Germany expands BND powers to counter Russian hybrid threats

Germany’s cabinet approved a reform to empower the foreign intelligence service (BND) with offensive and operational powers—such as sabotage, cyber operations and more aggressive espionage—along with relaxed data-protection rules and increased funding, aiming to counter Russia’s hybrid threats and reduce dependence on U.S. intelligence sharing. The changes must pass Parliament and could take effect by 2027, in response to security challenges highlighted by incidents like the Leipzig drone attack.