https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The German army has begun sending out the first wave of military service letters to 18-year-olds. Here's a look at who is affected, what's being asked and what it means for young Germans and dual nationals. https://www.thelocal.de/20260116/everything-you-need-to-know-about-germanys-new-military-service-letters Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:01:46 +0100 everything-you-need-to-know-about-germanys-new-military-service-letters The German army is raising eyebrows with a controversial recruitment strategy that some claim makes military service look like a vacation. https://www.thelocal.de/20120918/45035 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:18:00 +0200 45035 The vast majority of Germany's military leaders are unhappy with reforms reducing the size of the army and scrapping compulsory military service, a survey shows. https://www.thelocal.de/20120907/44833 Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:45:00 +0200 44833 A new survey suggests that Germans have not yet decided whether they would like to see the end of conscription. https://www.thelocal.de/20100731/28863 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:59:00 +0200 28863 After a short pause to digest the departure last week of Hamburg’s mayor Ole von Buest, the fighting within the two conservative parties has gathered pace again, with a concerted attack on Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. https://www.thelocal.de/20100724/28719 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:23:00 +0200 28719