The state of the Bundeswehr is more dismal than ever
A critical year to reform was lost
“The Bundeswehr, the army that I am allowed to lead, is more or less depleted,” wrote General Alfons Mais, chief of the German army, on the day Russia attacked Ukraine, in an emotional post on social media. “We all saw it coming and were not able to get through with our arguments, and draw and implement conclusions from the annexation of Crimea. It doesn’t feel good! I am fed up!”
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “A lost year”
Europe January 28th 2023
- After a steady first 100 days, choppier waters await Giorgia Meloni
- What Western tanks should give Ukraine in the next round of the war
- The state of the Bundeswehr is more dismal than ever
- Spain’s economy is recovering from the pandemic, but problems persist
- France sees a surprising surge in obesity
- Experience from a past crisis suggests Europe should shake off any complacency
From the January 28th 2023 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Europe
Germans are growing cold on the debt brake
Expect changes after the election
The Pope and Italy’s prime minister tussle over Donald Trump
Giorgia Meloni was the only European leader at the inauguration
Europe faces a new age of gunboat digital diplomacy
Can the EU regulate Donald Trump’s big tech bros?
Ukrainian scientists are studying downed Russian missiles
And learning a lot about sanctions-busting
How Poland emerged as a leading defence power
Will others follow?
Russian pilots appear to be hunting Ukrainian civilians
Residents of Kherson are dodging murderous drones