By Plain Truth Staff
The Plain Truth | October 20, 2025
In today’s noon broadcast, Bob Barney discusses just what it means with Japan and Germany which are dramatically increasing their military spending, signaling a major shift in global defense dynamics that some critics warn could have dangerous consequences reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s.
Japan- historically pacifist since the end of World War II- recently unveiled what officials described as an “ambitious new defense strategy,” citing escalating threats from China and North Korea. The plan calls for a 60% increase in defense spending by 2027, making Japan’s defense budget the third largest in the world, behind only the United States and China. Germany now ranks fourth.
This rapid rearmament comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and increasing instability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Constitutional Shift in Japan
Japan’s postwar constitution, written under the direction of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, included Article 9, under which the country renounced war as a sovereign right. For decades, this article limited Japan to a defensive “Self-Defense Force.”
That posture is changing. Tokyo has announced plans to acquire Tomahawk cruise missiles and to develop counterstrike capabilities, a marked break from its pacifist past. Japanese leaders have argued that this shift is necessary as North Korea launches missiles over Japanese territory and China expands its military power.
Germany Ends Its “Peace Dividend”
Germany is also rearming at a pace not seen since World War II. Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared earlier this year that the “peace dividend is over,” referring to the economic benefits European nations reaped for decades by keeping defense spending low.
Germany’s increased investment reflects growing unease in Europe about Russian aggression and the perceived waning of U.S. security guarantees.
A Legacy of War
Both nations were Axis powers in World War II. Their rapid military build-ups have raised concerns among analysts and commentators who recall how their expansionist policies once destabilized the world.
“The two last allies in World War II that stood against America and the West were Germany and Japan. And now they are the third and fourth largest military spenders behind the United States and China,” Barney said in his podcast playing today at NOON, warning that “defense soon can turn into offense.”
Trump-Era Burden-Sharing
Barney tied the current developments to U.S. policy under former President Donald Trump, who pressed NATO allies to “pay their fair share” for defense and encouraged U.S. allies in Asia to strengthen their own military capabilities.
While supporters saw this as a way to reduce U.S. financial burdens, critics argue it has accelerated rearmament in nations once restricted from large-scale militarization.
A Prophetic Lens
Barney’s commentary also connected current geopolitical events to biblical prophecy, warning of a future “revived Holy Roman Empire” centered in Europe. He argued that U.S. disengagement could lead to a realignment of global power, with Europe and Japan eventually asserting themselves militarily on the world stage.
“This is what happens when you don’t learn from your history,” he said. “Germany is rearming, Japan is rearming, and the United States is the reason-they’re being forced to defend themselves.”
Rising Global Tensions
While mainstream geopolitical analysts may not share Barney’s prophetic framing, there is broad agreement that the world is entering a more heavily armed era.
As Japan and Germany reassert their military roles, their neighbors- particularly in East Asia and Eastern Europe- are watching closely. The shift raises fundamental questions about deterrence, historical memory, and the balance of global power in the decades ahead.