Ursula von der Leyen does not believe in wasting time. Since becoming Germany’s defense minister on December 17, she has shaken up the top ranks in her ministry. She intends to introduce child-care facilities for families serving in the military. Above all, she has spoken about the future role of Germany’s armed forces. They must, she believes, become more engaged in international missions.

During a speech on January 31 at the Munich Security Conference, von der Leyen made it clear that Germany as well as Europe as a whole had to take much more responsibility for their security and defense.

“European nations ought to be prepared to take over a fair share of the transatlantic burden,” she told her audience. “Germany is ready to contribute to this endeavor. . . . Indifference is never an option—neither from a security perspective nor from a humanitarian perspective,” she added.