Putin threat pushes Germany to give spies major new powers

Key Points:

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government has approved a reform to strengthen the foreign intelligence agency (BND), allowing it to conduct sabotage, offensive cyber operations, and more aggressive espionage beyond its traditional information-gathering role.
• The reform aims to address growing threats from Russia and reduce Germany’s heavy reliance on foreign intelligence partners, particularly the U.S., by granting the BND expanded operational powers and fewer data-protection restrictions.
• The changes come amid heightened security concerns following incidents such as the explosive-laden drone found near a Ukrainian plane in Leipzig, highlighting the need for active responses to hybrid threats.
• The reform, which includes increased funding and the use of advanced technologies like AI and facial recognition, must still be approved by parliament and is expected to take effect by 2027.
• Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that the new measures are designed to protect Germany from espionage, sabotage, and covert foreign actions without endangering lives or physical safety.