Converting History into Hard Power: A Polish-German Reckoning (warontherocks.com)

• 70% of Polish citizens view German atonement as inadequate
• Reparations influence regional perceptions of German leadership
• Historical friction threatens NATO integration and resilience

"Polish-German security cooperation within NATO is increasingly constrained by unresolved historical claims regarding World War II damages. With approximately 70 percent of the Polish public viewing Germany's historical atonement as insufficient, Berlin's aspirations to lead European security efforts face significant skepticism in Warsaw. This unresolved ledger acts as a structural barrier to deeper integration. As the United States shifts focus toward the Indo-Pacific, the absence of a shared historical narrative threatens to undermine the cohesion of the European defense apparatus and Warsaw's willingness to support German-led initiatives."