The German interior minister warns that the “shadow war” surpasses the threats seen during the Cold War

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned on Monday, October 12, 2026, in Berlin that the “shadow war” facing Germany is greater in scale than the Cold War and seeks to fundamentally destabilize the country. The statements were made at a conference organized by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), dedicated to threats posed by foreign powers, terrorism and extremism.

Dobrindt argued that Germany must strengthen its intelligence services and remain “at the forefront” of developing security capabilities. The minister said the country cannot afford to be a second- or third-rate player in this field.

The warning comes after the head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service, the BND, said this month that Germany risks entering into a violent conflict with Moscow. In August, a failed attack involving an explosives-laden drone targeting a German airport prompted authorities to call for expanded intelligence-service powers; the incident was attributed to Russia.

A bill to reform Germany’s intelligence services is currently being examined by parliamentary committees, following its first reading in September. The services were established after World War II and have traditionally had more limited powers than those of Western allies.