Germany's interior minister warns of expansive 'shadow war' beyond Cold War era

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told reporters in Berlin that the country is confronting a shadow war whose objectives go beyond anything seen during the Cold War, with the clear aim of fundamentally destabilising Germany. While he avoided naming Russia, his comments echo recent warnings from the head of the BND about the risk of a violent clash with Moscow. The call for stronger intelligence comes after an August drone attack at a German airport that authorities linked to Russia.

Parliament is currently examining a reform bill that would grant the BfV broader authority, including active defensive measures. Dobrindt argued that Germany cannot lag behind allies such as France, Britain or the United States in intelligence capabilities. He emphasized that maintaining a leading role is essential given the evolving security challenges. The debate reflects longstanding constraints on German intelligence agencies rooted in post-World War II sensitivities.