New figures on extremism in German military ′tip of the iceberg′

Germany’s top military intelligence agency has announced a 30% increase in suspected extremists within its ranks. Analysts say the figures indicate a deeper problem.

Germany’s top military intelligence agency is currently investigating over 500 cases of suspected right-wing extremism within the country’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr. That number marks an uptick of 30% from the previous year, according to the agency’s director.

Those figures are likely just the “tip of the iceberg,” Caroline Walter, co-author of “Extreme Security” (Extreme Sicherheit), a book on right-wing extremism within Germany’s military and its law enforcement agencies, told DW.

“The problem in the Bundeswehr is that whoever points out right-wing extremism is still a backstabber who’s violating the spirit of the brigade,” she said.