The wars in Gaza and Ukraine have pushed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to make a string of major security decisions. Growing tensions with China and Iran — and pressure from the White House — have added to Germany’s strategic concerns. Now Merz says it's time to overhaul how Berlin responds to crises. He’s proposing Germany’s first-ever National Security Council — a move aimed at speeding up decision-making at the highest level. The plan, set to go before his cabinet this week, would bring