Germany’s military power is growing. That makes some Europeans uneasy

No other country in Europe can bring such economic power to bear, said Armida van Rij, a European security specialist at the Centre for European Reform think-tank. “There is a recognition that we need Germany, in particular, because they have the fiscal headroom and they have the money,” she said, noting that France, Italy and the UK are “more constrained”.

Nato has always relied on US leadership, which has “provided discipline for the rest of the alliance”, added Van Rij. If the Trump administration follows through with threats to step back from its role, Nato could need a replacement, she suggests – and Germany would be a logical candidate.

...Germany also faces the challenge of developing “a strategic culture that is willing to take risks”, says Van Rij, highlighting Berlin’s refusal to provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine even as the UK and France have supplied equivalents. Russia sees Germany as a relative “soft target” and will test its resolve, she added.