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This article was first published on January 27, 2023  following the controversial statement of Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock intimating that Germany’s Bundeswehr was preparing to wage war on Russia.

In recent developments it would appear that Chancellor Scholz:

“doesn’t have any idea about what his armed forces [Bundeswehr] are doing behind his back, which risks dragging Germany deeper into this conflict.

The underlying statements should be taken seriously.

They suggest that an all out war against Russia is contemplated –beyond Germany’s military aid and delivery of weapons to the Kiev regime.

—Michel Chossudovsky, Global Research, March 4, 2024

***

Introduction

While there are divisions within NATO, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock  –who assiduously studied foreign policy in Klaus Schwab’s WEF Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL)– confirmed in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) (January 25, 2023), that Germany and its allies [NATO] are at war with Russia: 

“Baerbock’s comments come on the heels of nearly a year of direct Russophobic narrative, including openly declared plans for war with Russia.

In mid-November 2022, Der Spiegel published a leaked German Defense Ministry document [68 pages], revealing that the Bundeswehr is preparing for war with Russia [See below]

The secret document titled “Operational guidelines for the Armed Forces” was drafted by Germany’s Chief of Staff, General Eberhard Zorn. 

“He stressed the need for a “mega-reform” of the German military and clearly identified Russia as an “immediate threat”. Infobrics

Screenshot from Der Spiegel, November 14, 2022

Translation of the above (From German by Global Research)

Feared confrontation with Russia   

Preparation for “forced war” – The Bundeswehr must become significantly more powerful”

In a confidential strategy paper, General Chief of Staff Zorn swears that the Bundeswehr will face tough years ahead. A conflict with Russia is becoming more likely. The troops must concentrate fully on defence [Abwehr] against an attack.

What this bold statement suggests is that Germany and its allies should “defend themselves” (plural) against a Russian attack.

See also the contradictory statement of  Germany’s Foreign Minister:

“The most important is that we do it together, we are fighting against Russia” 

Germany’s FM, Annalena Baerbock: “We are fighting a war against Russia,”

They are openly saying it. They are literally saying US/NATO are at war with Russia. pic.twitter.com/80cERnKHHK

— Hassan Mafi ‏ (@thatdayin1992) January 25, 2023

Say No to Article V of The Washington Treaty

We are at a dangerous crossroads.

These confused “do it together” statements tacitly pertain to Article Five of the Washington Treaty and NATO’s Doctrine of Collective Defence, namely the undocumented “claim of an attack” against one member of the Atlantic Alliance (aka Germany) could be presented as an Attack against ALL members of the Atlantic Alliance, leading  humanity into a “World War III Scenario”.

Is Article V of the Washington Treaty (with regard to Russia) a talking point in the corridors of the U.S, State Department and the White House?

At the moment. The “official” Answer is No. According to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken:

“President Biden’s determination is to avoid direct military conflict with Russia. … 

“Biden has always been emphatic that one of his requirements in Ukraine is that there be no World War III,” Blinken said. (WP)

Inasmuch as Ukraine has lost this war before it started (No Navy and No Air Force), direct or indirect US-NATO confrontations against Russia are  difficult to avoid  unless there are meaningful peace negotiations.

Germany’s Defense Ministry document by General Zorn opens up a Pandora’s box.

Scroll down for the original German version.

We hope to eventually be able to have access to the complete 68-page document.

Russian invasion increasingly likely: General warns of possible Russian attack on Germany

by News.de

Translated and Edited by GR, emphasis added

In a shocking report, the Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Eberhard Zorn swore that the Bundeswehr is in for hard times.

A conflict with Russia is becoming more likely, the general warned. The Bundeswehr must prepare for a possible attack, he said.

A shocking [confidential report of 68 pages] warns that a Russian invasion of Europe is “more likely than ever.”

But this is far from the only shock forecast to emerge from the explosive documents.

According to the report, Germany could be wiped off the map “at any moment”.

Confidential paper revealed: Conflict with Russia increasingly likely

As claimed by The Sun, officials in Germany are said to have already urged the country to prepare for a looming war with Russia.

The confidential documents, leaked to Der Spiegel [68 pages drafted by General Zorn] , reveal that one of the country’s top generals, Eberhard Zorn, has ordered the country’s army to put itself on war-readiness in the face of “existential” threats.

General Eberhard Zorn warns of a possible Russian attack in Germany

The 68-page strategy paper, prepared in late September, is titled “Operational Guidelines for the Armed Forces.” In it, General Zorn calls for the German military to be completely rebuilt and prepared for war.

“Attacks on Germany can potentially occur without warning and with great, possibly even existential, damage,” he warned in the paper, according to the report.

Fear of Russian invasion of Europe grows: Bundeswehr barely able to defend itself in case of emergency

Although the modern German army has been involved in foreign conflicts such as Afghanistan, Zorn calls for the Bundeswehr to prepare “for a forced war” at home.

Data from February 2022 show that the Bundeswehr has 183,638 active soldiers and 949,000 reservists. However, despite a billion-dollar package, the Bundeswehr is barely defensible, Army Inspector General Alfons Mais recently warned.

Germany must create “more robust” armed forces

Nevertheless, fears of a possible war are growing. General Zorn said that war in an Eastern European NATO member state had  “become more likely again” and called on Germany to play a leading role in defending the continent and to create “more robust” forces.

