German broadcasters reveal Russia's seabed nuclear-missile programme as Berlin's defence-economy debate turns to NATO's lagging production
WDR and NDR, after a months-long investigation, revealed on May 21 that Russia is developing a secret programme codenamed "Skythen" to station nuclear-armed "Skif" ballistic missiles on the seabed at depths of several hundred metres, hidden from NATO detection and remotely activated. The reveal landed alongside an FAZ defence-policy analysis by NATO General Markus Laubenthal arguing that slow European arms production — especially for air-defence missiles and drones — is the greatest current risk to NATO deterrence as Russia operates on a full war footing.
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WDR and NDR reveal Russia's secret 'Skythen' programme to station nuclear-armed Skif missiles on the seabed
German broadcasters WDR and NDR, after a months-long investigation citing Western intelligence sources, reported on May 21 that Russia is developing a secret programme codenamed "Skythen" to station nuclear-armed ballistic missiles on the seabed at depths of several hundred metres, where they would be hidden from NATO detection and remotely activated in wartime. The system pairs the 96-metre Severodvinsk-based vessel "Zvezdochka" — and possibly the special submarine "Sarov" — with a modified "Skif" missile derived from the submarine-launched "Sineva", with a reported range of several thousand kilometres and first tests said to have taken place "several years ago." The Pentagon studied an analogous concept codenamed "Orca" in 1980 before abandoning it, and the 1971 Seabed Treaty bars such emplacement in international waters but exempts a state's own coastal regions — the broadcasters said Russia would place Skythen in its own waters.
NATO faces critical risk from slow European defense production capacity
NATO's slow defense production is the greatest risk to European deterrence, as Russia has fully converted to a war economy and the West risks being outpaced in production, scaling, and speed. Europe must close capability gaps, replenish reserves, and replace U.S.-provided capabilities within a narrow window before Russia fully reconstitutes its forces. The transatlantic partnership remains the backbone of European security, but Europe must increase its own military capacity without deluding itself that the U.S. will indefinitely carry half of NATO's capabilities.
All Events
Every other event tracked in Germany, with a one-line preview.
de35German minister calls for end to early retirement; multiple security and policy developments
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) called for an end to early retirement programs to increase working hours, citing competition with China where workers average 2,000 hours per year versus 1,337 in Germany. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) expressed openness to across-the-board subsidy cuts. The Bundestag approved a reduction in the air travel tax. In security news, three men were convicted for supporting the 'Kaiserreich group' which plotted to kidnap former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach; the Solingen attacker's life sentence became final; and the Federal Prosecutor's Office indicted an Iranian spy for plotting attacks on Jewish targets in Germany.
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German minister calls for end to early retirement; multiple security and policy developments
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) called for an end to early retirement programs to increase working hours, citing competition with China where workers average 2,000 hours per year versus 1,337 in Germany. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) expressed openness to across-the-board subsidy cuts. The Bundestag approved a reduction in the air travel tax. In security news, three men were convicted for supporting the 'Kaiserreich group' which plotted to kidnap former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach; the Solingen attacker's life sentence became final; and the Federal Prosecutor's Office indicted an Iranian spy for plotting attacks on Jewish targets in Germany.
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) called for an end to early retirement programs to increase working hours, citing competition with China where workers average 2,000 hours per year versus 1,337 in Germany. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) expressed openness to across-the-board subsidy cuts. The Bundestag approved a reduction in the air travel tax. In security news, three men were convicted for supporting the 'Kaiserreich group' which plotted to kidnap former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach; the Solingen attacker's life sentence became final; and the Federal Prosecutor's Office indicted an Iranian spy for plotting attacks on Jewish targets in Germany.
de30German Bundestag passes pharmacy reform expanding vaccination and prescription powers
Germany's Bundestag approved a pharmacy reform granting pharmacies greater autonomy to issue certain prescription medications, administer additional vaccinations (including tetanus and FSME), and conduct blood draws. The law, backed by the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition, aims to reduce doctor visits for routine care and improve rural healthcare access. It now goes to the Bundesrat for approval. The reform also includes financial measures to support pharmacies, such as higher emergency service fees.
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German Bundestag passes pharmacy reform expanding vaccination and prescription powers
Germany's Bundestag approved a pharmacy reform granting pharmacies greater autonomy to issue certain prescription medications, administer additional vaccinations (including tetanus and FSME), and conduct blood draws. The law, backed by the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition, aims to reduce doctor visits for routine care and improve rural healthcare access. It now goes to the Bundesrat for approval. The reform also includes financial measures to support pharmacies, such as higher emergency service fees.
