Background: Germany had approved a French-Russian nuclear fuel plant in Lingen using Rosatom technology, sparking security concerns. New development: A journalistic investigation by Die Zeit and ARD revealed that since 2024, former Merkel chief of staff Ronald Pofalla and ex-premier Matthias Platzeck held secret meetings in Baku with Putin allies, including Gazprom chair Viktor Zubkov, which German intelligence views as a Russian influence operation. Chancellor Merz said he was unaware of the July 2026 trip. The Lingen approval occurred five days after the Baku meetings were exposed. German atomic law allows refusal on security grounds, and the ministry's own statement concedes risks lie within its discretion. Alternatives to TVEL technology exist, such as Westinghouse fuel rods, according to Ukrainian campaign group Razom We Stand. The article frames the Lingen approval and the Baku channel as two manifestations of a persistent German reflex to maintain ties with Russia, contrasting with Germany's role as a major arms supplier to Ukraine and its push for EU nuclear sanctions.

Germany's Federal Constitutional Court ruled that the blanket suspension of admission programs for at-risk Afghans, ordered by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, violates the constitutional prohibition of arbitrariness. The decision came in a case brought by an Afghan woman and her two sons who had been promised admission in 2021. The court ordered the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court to re-evaluate the case, emphasizing that individual circumstances must be considered. The ruling also obliges Germany to seek assurances from Pakistan against her deportation to Afghanistan. The court clarified that the government may revoke admission pledges but must provide individualized reasons to each affected person, respecting their legitimate expectations. It rejected claims of a right to a visa, preserving government discretion. The ruling also requires Germany to support the family in Pakistan and seek assurances against deportation to Afghanistan while proceedings continue.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, during a visit to South Africa, warned that Russian Iskander missiles deployed in Kaliningrad could reach Berlin within minutes, posing an existential threat to European security. He criticized Pretoria's failure to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlighting tensions in bilateral relations. The warning underscores ongoing European concerns about Russian military buildup near NATO borders.

China imposed export restrictions on 14 EU companies, including German defense firm Rheinmetall, barring them from importing dual-use goods. The move retaliates against the EU's 21st sanctions package targeting Chinese firms for allegedly supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. Separately, Romania shot down a drone that entered its airspace, Ukraine struck a Russian defense plant in Kirov, and Russia bombed Ukrainian ports and cities, causing casualties. The IAEA reported military activities disrupted water supply at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Background: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reshuffled his cabinet on July 24, 2026, after Jens Spahn's resignation, appointing Nina Warken as Chancellery chief, Carsten Linnemann as Health Minister, and Philipp Amthor as state minister. Political scientist Oliver Lembcke analyzes the reshuffle as a crisis management move that could restore Merz's authority if executed decisively, but warns that delays could backfire. He notes the promotion of Warken and Franziska Hoppermann as new General Secretary signals a shift toward female representation and trusted allies, driven by the Women's Union, while Linnemann's move to Health is seen as placing a confidant in a key reform role. Lembcke emphasizes that Merz must avoid making the process 'holprig' (bumpy) to maintain credibility.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's cabinet reshuffle, initially triggered by Jens Spahn's resignation, hit a snag when the designated successor for Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder declined the post. Merz had appointed three loyalists to key positions but left Schnieder's status uncertain after the planned replacement fell through. The failed reshuffle has drawn internal criticism of chaotic planning and risks further discord. The planned replacement of Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder fell through when designated successor Fritz Güntzler declined the post, citing lack of experience in transport policy. Schnieder had already sent a farewell SMS to Union transport politicians, but Merz did not announce the change at a press conference, leaving Schnieder's status uncertain. Merz is reportedly frustrated by lack of progress in the transport ministry despite a record budget. Potential successors now include Steffen Bilger and Christian Hirte.

A suspected Russian influence operation, previously linked to boosting the far-right AfD ahead of regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, has now expanded to target Berlin's leading candidates for the state election. Short videos on X spread false claims about CDU, SPD, Greens, and Left Party candidates, alleging corruption, sexual misconduct, and hypocrisy, aiming to undermine their credibility ahead of the vote.

Background: Frontex aerial footage from May 11 showed Sea-Watch 5 transferring migrants from a high-speed rigid boat controlled by masked men in paramilitary gear, leading to an Italian criminal investigation. A video published by Le Figaro now shows Sea-Watch rescue boats coordinating with masked smugglers to transfer nearly 100 migrants from a well-equipped smuggling vessel off the Libyan coast. The footage depicts Sea-Watch crew handing out life jackets and receiving migrants from masked men in paramilitary clothing, with a thumbs-up signal after boarding. Sea-Watch denies explicit coordination, but the video has become a case for Italian courts, raising legal questions about whether the NGO is facilitating illegal migration rather than preventing deaths at sea.