Defense Spending: "The 700 Billion Euro Program Risks Fizzling Out"
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has an astonishing 700 billion euros at his disposal until 2030 to overhaul the long-neglected Bundeswehr, recruit additional soldiers, and modernize the nation's arsenal. The vast majority of this funding comes from loans, making it an unprecedented modernization, stimulus, and debt program for the country. Few economists have delved as deeply into the challenge of how Germany can simultaneously achieve defense capability and overcome its economic growth crisis as Moritz Schularick. The 51-year-old has led the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), one of Germany's leading research institutions, since 2023. Together with his economist colleagues Clemens Fuest, Jens Südekum, and Michael Hüther, he devised the exceptional rule to bypass the debt brake after the 2024 federal election, which the CDU/CSU, SPD, and Greens ultimately adopted, making these substantial defense expenditures possible in the first place.
Fresh materials — General News
Unexpected Visit: Merz in Kyiv: "You Can Continue to Count on Our Help"
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) arrived in Kyiv early Sunday morning for an unannounced solidarity visit. The Ukrainian capital has been suffering from intensified Russian attacks for weeks. Moscow has pledged to continue these assaults with undiminished severity and reitera
Left Party Leader Pellmann Joins "Rote Hilfe"
Sören Pellmann, leader of the Left Party's parliamentary group, has joined the human rights organization "Rote Hilfe." This move comes in the context of ongoing discussions surrounding the party's direction and its affiliations, particularly following scrutiny of former member Eli
Germany vs. Serbia: Player Ratings - Pavlovic Dominates Midfield
Aleksandar Pavlovic, 22, is confidently filling his new role. Florian Wirtz demonstrated his world-class ability on two occasions. Only Nick Woltemade seemed eager to disappear. Here are the individual player ratings for the German national team against Serbia. By Martin Schneider Jo
Robert Habeck on the Arctic, Lessons from Government, and His Biggest Failure
Robert Habeck appears composed. Carrying a travel bag over his shoulder, he walks along the Rhine towards the SZ's Düsseldorf office. Spotting a yellow sticker on a railing, reminiscent of the anti-nuclear movement, he notices Ludwig Erhard's image in the center with the text: “Capita
Maischberger and Antisemitism in The Left Party: "The Problem Has Been There for Years"
Political talk shows often feature the same politicians, leading to audience fatigue. Even well-reasoned arguments lose their impact through repetition. Parties opt for seasoned figures over newcomers to minimize the risk of missteps, as a single misstatement can linger and harm b
Earth's Core Rotation Influences Day Length
Scientists have long suspected that the Earth's solid inner core, a mass of iron at the planet's center, impacts our planet's rotation speed. This influence is evident in the subtle fluctuations of day length, which vary by milliseconds over several years. A recent study proposes a connec