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.
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U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of September, covering the latest developments.
Two people have been rescued alive from a tunnel in Nepal, nine days after catastrophic floods devastated the country, as rescuers continue searching for survivors.
A Chinese national was pulled alive from a tunnel in Nepal on Saturday, authorities said, 10 days after a wall of ice, rock and mud tore through a Himalayan valley, killing more than 1,300 people and leaving more than 5,600 missing.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Spanish authorities are preparing a new site in Ceuta to accommodate hundreds of migrants who remain on the streets following large-scale arrivals in July, local media reported Saturday.
At least two people were killed and dozens injured on Friday after an explosion at a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 km (20 miles) from La Paz, Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said.
The resolution, sponsored by African countries and led by Togo, passed by 164 votes to one, with six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote against it.
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