Security threats, military spending, and concepts of burden-sharing have changed in the years following the end of the Cold War, and the transatlantic alliance has adapted to meet the new challenges. Now, as the NATO partners undertake “Defender Europe 20,” the largest movement of U.S. troops and military vehicles to Europe in twenty-five years, Germany plays a key role in the ability to move forces across Europe. At the center of Europe, Germany’s role as a logistical hub is a reminder of the need to think differently about what burden-sharing should entail; the alliance doesn’t need German tanks, but rather German trains. Germany was the largest defense spender in the European Union in 2019, with a 38 percent increase over 2014 spending. How much further does Germany have to go in terms in capabilities and readiness?
On this episode of The Zeitgeist, AICGS’ Jeff Rathke talks with Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges, who commanded the U.S. Army Europe from 2014 to 2017. They discuss the importance of deterrence, and how NATO continues to respond to Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea. They also discuss the NATO battlegroups and what stresses Germany’s leadership role in Lithuania is placing on the Bundeswehr, as well as how Germany is responding.

Host
Jeff Rathke, President, AICGS
Guest
Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges, Commander, United States Army Europe from 2014 to 2017 and Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis