Will Germany try to acquire nuclear weapons?
By Derimot- Ove Bengt Berg - June 8, 2025
Will Germany acquiring nuclear weapons? In the magazine Counterfire from 03.06.2025, Chris Bambery has an interview with " the German left-wing economist and author Wolfgang Streeck " about the situation in Europe in connection with the Ukraine war. There, Streeck claims that " War hysteria has always been a strong historical force. "
He points out that there is now a strong mood in Germany for the introduction of conscription, that is, mobilizing large armies. And more importantly, that Germany is now thinking about acquiring nuclear weapons to threaten Russia with in order to avoid a military defeat on the ground in Ukraine.
When asked about political attitudes towards the German parties after the February elections, Streeck answers: As for nuclear weapons, the conservative-centrist elite’s legacy newspaper, the FAZ, is slowly approaching the point where it will openly advocate them. Nuclear weapons are, in a sense, just a consequence.
If Germany is to bear the brunt of a European-sponsored conventional land war in Ukraine, it must be able, as a last resort, to prevent a possible defeat by threatening to attack Russian troops, military bases, and even cities with the most effective means of destruction available. It must also be able to deter a Russian nuclear threat in the event that Russia is in danger of losing the conventional war.
Regarding the popular support for going to war, Streeck answers this:
As for public opinion, do not underestimate the power of war propaganda. [ War hysteria has always been a powerful historical force. There is already talk of risking one’s life for one’s country, which gives it a higher meaning: dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, as the Romans said (it is sweet and honorable to die for one’s country).]
The tools are in good working order, continually tested and improved. Look at Palestine, where the ongoing genocide is skillfully protected by the government and the media, as well as prominent philosophers, from being called what it is.
It seems surprisingly easy to convince today’s younger generation that the world is divided into good and evil, and that it is our duty to fight evil, even if it costs thousands, if not millions, of human lives — for “justice.” Whether today’s Greens would have opposed the Vietnam War — one of the most senseless mass exterminations in human history — we may well ask.
Will today's youth flock to the army to fight? Streeck doesn't think so. First, there are other possible soldiers besides Ukrainians to fight for US and EU interests in Ukraine, and the war could become more technological. Streeck:
In Europe, the EU could also hire mercenaries from states that are not part of the EU core, perhaps from the Balkans. They could be offered European citizenship after a specified period of service, as in the ancient Roman Empire. I think European governments would try hard to avoid having to call up their own citizens. As Ursula von der Leyen put it, “Ukrainians are dying for our values.” Perhaps others could be found to contribute and do the same?
Conflict-filled Europe
Western Europe has always been in conflict with each other, and not very disciplined. France has always seen itself as " a European hegemon, a leader of a more independent Europe halfway between the United States and the East, the former Soviet Union, and active globally as a third force in world politics. " In conflict with Germany which was and is dependent on the United States. Streeck:
The other EU member states also followed their national interests first and foremost — what else could a democratic country do? — all the more so the larger and more heterogeneous the EU became, having grown from six to 27 members over the years.
Over time, the EU’s internal policy revolved around two goals: to get Germany to share the benefits of EU membership with the other member states, thus leading the EU as a benevolent hegemon; and to prevent Germany, as the strongest member state, from going its own way, thus promoting “European integration.”
The goal is to keep Germany contained — not necessarily down, but bound by international law and majority voting — and prevent it from using its power to build a German zone of interest in which Germany is free to act according to its own interests.
By Ove Bengt Berg
The post is taken from Politikus
Editor Comments.
Germany failed to build an Atom Bomb during WWI using Heavy Water produced at the Norwegian power station Vemork in Telemark, owing to the Heros of Telemark blowing up the power station and the lake ferry carrying two railway carriages of Heavy Water. Hope someone will also prevent it a second time.
