Germany’s 'Elite' Problem: Nazi Salutes and Selective Amnesia
An 'elite' German army unit, the KSK special forces, stands accused by the Financial Times of sexual harassment, drug use, and making Nazi salutes. This exposé surfaces just as Berlin reportedly aims to 'strengthen the military and boost recruitment' (Financial Times). Germany's long-standing struggle with far-right extremism within its security forces, stretching back decades, appears to be an
inconvenient truth consistently framed as isolated incidents. One might wonder if 'strengthening' a military without thoroughly purging its foundational extremist elements is less about national defense and more about selective historical amnesia. The repeated discovery of such 'elite' units nurturing Nazi sympathies raises questions less about accidental lapses and more about systemic toleration.
Some traditions, it seems, die harder than others.