05/31/2026: Germany Rearms, Freezing the Biological Clock

05/31/2026: Germany Rearms, Freezing the Biological Clock

From 60 Minutes by CBS News

June 1, 2026 · 41 min

About this episode

The episode discusses Germany's military rearmament in response to the Ukraine war and explores the trend of egg freezing among women in the U.S.

Germany is racing to rearm as the war in Ukraine shakes its sense of security, forcing the country to confront its military past as it strengthens its military might. Correspondent Bill Whitaker observes basic training in northwest Germany and speaks with defense minister Boris Pistorius in Berlin to find out how Germany plans to achieve its aim of building the most powerful armed forces in Europe. Fertility rates in the United States are currently near historic lows, largely because fewer women are having children in their 20s. As women delay starting families, many are opting for egg freezing, the process of retrieving and freezing unfertilized eggs, to preserve their fertility for the future. Does egg freezing provide women with a way to pause their biological clock? Correspondent Lesley Stahl interviews women who have decided to freeze their eggs and explores what the process entails physically, emotionally and financially. She also speaks with fertility specialists and an ethicist about success rates, equity issues and the increasing market potential of egg freezing.

People in this episode

Hosts: Bill Whitaker, Lesley Stahl

Guest: Boris Pistorius

Topics covered

  • military rearmament
  • fertility
  • egg freezing
  • women's health
  • Ukraine conflict
  • Germany's military history

Keywords

  • Germany
  • military
  • egg freezing
  • fertility rates
  • women's health
  • Boris Pistorius
  • Bill Whitaker
  • Lesley Stahl
  • Ukraine

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Germany, United States

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