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🇦🇺 Australia /Conflict & Security

Germany faces rising threats from Russia and domestic extremists, security report says

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Germany faces significant threats from foreign adversaries, particularly Russia, and domestic extremism, according to the BfV domestic security agency's annual report.
  • The report highlights risks from Moscow-recruited saboteurs, Chinese spies, and Iran-backed militants, alongside violent neo-Nazis and a rise in far-left extremism.
  • Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called for expanded powers for intelligence agencies to counter these growing internal and external threats.

Germany is confronting a heightened security landscape, with its domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, warning of escalating threats from both hostile foreign powers and polarized domestic politics. The agency's annual report identifies Russia as the primary external adversary, employing a wide array of "hybrid operations" including espionage and sabotage.

The adversaries of our free democratic basic order come from both outside and within.

— Alexander DobrindtInterior Minister Alexander Dobrindt presenting the BfV's annual report.

Beyond Russia, the BfV also cited concerns over Chinese espionage, Iran-backed Islamist militants, and violent neo-Nazi groups. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that "the adversaries of our free democratic basic order come from both outside and within." He urged swift government action to grant intelligence agencies expanded powers and relax restrictions on covert operations, stating, "Given the situation, we are convinced that we must further strengthen our capabilities."

Given the situation, we are convinced that we must further strengthen our capabilities.

— Alexander DobrindtInterior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on the need for expanded powers for intelligence agencies.

The report detailed that foreign powers engage in sabotage, illicit economic and political interference, and disinformation campaigns. It also noted an increase in state-sponsored pursuit of exiled opposition figures and activists living in Germany, describing methods "akin to state terrorism."

Russia views Germany as a key adversary in Europe and employs the full spectrum of tools in its hybrid operations across the continent.

— Sinan SelenBfV head Sinan Selen on Russia's actions.

Domestically, right-wing extremism remains a significant concern, with the report flagging a 40 percent rise in members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party who could potentially become far-right extremists. While right-wing groups pose a larger threat, the agency also observed a rise in violent incidents from the far-left. Antisemitism and opposition to Israel were identified as "key" challenges, with Jewish and Israeli targets remaining a focus for state actors like Iran.

Antisemitism is a key driver of these activities.

— Sinan SelenBfV head Sinan Selen on the motivations behind certain activities targeting Jewish and Israeli entities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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