Extended Commentary: Stunde None

This piece thinks through German security policy vis-à-vis the Ukraine conflict. Olaf Scholz delivered a remarkable speech on February 27–a brilliant piece of oratory, reflective of the thoughtfulness of the past decades of German politics. It might be time, though, for the country to really follow through on its spirit and not let “Stunde Null” turn into “Stunde None.” We need Germany – a democratic nation with a reasoned political discourse. It need shy away from nothing in terms of the defense of democracy on the international stage.