Germany’s National Security Council, created to centralize crisis governance, held its first meeting and approved an action plan to counter hybrid threats, with a focus on protecting critical infrastructure like power grids, water systems, and energy pipelines.

The council will coordinate across government ministries, security services, and the private sector, aiming to develop an interdepartmental plan and strengthen resilience for critical raw materials and strategic dependencies.

NATO leadership downplayed the significance of the US troop withdrawal from Romania, describing the adjustments as routine and not overinterpreted.

The discourse around security also touches asylum policy and deportation rules, including Syrians and voluntary returns for Afghans, reflecting broader immigration-security debates.

The withdrawal from Europe occurs in the context of a broader US reassessment of force posture to address China, while keeping overall European force levels above pre-2022 levels.

NSC proceedings are publicly communicated on a case-by-case basis, with sessions typically held in secrecy and public briefings contingent on government discretion.

Recent remarks include Zelensky thanking Merz for Patriot air defense support to Kyiv, underscoring ongoing war-related developments linked to Germany’s security posture.

Historical context notes that similar security coordination efforts stalled two decades ago due to inter-ministerial competence disputes; current leadership under Merz is reportedly resolving those rivalries.

The council will convene in crises, issue overarching security policy recommendations, and can make final decisions where not constrained by constitutional or federal law.

As part of coalition commitments, the NSC will supersede the Bundessicherheitsrat and take over arms export approvals, centralizing national security and defense decision-making within the Chancellery.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz chairs the NSC, with permanent members including ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Interior, Justice, Economy, Development, Digital Affairs, and the Head of the Chancellery; ministers and officials from security and international partners may join as needed.

Germany has authorized police to shoot down drones that pose an acute public threat, illustrating a tightened security stance amid hybrid threat concerns.