Talk show: tank debate at "Anne Will": Controversial thesis on the war

Olaf Scholz (SPD) was tactical for a long time, and as of this week it is clear: Germany will deliver to Ukraine Leopard 2 main battle tank. Was that the right decision? The step also occupied the round at “Anne Will” on Sunday evening.

“Anne Will” – These guests were there

“Anne Will”: At Scholz, spirits differ

The group spent a good portion of the time chatting up scholz to deal with. The chancellor found an advocate in Mascolo. “He didn’t want to deliver battle tanks without the Americans doing it,” explained the author of the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. Mascolo credited the chancellor with the fact that US President Joe Biden is now doing just that. “Olaf Scholz didn’t do it all that badly.”

Carlo Masala was more skeptical. The political scientist was also satisfied with the result. However, have that Reputation suffered in the Eastern and Central European countries. It is also incomprehensible why leopard exports by other states were not approved at an early stage. And finally, Scholz did not perceive the European leadership role: “It has been shown that we depend on the USA as a security guarantor,” criticized Masala.

“Anne Will”: Marina Weisband scores with a controversial thesis

Janine Wissler criticized that always only talked about weapons, but not about diplomacy will. The aim must be to end the war as quickly as possible. There should be more negotiations on this, demanded Wissler. And be it by first talking about the first small steps like protection zones, says the leader of the left. This sparked a debate.

Marina Weisband agreed with Wissler – at least as far as the goal of ending the war as quickly as possible was concerned. The German-Ukrainian author formulated the controversial thesis that the USA and Germany might no interest in a quick end had. Ukraine should win, but slowly – “perhaps to weaken Russia,” Weisband speculated.

Anne Will – More information about the talk show & moderator

The publicist connected that with a fundamental criticism of the war aims of the West. These are unclear, said Weisband. On the one hand, that seemed a misguided criticism – after all, the progress of the war is uncertain and those involved would probably make a strategic mistake if they disclosed their scenarios. On the other hand, Weisband made a point: Precisely because the goals are undefined, the extent of the necessary support is also worth discussing. That also explains debates like the one recently about the tank issue. You might also be interested in: Leopard Delivery: Why Every “Red Line” Gets Crossed

“Anne Will”: The West’s balancing act to avoid escalation

Carlo Masala opposed this argument, at least in part. The political scientist recalls that the arms deliveries prevented Ukraine from ceasing to exist. “It’s about prolonging the war in order to save human lives.” An actually absurd statement that is quite correct in this case, if you consider what was going on under Russian occupation Bucha has happened.

Georg Mascolo also took the wind out of the sails of Weisband’s argument by addressing the difficult ones balancing act of the Wests remembered. On the one hand, Vladimir Putin’s attempted land grab under a nuclear threat must be allowed to fail. On the other hand, one should not risk a complete escalation. A dilemma that can explain the sometimes indecisive support. Also interesting: “Anne Will”: “Vladimir Putin will not give up”

The conclusion

This edition of “Anne Will” made it clear how complicated the situation was almost twelve months after the beginning of the war is. A certain humility can be derived from this: the decisions that a Scholz has to make are far-reaching. Perhaps it’s perfectly reasonable that he shouldn’t meet her without careful consideration. also read: “Anne Will”: Talk show is discontinued after 16 years

For the edition of “Anne Will” in the ARD media library

Anne Will: This is how past programs ran

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