The Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Germany's foreign intelligence agency, faces increasing marginalization in the international geopolitical context in 2025. Once celebrated as a central pillar of Western intelligence cooperation, the service is struggling with structural deficits, technological backwardness, and political restrictions that weaken its role in the global security environment. Experts, reports from the Federal Court of Auditors, and discussions on platforms like X paint a picture of an intelligence service losing influence compared to partners such as the CIA, MI6, or Israel's Mossad. The reasons are diverse: lack of funding, bureaucratic shackles, scandals, and the changed geopolitical landscape. Historical context and current challenges Founded in 1956, the BND was an indispensable partner for the USA and NATO during the Cold War, particularly through its expertise in the Soviet Union and the GDR. After 1990, the focus shifted to combating terrorism, cyber threats, and hybrid warfare. However, in 2025, the service faces challenges that affect its…