in the Bundeswehr training for Ukraine. And we can't simply shirk our responsibility because we're relatively comfortable."
Politics Arms Race Approved: Merz: Germany Takes Lead Role in NATO "And you?" Neitzel probes Lanz. "I’ve served," Lanz replies after a moments reflection. "And for me, it was always a no-brainer: Firing at a person brandishing a weapon just wasn't an option for me. I wouldn't do it. But following visits to Ukraine, I've changed my mind. I've seen the determination of those people, and I've understood their resolve. It's breathtaking to see the Ukrainians stand their ground, knowing what they're fighting for."
Lanz then asks Neitzel to paint a picture of what such a war might look like. Neitzel explains: It won't be a nuclear apocalypse. "Russia can't wage a long war against NATO, contrary to Warsaw Pact battle plans. There won't be battles with missiles raining down on big cities. NATO is preparing for provocations, such as a Russian incursion into sparsely populated regions like Spitzbergen or the derailment of trains. But it's not all doom and gloom. Despite the anxiety in certain circles, nobody expects their homes to be shaken by Russian tanks in the morning."
Neitzel claims a sense of relief post-summit. "Europe now has the five percent commitment - that's a clear message. The upcoming Russian maneuvers will likely be smaller than anticipated. The situation’s serious, but we can't afford to panic." Dröge agrees: "We need to stay calm."
I'm not going to say anything about the other two, but Söhnke Neitzel, a military historian, has voiced his concern about the potential for war, saying it's necessary for Europe to make sure it doesn't happen, even if it means investing in conventional weapons. Despite this, Neitzel insists that war isn't going to be a nuclear apocalypse, and instead will likely involve provocations such as a Russian incursion into sparsely populated regions like Spitzbergen or the derailment of trains.