Germany's Bundestag approved a pharmacy reform granting pharmacies greater autonomy to issue certain prescription medications, administer additional vaccinations (including tetanus and FSME), and conduct blood draws. The law, backed by the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition, aims to reduce doctor visits for routine care and improve rural healthcare access. It now goes to the Bundesrat for approval. The reform also includes financial measures to support pharmacies, such as higher emergency service fees.
de28Belgium to arm F-35A fighters with AGM-184 JSM cruise missiles for €700 million
Belgium is procuring AGM-184 Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for its F-35A fleet, with an initial $168 million contract with Raytheon and a planned €500 million order with Kongsberg. The JSM, a variant of the Naval Strike Missile, provides Belgium with a long-range strike capability against both naval and land targets, enhancing NATO deterrence. Germany has also ordered the missile for its F-35s.
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Belgium to arm F-35A fighters with AGM-184 JSM cruise missiles for €700 million
Belgium is procuring AGM-184 Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for its F-35A fleet, with an initial $168 million contract with Raytheon and a planned €500 million order with Kongsberg. The JSM, a variant of the Naval Strike Missile, provides Belgium with a long-range strike capability against both naval and land targets, enhancing NATO deterrence. Germany has also ordered the missile for its F-35s.
Belgium is procuring AGM-184 Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for its F-35A fleet, with an initial $168 million contract with Raytheon and a planned €500 million order with Kongsberg. The JSM, a variant of the Naval Strike Missile, provides Belgium with a long-range strike capability against both naval and land targets, enhancing NATO deterrence. Germany has also ordered the missile for its F-35s.
de20German Bundestag debates automatic child benefit for newborns
The German Bundestag debated a law to automatically pay child benefit (Kindergeld) to parents of newborns without an application, starting in 2025. The reform, introduced by Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD), aims to eliminate around 300,000 applications annually. It will be implemented in two steps: first for parents with older children, then for first-time parents. Meanwhile, Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) faces criticism for considering cuts to parental allowance (Elterngeld) to save 350 million euros, sparking opposition from the CDU's youth wing, SPD, Left Party, and Greens.
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German Bundestag debates automatic child benefit for newborns
The German Bundestag debated a law to automatically pay child benefit (Kindergeld) to parents of newborns without an application, starting in 2025. The reform, introduced by Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD), aims to eliminate around 300,000 applications annually. It will be implemented in two steps: first for parents with older children, then for first-time parents. Meanwhile, Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) faces criticism for considering cuts to parental allowance (Elterngeld) to save 350 million euros, sparking opposition from the CDU's youth wing, SPD, Left Party, and Greens.
The German Bundestag debated a law to automatically pay child benefit (Kindergeld) to parents of newborns without an application, starting in 2025. The reform, introduced by Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD), aims to eliminate around 300,000 applications annually. It will be implemented in two steps: first for parents with older children, then for first-time parents. Meanwhile, Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) faces criticism for considering cuts to parental allowance (Elterngeld) to save 350 million euros, sparking opposition from the CDU's youth wing, SPD, Left Party, and Greens.
de18Germany launches 'Hagen Pact' to combat social welfare abuse linked to dilapidated properties
The city of Hagen, together with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government, has signed the 'Hagen Pact', allocating 80-100 million euros over ten years to renovate or demolish around 230 of 350 dilapidated properties. The initiative targets a system where criminal landlords exploit EU freedom of movement to lure impoverished migrants, primarily Roma from Romania and Bulgaria, into substandard housing and then fraudulently collect social benefits. The pact aims to break the cycle of social welfare abuse and urban decay, with the first tranche of 13 million euros expected this year.
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Germany launches 'Hagen Pact' to combat social welfare abuse linked to dilapidated properties
The city of Hagen, together with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government, has signed the 'Hagen Pact', allocating 80-100 million euros over ten years to renovate or demolish around 230 of 350 dilapidated properties. The initiative targets a system where criminal landlords exploit EU freedom of movement to lure impoverished migrants, primarily Roma from Romania and Bulgaria, into substandard housing and then fraudulently collect social benefits. The pact aims to break the cycle of social welfare abuse and urban decay, with the first tranche of 13 million euros expected this year.
The city of Hagen, together with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government, has signed the 'Hagen Pact', allocating 80-100 million euros over ten years to renovate or demolish around 230 of 350 dilapidated properties. The initiative targets a system where criminal landlords exploit EU freedom of movement to lure impoverished migrants, primarily Roma from Romania and Bulgaria, into substandard housing and then fraudulently collect social benefits. The pact aims to break the cycle of social welfare abuse and urban decay, with the first tranche of 13 million euros expected this year.
de15Rheinmetall hosts defense industry event at Borussia Dortmund stadium amid sponsorship controversy
German defense contractor Rheinmetall, together with Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and recruitment firm s/three, hosted a closed event titled 'Defense from the Center' at the Signal Iduna Park stadium. The event aimed to promote defense readiness and resilience, drawing parallels to the stadium's famous 'Yellow Wall' of fans. The sponsorship, worth a high single-digit million euros through 2027, has faced fan protests since its announcement in May 2024, including a silent protest and banners reading 'Screw Rheinmetall deal.' Rheinmetall's stock has surged from €107 to €1,224 since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the company has seen a wave of job applications and increased political attention.
