>

Invest in defense.
The best time to build a modern army was 20 years ago, the second best time is today.
"The leader of Europe" my ass >

The Germans were effectively neutered in '45.  Partially by being occupied by the Soviets and the Western Allies, but mostly by having a lot of young men lying dead between Berlin and Moscow.  
Modern Germany couldn't lead a Girl Scout Troop across a playground.  They're a has-been power like Spain and the Netherlands, whose primary national defense is the United States.  What Germany says carries the weight of a pillow. >

Germany had 4,500 tanks in 1990, with heavy tanks about 2,000. Today there are 220 heavy tanks, half of them defunct. What do you suggest?