Germany’s far-right AfD says the Bundeswehr has become too soft and wants to bring back discipline and a “warrior culture” inspired by the U.S. military under Trump, slamming progressive reforms as harmful to combat readiness.
In a heated Bundestag debate on Wednesday, AfD lawmaker Hannes Gnauck criticized the current state of Germany’s military, accusing it of losing its fighting edge and embracing what he described as “ideological decay.”
Gnauck mocked gender-focused roles, eco-friendly infrastructure, and what he referred to as a “wellness culture” within the Bundeswehr. “We need fighters, not CEOs with gender advisers,” he said. “Men and women who can lead, fight, and defend our country.”
The AfD’s stance closely mirrors that of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth under President Trump, who has rolled back diversity programs and pledged to restore a “warrior ethos” in the American military.
Gnauck also took aim at the Bundeswehr’s climate-conscious renovations, calling them an example of misguided priorities. “Climate protection instead of combat readiness — that’s madness,” he argued.
He criticized modern troop accommodations as too comfortable, claiming that soldiers now live like hotel guests rather than warriors. “They need weapons, vehicles, and tight-knit units — not personal rooms with Wi-Fi,” he said.
Now the largest opposition party after Germany’s February elections, the AfD has also renewed its opposition to sending arms to Ukraine. Gnauck warned against involvement in “proxy wars” and accused the government of depleting Germany’s military to serve foreign agendas.
Despite AfD resistance, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to continue military support to Ukraine, keeping Germany as the second-largest donor after the United States, even as the Trump administration signals a possible pullback.
A tragic plane crash early Thursday morning shook a quiet residential neighborhood in San Diego, California. According to officials, there are two dead, eight injured.
Adidas and Puma are expected to raise prices in the U.S. after Nike increased footwear costs, as rising import tariffs push up expenses across the sportswear industry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized UK’s Starmer, France’s Macron, and Canada’s Carney for urging a halt to Israel’s military action in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas and undermining justice.
The second meeting of customs leaders from Central Asia and China was held in Almaty, focusing on digitalization, AI integration, border crossing agreements, and expanding cooperation to strengthen regional trade and logistics.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank Group, with the 2026 Annual Meeting set to take place in Azerbaijan.
G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada pledged to tackle global imbalances and suggested tougher sanctions on Russia, while also taking aim at unfair economic practices widely attributed to China.
A tragic plane crash early Thursday morning shook a quiet residential neighborhood in San Diego, California. According to officials, there are two dead, eight injured.
Israeli airstrike hits Toul building in southern Lebanon after evacuation warning, amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah.
Adidas and Puma are expected to raise prices in the U.S. after Nike increased footwear costs, as rising import tariffs push up expenses across the sportswear industry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized UK’s Starmer, France’s Macron, and Canada’s Carney for urging a halt to Israel’s military action in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas and undermining justice.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
The Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025, scheduled for May 18–19, will host 200 international guests, including 40 current and former European officials.
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
A tragic plane crash early Thursday morning shook a quiet residential neighborhood in San Diego, California. According to officials, there are two dead, eight injured.
Israeli airstrike hits Toul building in southern Lebanon after evacuation warning, amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized UK’s Starmer, France’s Macron, and Canada’s Carney for urging a halt to Israel’s military action in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas and undermining justice.
Harvard University has been stripped of its ability to enroll international students after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security accused it of fostering antisemitism and refusing federal oversight, marking a major escalation in the Trump administration’s crackdown on elite universities.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil expressed hope that the G7 will issue a joint communique supporting Ukraine, despite tensions with the US over wording related to the conflict with Russia. Talks also continue on trade issues and sanctions.
G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada pledged to tackle global imbalances and suggested tougher sanctions on Russia, while also taking aim at unfair economic practices widely attributed to China.
A tragic plane crash early Thursday morning shook a quiet residential neighborhood in San Diego, California. According to officials, there are two dead, eight injured.
Israeli airstrike hits Toul building in southern Lebanon after evacuation warning, amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah.
Adidas and Puma are expected to raise prices in the U.S. after Nike increased footwear costs, as rising import tariffs push up expenses across the sportswear industry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized UK’s Starmer, France’s Macron, and Canada’s Carney for urging a halt to Israel’s military action in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas and undermining justice.
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