Germany’s rearmament push runs through America

WASHINGTON — German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius came to the Pentagon on Wednesday with a dilemma: Berlin wants a stronger, more self-reliant European military, but much of what it needs comes from the United States. Pistorius is in the U.S. this week after earlier being rebuffed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Berlin is seeking direct access to the Trump administration during a period of growing uncertainty over Washington's military role in Europe. "Germany is strengthening its defense capabilities and acts as a driving force in Europe," Pistorius said at the Pentagon alongside Hegseth. "We Europeans want to take some of the burden off the U.S. and assume primary responsibility for conventional deterrence in Europe over time.