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Rheinmetall hosts defense industry event at Borussia Dortmund stadium amid sponsorship controversy
German defense contractor Rheinmetall, together with Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and recruitment firm s/three, hosted a closed event titled 'Defense from the Center' at the Signal Iduna Park stadium. The event aimed to promote defense readiness and resilience, drawing parallels to the stadium's famous 'Yellow Wall' of fans. The sponsorship, worth a high single-digit million euros through 2027, has faced fan protests since its announcement in May 2024, including a silent protest and banners reading 'Screw Rheinmetall deal.' Rheinmetall's stock has surged from €107 to €1,224 since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the company has seen a wave of job applications and increased political attention.
German defense contractor Rheinmetall, together with Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and recruitment firm s/three, hosted a closed event titled 'Defense from the Center' at the Signal Iduna Park stadium. The event aimed to promote defense readiness and resilience, drawing parallels to the stadium's famous 'Yellow Wall' of fans. The sponsorship, worth a high single-digit million euros through 2027, has faced fan protests since its announcement in May 2024, including a silent protest and banners reading 'Screw Rheinmetall deal.' Rheinmetall's stock has surged from €107 to €1,224 since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the company has seen a wave of job applications and increased political attention.
de13Low voluntary returns to Afghanistan despite financial incentives
Germany's program offering financial support for voluntary returns to Afghanistan has seen only about 220 participants since early 2025, far fewer than the 4,500 who returned to Syria in the same period. Both countries face similarly dire economic conditions and offer comparable financial incentives, including flight tickets, travel allowances, and start-up grants of around 1,000 euros per individual, up to 4,000 euros per family. The key factor is trust in the political situation, which is deteriorating in Afghanistan but improving in Syria. This highlights that financial aid alone is insufficient to drive voluntary returns when the home country's political outlook is bleak.
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Low voluntary returns to Afghanistan despite financial incentives
Germany's program offering financial support for voluntary returns to Afghanistan has seen only about 220 participants since early 2025, far fewer than the 4,500 who returned to Syria in the same period. Both countries face similarly dire economic conditions and offer comparable financial incentives, including flight tickets, travel allowances, and start-up grants of around 1,000 euros per individual, up to 4,000 euros per family. The key factor is trust in the political situation, which is deteriorating in Afghanistan but improving in Syria. This highlights that financial aid alone is insufficient to drive voluntary returns when the home country's political outlook is bleak.
Germany's program offering financial support for voluntary returns to Afghanistan has seen only about 220 participants since early 2025, far fewer than the 4,500 who returned to Syria in the same period. Both countries face similarly dire economic conditions and offer comparable financial incentives, including flight tickets, travel allowances, and start-up grants of around 1,000 euros per individual, up to 4,000 euros per family. The key factor is trust in the political situation, which is deteriorating in Afghanistan but improving in Syria. This highlights that financial aid alone is insufficient to drive voluntary returns when the home country's political outlook is bleak.
de10Study reveals significant Nazi-era burden on early German Federal Constitutional Court
A new study commissioned by the German Federal Constitutional Court reveals that its early judges had a stronger Nazi-era burden than previously known. Of the first 24 judges appointed in 1951, only nine were actually persecuted by the Nazis, while three were former NSDAP members and five were former SA members. The study highlights cases like Willi Geiger, a former Nazi prosecutor involved in death sentences, and Hermann Höpker-Aschoff, who worked for the Haupttreuhandstelle Ost. Despite this, the court played a liberalizing role in West German jurisprudence.
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Study reveals significant Nazi-era burden on early German Federal Constitutional Court
A new study commissioned by the German Federal Constitutional Court reveals that its early judges had a stronger Nazi-era burden than previously known. Of the first 24 judges appointed in 1951, only nine were actually persecuted by the Nazis, while three were former NSDAP members and five were former SA members. The study highlights cases like Willi Geiger, a former Nazi prosecutor involved in death sentences, and Hermann Höpker-Aschoff, who worked for the Haupttreuhandstelle Ost. Despite this, the court played a liberalizing role in West German jurisprudence.
A new study commissioned by the German Federal Constitutional Court reveals that its early judges had a stronger Nazi-era burden than previously known. Of the first 24 judges appointed in 1951, only nine were actually persecuted by the Nazis, while three were former NSDAP members and five were former SA members. The study highlights cases like Willi Geiger, a former Nazi prosecutor involved in death sentences, and Hermann Höpker-Aschoff, who worked for the Haupttreuhandstelle Ost. Despite this, the court played a liberalizing role in West German jurisprudence.