He called for large units ready to fight for NATO at a moment’s notice. “Alliance defense, including the ability to provide visible and credible deterrence, will dominate Germany’s military actions,” Zorn said.

Report: Bundeswehr prepares for war on NATO’s eastern flank

The paper goes on to say that in the event of a Russian attack on NATO’s eastern border, Germany would have to provide “reactive and combat forces” and could not wait for U.S. support.

Zorn warned that neither the EU nor NATO could afford “to start planning and deploying forces only after the attack.” In a warning, he declared, “If we don’t act quickly, no army will move in Europe.”

Germany’s military chiefs frustrated by slow pace of Bundeswehr development

The leak of the report, however, could also be a sign that Germany’s military chiefs are frustrated with what they see as their government’s slow response to earlier promises of money, according to the Britain’s Daily Express, for example. One defense executive told Reuters, “There’s a war raging in Ukraine, but here procedures are still running in peace mode while inflation eats up the money.”

Original text in German 

Russische Invasion wird immer wahrscheinlicher: General warnt vor möglichem Russland-Angriff auf Deutschland

von News.de  18. 11. 2022

In einem schockierenden Bericht schwört Generalinspekteur Eberhard Zorn die Bundeswehr auf harte Zeiten ein.

Ein Konflikt mit Russland werde wahrscheinlicher, warnte der General. Die Bundeswehr müsse sich auf einen möglichen Angriff vorbereiten.

Ein schockierender Bericht hat davor gewarnt, dass eine russische Invasion in Europa “wahrscheinlicher denn je” ist.

Doch dies ist längst nicht die einzige Schock-Prognose, die aus den brisanten Dokumenten hervorgeht. Demnach könnte Deutschland “jeden Moment” von der Landkarte getilgt werden.

Vertrauliches Papier offenbart: Konflikt mit Russland immer wahrscheinlicher

Wie die “The Sun” behauptet, sollen Beamte in Deutschland das Land bereits aufgefordert haben, sich auf einen drohenden Krieg mit Russland vorzubereiten. Aus den vertraulichen Dokumenten, die dem “Spiegel” zugespielt wurden, geht hervor, dass einer der obersten Generäle des Landes, Eberhard Zorn, die Armee des Landes angewiesen hat, sich angesichts “existenzieller” Bedrohungen in Kriegsbereitschaft zu versetzen.

General Eberhard Zorn warnt vor möglichen Russen-Angriff in Deutschland

Das Ende September erstellte 68-seitige Strategiepapier trägt den Titel “Operative Richtlinien für die Streitkräfte”. Darin fordert General Zorn, das deutsche Militär komplett umzubauen und auf den Krieg vorzubereiten. “Angriffe auf Deutschland können möglicherweise ohne Vorwarnung und mit großen, möglicherweise sogar existenziellen Schäden erfolgen.”, warnte er dem Bericht nach in dem Papier.

Angst vor russischer Invasion in Europa wächst: Bundeswehr im Ernstfall kaum verteidigungsfähig

Obwohl die moderne deutsche Armee an ausländischen Konflikten wie in Afghanistan beteiligt war, fordert Zorn, dass sich die Bundeswehr “auf einen erzwungenen Krieg” im eigenen Land vorbereitet. Daten vom Februar 2022 zeigen, dass die Bundeswehr über 183.638 aktive Soldaten und 949.000 Reservisten verfügt. Allerdings sei die Bundeswehr trotz Milliardenpakets kaum verteidigungs fähig, warnte zuletzt der Heeresinspekteur Alfons Mais.

Deutschland muss “robustere” Streitkräfte schaffen

Dennoch wächst die Angst vor einem möglichen Krieg. General Zorn erklärte, dass ein Krieg in einem osteuropäischen NATO-Mitgliedstaat “wieder wahrscheinlicher geworden” sei und forderte Deutschland auf, eine führende Rolle bei der Verteidigung des Kontinents zu spielen und “robustere” Streitkräfte zu schaffen. Er forderte große Einheiten, die jederzeit bereit sind, für die NATO zu kämpfen. “Die Bündnisverteidigung, einschließlich der Fähigkeit zur sichtbaren und glaubwürdigen Abschreckung, wird das militärische Handeln Deutschlands dominieren.”, so Zorn.

Bericht: Bundeswehr wappnet sich für Krieg an NATO-Ostflanke

In dem Papier heißt weiter, dass Deutschland im Falle eines russischen Angriffs an der Ostgrenze der NATO “reaktive und kämpferische Kräfte” bereitstellen müsse und nicht auf Unterstützung durch die USA warten könne. Zorn warnte, dass weder die EU noch die NATO es sich leisten könnten, “erst nach dem Angriff mit der Planung und der Aufstellung von Streitkräften zu beginnen”. In einer Warnung erklärte er: “Wenn wir nicht schnell handeln, wird sich keine Armee in Europa bewegen.”

Deutschlands Militärchefs frustriert über schleppende Entwicklung der Bundeswehr

Das Durchsickern des Berichts könnte jedoch auch ein Zeichen dafür sein, dass die deutschen Militärchefs frustriert sind über die ihrer Meinung nach schleppende Reaktion ihrer Regierung auf frühere Geldversprechungen, heißt es etwa beim britischen “Express“. Ein Verteidigungsmanager sagte gegenüber Reuters: “In der Ukraine tobt ein Krieg, aber hier laufen die Verfahren noch im Friedensmodus, während die Inflation das Geld auffrisst.”