In my view, the Fourth Reich has already arisen. I agree with the many posters who see this "rise" as an economic one. I don't see Germany trying to conquer militarily but rather assuming their place as one of the world's most enlightened, prosperous, and forward-thinking nations. Deuschland,Deutschland uber alles in dem Welt!!!

I've been to Germany many times. It really is a beautiful country and the people were so wonderful to interact with. I doubt modern Germans would tolerate finding themselves on the wrong side of history yet again. If there is another German empire it will be economic, not military. Just my thoughts.

Originally Posted by HaChayal

I doubt modern Germans would tolerate finding themselves on the wrong side of history yet again.

I agree, at least I want to agree and hope it won't happen again...

Surely Germany has risen , has it not?

Well one thing you might consider is that the old left-liberal '68 generation is dieing and their children live on social help because they now realize that their liberal way of educating children just... well... failed to say it friendly.
So the situation in Germany might change to a rather conservative position under the new defense minister. But the "Entnazifizierung" was very effective! There will most defenitely be no 4th Reich.
I hope some day we will get our balls back, and there will be a time when German Officers will be respected again- not spit at (that really happens a lot in Germany). As German Soldier you actually earn more respect from Countries who were our fiercest Enemies in War-time, than from German ppl. Sounds weird but sadly that is true. Though I think there is a positive evolvement of things...

Same with us.
Only Americans like us.

Originally Posted by SAINT

The situation that bad? Can't Germans be proud of their country openly?

Yes....but German friends I've had did not want to go down that road again.
I don't think a leader who's looking at war and conquest as what Germany needs...would have any broad credibility. Germany was prepared to fight back when the Warsaw pact was a threat...and right next door. However...that's a much different perspective.

The situation is similar with Japan. Like Germany, they are doing better with peace then they did with aggression.

I agree wholeheartedly. The Germany of today leads Europe, highly respected opinion and position; the last thing it needs are reminders of its revolting past. It is its stand on bon-firing such horrors that give Germany its powerful voice. It needs bombast and aggresssion like a hole in the head.

Originally Posted by ObjSRgtLw

Well one thing you might consider is that the old left-liberal '68 generation is dieing and their children live on social help because they now realize that their liberal way of educating children just... well... failed to say it friendly.
So the situation in Germany might change to a rather conservative position under the new defense minister. But the "Entnazifizierung" was very effective! There will most defenitely be no 4th Reich.
I hope some day we will get our balls back, and there will be a time when German Officers will be respected again- not spit at (that really happens a lot in Germany). As German Soldier you actually earn more respect from Countries who were our fiercest Enemies in War-time, than from German ppl. Sounds weird but sadly that is true. Though I think there is a positive evolvement of things...

I hope that one day the German armed forces can get the respect from the people that you deserve. You have a very responsible proven military. I had the great honor to be posted for a year to the German Navy in 1986 and I would specifically say that the German NCO's in my opinion are the best educated in the world. You can remove all officers from any German unit and it will still be fighting skillfully.

Germany has really learned from the past and I find it only natural that Germany today stands as the leader of Europe. We have nothing to be afraid of. Germany is today a country which has proven its responsibilities.

Originally Posted by Seehund

I hope that one day the German armed forces can get the respect from the people that you deserve.

I doubt that this could happen during my lifetime. Since the Soccer Word Championship in 2006 people seem to get a little bit prouder of their country and even if there is no sports event you can see a flag here or there, but the armed forces at best could count on a ‘friendly indifference’ of the people. I am proud of my uniform and my country and nobody can change that.