Untested German defense minister has allies watching closely

BERLIN — Within hours of being sworn into office, Germany’s new defense minister will be expected to hold talks with the U.S. defense secretary. A day later, he will represent Germany’s armed forces at a meeting with European allies awaiting critical decisions on the war in Ukraine.

That would not be an easy first week for any new government official, let alone one familiar only with local politics, with no experience on the national or world stage.