What's happened
Germany deploys troops to Lithuania for the first time since World War II, as part of NATO's defense strategy. The country also announces plans to reorganize its military command and introduces a new cyber branch to enhance its capabilities in dealing with hybrid threats and electronic warfare.
Why it matters
The deployment of German troops in Lithuania signifies a significant shift in Germany's military posture and its commitment to NATO's collective defense. The reorganization and modernization efforts aim to make the German military more efficient and better prepared to address security challenges, particularly in the face of an assertive Russia. These developments have implications for European security and NATO's deterrence capabilities in the region.
What the papers say
The Independent highlights the historic nature of Germany's troop deployment in Lithuania and the reorganization of its military command, emphasizing the significance for NATO's eastern flank. Politico focuses on the reorganization efforts, underscoring the need for Germany to enhance its military capabilities in response to the evolving security landscape and the challenges posed by Russia.
How we got here
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Germany initiated efforts to strengthen its military capabilities and readiness. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has been leading the overhaul of the Bundeswehr to ensure it is 'war-capable' and better equipped to address modern security threats, including cyber and hybrid warfare.
More on these topics
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Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central and Western Europe. Covering an area of 357,022 square kilometres, it lies between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south.
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries.
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Boris Pistorius is a German politician and lawyer of the Social Democratic Party who has been serving as Minister for Interior and Sports in Lower Saxony since 2013. He has been a part of the Landtag of Lower Saxony since 14 November 2017.