NATO

 

Fears of Russian invasion of Europe soar in Germany while faith in US backing wanes, poll shows

By 

John Vandiver

Stars and Stripes • December 19, 2025

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Spectators watch a self-propelled howitzer in action at a German military open house in Greding, Germany, June 28, 2025. According to a report released Dec. 18, 2025, by the Munich Security Conference think tank, a majority of Germans now consider the security situation in Europe more dangerous than in the Cold War era, but many still remain conflicted about the justification of ever using military force. (Heike Westhöfer/German armed forces)

 A majority of Germans now consider Europe’s security situation more dangerous than the Cold War era amid growing doubts about the willingness of the United States to come to the Continent’s defense, according to a new survey.

A Munich Security Conference report released Thursday found that 53% of those polled consider current conditions less secure than now than during the Cold War, when Germany was divided and the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union loomed over the NATO alliance.

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US gives initial OK for NATO allies to buy more Stingers

By 

John Vandiver

Stars and Stripes • December 19, 2025

 

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German soldiers train on a Stinger surface-to-air missile in this undated photo. The U.S. State Department gave initial approval Dec. 18, 2025, for a $136 million sale of Stingers and related supporting technology to a NATO procurement agency that supports German, Italian and Dutch acquisitions of the system. (Christian Timmig/German armed forces)

The United States has greenlit the potential sale of more Stinger warheads to multiple allies in Europe in a move aimed at beefing up NATO defenses.

The State Department gave initial approval Thursday for a $136 million sale of the portable surface-to-air missiles and related supporting technology to a NATO procurement agency that supports German, Italian and Dutch acquisitions of the system.

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