Germany’s Merz Urges Stronger BND Action to Tackle Hybrid Threats

2025-09-14 08:43:23

(MENAFN) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized Thursday that the country's intelligence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), must intensify efforts to tackle hybrid threats posed by foreign adversaries.

"Given the responsibility we bear due to our size and economic strength in Europe, the BND should operate at the highest level in terms of intelligence," Merz stated at the inauguration of the BND's new president, Martin Jaeger.

"We want the BND to collaborate excellently with our other security agencies and the German armed forces (Bundeswehr), as well as with intelligence partners internationally," Merz added. He further highlighted the heightened urgency of the current security situation, claiming it is more critical than at any time in post-war history.

Martin Jaeger, a seasoned diplomat who recently served as Germany’s ambassador to Ukraine, officially took over the BND leadership from Bruno Kahl, who led the agency for nearly a decade.

Jaeger's distinguished career also includes roles as German ambassador to Afghanistan (2013-2014) and Iraq (2021-2023). In addition, he held key positions as state secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (2018-2021) and press spokesman for former Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble (2014-2016).

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