Friedrich Merz, NATO and the historical merit of arms spending

On Thursday in Münster, Friedrich Merz will give a eulogy for NATO - and thus, to a certain extent, for himself. Without German leadership, the alliance would probably only exist on paper today, if at all.

With the decision to change the Basic Law together with the SPD and the Greens shortly after his election victory and to exempt defense spending from the debt brake, Merz prevented US President Donald Trump from ending the security partnership with Europe.

The political price for this is high; Merz has lost his credibility but saved NATO. Despite all the domestic political crises that Merz and his government stumble through, despite all his communication failures and technical deficiencies - this historic achievement will remain.

It is NATO that ensures peace in Europe, not the much-vaunted international law or the mythically charged art of diplomacy. Norms and offers of conversation have little impact on aggressors. They only back away from plans of conquest when their cost-benefit calculation changes. Combat-capable armed forces are the key to this.