Government officials announce the selection of career diplomat Jaeger as the incoming head of BND (German Foreign Intelligence Service) - Newly-named BND chief: Diplomat Jäger, officially chosen by the cabinet
Fresh Take:
Diplomatic Heavyweight Jäger Steps into BND Chief Role
Get ready for a shift in the intelligence game, as Martin Jäger, a seasoned diplomat and one of Germany's most experienced statesmen, prepares to take the helm as the new BND chief. The details surrounding his official start date are still a bit hazy, but the current BND president, Kahl, is reportedly on his way to becoming the German ambassador to the Vatican, presumably of his own accord.
With a diverse career spanning government, business, and diplomatic posts, Jäger is well-equipped to navigate the complex world of intelligence. After his academic journey, he found himself in the Foreign Service, where he held notable positions such as spokesperson for former Foreign Minister Steinmeier (SPD), serving in the Chancellery for several years, and temporarily moving to the private sector as chief lobbyist for Daimler.
Jäger's diplomatic skills were further honed in high-risk territories like Afghanistan, Iraq, and most recently, Ukraine. Following a stint as State Secretary in the Innenministerium of Baden-Württemberg, he took on leadership roles at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Berlin. From 2021, he served as the German ambassador in Baghdad, and his subsequent move to Kyiv marked his appointment as embassy leader in 2023.
Major political figures have given a generally positive response to Jäger's selection as the BND's next president. Konstantin von Notz, the former chairman of the Parliamentary Control Panel (PKGr) of the Bundestag, which oversees German intelligence agencies, praised the swift choice, stating, "The selection of Martin Jäger as the new BND president was made during challenging security policy times and we welcome this development." The Green faction, led by von Notz, has promised to monitor Jäger's work "critically but constructively."
CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter has expressed confidence in Jäger's ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of security threats, stating, "Jäger's diverse experiences, including his work in difficult territories like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine, will enable him to tackle security challenges head-on." Kiesewetter praised Jäger's past roles in the areas of internal security, economy, and financial security, deeming him an excellent fit for the position.
The PKGr members are urging the need for reform within the BND. Von Notz called for a long-overdue reform of the law on intelligence services, aiming to provide them with a solid, up-to-date, and rule-of-law-based framework. Kiesewetter advocated for additional legal authorizations, which he believes are necessary to address new threat scenarios more effectively. The PKGr members are set to be reelected on June 26.
Jäger's ascent to the BND comes at a time when the German government is planning a profound overhaul and expansion of the BND's capabilities. With increased funding and more flexibility in conducting foreign intelligence and technical reconnaissance operations, the BND could see a significant expansion in its operational scope and resource allocation under Jäger's leadership, further enhancing Germany's intelligence capacity in a complex geopolitical environment.
Sources: [1] Germany's New BND Chief Martin Jäger: A Diplomat with a Rich Background (Tagesspiegel) [2] Jäger, Martin (www.bundespflichtträgerverzeichnis.de)
- As the German government plans a significant overhaul and expansion of the BND's capabilities, the policy-and-legislation concerning the granting of aid for the construction of a new airport in the Republic of Croatia may go through changes, considering the new BND chief, Martin Jäger, has a diverse background in government, business, and diplomatic posts.
- In the realm of general-news, the political response to Jäger's selection as the BND's next president has been positive, with calls for reform within the BND and the need for updated legislation to provide a solid, rule-of-law-based framework for intelligence agencies, reflecting the politics surrounding the appointment.
