Well worth reading this interview by the Economist....
http://www.economist.com/blogs/kaffe...ermany?zid=307



So although it is long, I am publishing the transcript of our conversation.

Among Mr Ischinger’s most striking points were his arguments that:
Germany is increasingly open to military action
Brexit makes EU defence integration easier
Germany’s deployments in Afghanistan, Mali and Lithuania mark a real turning point
NATO’s 2%-of-GDP target for defence spending is not sufficient on its own
The 2% should be replaced with a 3% target encompassing defence, foreign policy and aid
Mr Trump’s statements make it harder for European leaders to contribute more to NATO
Germany should not contemplate its own nuclear weapon
Mr Macron’s election is an “enormous and unique” opportunity to relaunch the Franco-German partnership as a model for the whole EU
The Kohl-Mitterrand era of co-operation (in the 1980s) can be (partly) revived, starting with joint military procurement
Mr Macron understands Germany “perfectly”
Germany and France should consider a rewrite of the Elysée Treaty in 2018, codifying the alliance between the two countries
Germany should consider backing EU majority voting on foreign and security affairs
Germany and France might eventually share nuclear weapons and an army, but only in the very long term#
Notions of Germany as the new leader of the liberal world are “totally unhelpful”
Russia’s current belligerence towards the West may not last
Germany and the West must keep the door open to Mr Putin
Europe and Canada cannot reform their relationship with Russia without America
Mrs Merkel’s patience and Russian language skills give her unique advantages in talks with Mr Putin
Germany must “engage, engage, engage” with Mr Trump
Mr Trump has “good and experienced pros” in his team but “believes in unpredictability as a negotiating strategy”