Germany’s Reform of Foreign & Military Intelligence

Following Russia’s war against Ukraine, Germany unlocked billions of Euros to strengthen its defence sector. Next up is national security: A new draft bill seeks to turn Germany’s foreign intelligence service, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), into an operational powerhouse with new offensive cyber and investigatory powers. Key military equipment and expertise might also come under the BND's command.

The yet unpublished draft legislation significantly reduces the barriers for government access to data, cuts back independent oversight and allows the domestic use of some of these powers. 

This merits further scrutiny. I have invited Florian Flade, a renowned investigative journalist, to shed light on the government’s plan for foreign intelligence reform. He specialises in national security working for Germany’s public-service broadcasting network ARD. He is also the only known journalist to date with direct access to the comprehensive draft legislation. We will discuss whether the envisaged reform strengthens Germany’s national security or weakens the foundation of its democracy.