. license. .European countries find themselves increasingly obliged, in this volatile global security environment, to reassess their defense strategies.The war in Ukraine and NATO’s new commitments bring military readiness, deterrence, and allied cooperation once again to the forefront of national and international security agendas.If Germany’s case is unique, its leading role in this debate swings in a delicate balance between its post-World War II pacifism and the growing need for military preparedness, with alliance obligations.It is a heavy decision with several considerations of military muscle development versus the risk of an arms race with adversaries, considered by political, defense, and military analysts regarding NATO’s security commitments and Russia’s burgeoning capabilities.The views of defense experts like Franz-Stefan Gady and Claudia Major add immense values to how Germany and its European allies can work their way out of the challenges.