Why military service is back on the table in Germany | Berlin Briefing podcast

The German government says it aims to build up Europe’s strongest conventional army, but is facing a shortage of personnel. Conscription was suspended in 2011 and now plans to bring it back in are on the table. Who's going to be affected? Will women serve? And amid rising tensions with Russia, how prepared is Germany? DW’s Nina Haase talks to Michaela Küfner, Sina Schweikle, and David Matei.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
01:06 Bundeswehr social media influencer
01:43 Conscription debate
06:13 The government's plans
08:21 “Zeitenwende”
12:27 Friedrich Merz
13:32 Disunity within the SPD
17:57 German defense minister
25:24 Where do Germans stand?
29:14 Draft law
34:49 Women in the army
36:27 Germany’s youth and military
40:57 End

LINKS:

Germany fast-tracks its military buildup
https://youtu.be/Nup1ABYb1Mw?si=8icMdX0gF0QAK23s

How ready are Germans to defend Europe?
https://youtu.be/8up7kBYdqo8?si=_dyvaOlNlM1_5yuI

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Post from DW News on August 07, 2025

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