Russian aggression and US isolationism push a once hesitant Germany to invest heavily in defence.

Germany’s military, the Bundeswehr, recently got the all-clear for a massive increase in investment after parliament voted to exempt defence spending from strict rules on debt.

The country’s top general has told the BBC the cash boost is urgently needed because he believes Russian aggression won’t stop at Ukraine.

“We are threatened by Russia. We are threatened by Putin. We have to do whatever is needed to deter that,” Gen Carsten Breuer says. He warns that Nato should be braced for a possible attack in as little as four years.

“It’s not about how much time I need, it’s much more about how much time Putin gives us to be prepared,” the defence chief says bluntly. “And the sooner we are prepared the better.”

    • idiomaddict@lemmy.worldEnglish
      61·
      3 days ago

      Ehh, they scored more than half of those points within six minutes, and six out of seven within the first half hour. They stopped trying to score after halftime and dampened their post-goal celebrations. It seemed like they really weren’t trying to rub it in, but Brazil was just not being competitive.

      • barsoap@lemm.eeEnglish
        51·
        3 days ago

        but Brazil was just not being competitive.

        That’s quite the understatement: It was so bad Brazilian fans started to cheer for the German team. Which, under usual circumstances, only happens when we’re not playing against each other.

        All in all it could’ve been worse for Brazil: It could have been Argentina. And it could have been better for Germany: It could have been the Dutch.

    • baduhai@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      11·
      3 days ago

      What was mean spirited? Your joke, or Germany winning 7-1? Because I don’t think either were mean spirited, and I’m Brazilian.

      • ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.worldEnglish
        11·
        3 days ago

        Germany winning 7-1. I was a neutral but kind of rooting for Brazil just to see a fun match and home fans celebrating. It’s always more fun when a team wins at home. And then minutes later. I thought “Oh no. Namar is out and Germany is the country least likely to hold back.” Brazil players looked dejected. Anyone with empathy felt for them.