France and Germany to Europe’s Rescue? / German parliament approves anti-IS Bundeswehr mission in Syria

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Series Details 30.11.15
Publication Date 30/11/2015
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Amid the current gloom and deficit of self-confidence in Europe, there is something that could give Europe a much-needed fillip. It is the Franco-German relationship.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s quick decision in November 2015 to provide France with a frigate, four to six Tornado jets, refueling aircraft, and at least 1,000 soldiers to help fight the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Syria is not only about strengthening ties between Berlin and Paris. It is also about rescuing Europe from tearing itself apart.

Following the terrorist attack in Paris on 13 November 2015 France invoked a mutual solidarity clause in the Lisbon Treaty requiring EU member states to provide military assistance. In this context Germany decided to join the fight against IS in support of France. This was announced by the German government on the 30 November 2015, dependent upon a vote in the German parliament (a parallel development happened in the UK).

The German Bundestag debated the issue on the 2 December 2015, and voted in favour of the deployment on the 4 December 2015.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=62118
Related Links
EUObserver, 30.11.15: Germany to send 1,200 military to Middle East https://euobserver.com/foreign/131306
ESO: Background information: The Unbearable Lightness of European Defense http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-unbearable-lightness-of-european-defense/
ESO: Background information: Collective solidarity with France must transform into collective action against ISIS http://www.europeansources.info/record/collective-solidarity-with-france-must-transform-into-collective-action-against-isis/
ESO: Background information: Hollande’s emerging war strategy http://www.europeansources.info/record/hollandes-emerging-war-strategy/
Die Welt, 01.12.15: Germany's Syria mission lacks clear mandate (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE174116-Germany-s-Syria-mission-lacks-clear-mandate
Deutsche Welle, 30.12.15: Germany moots pact with some of Assad's forces to fight 'Islamic State' http://dw.com/p/1HEuH
Deutsche Welle, 29.11.15: German army could deploy 1,200 soldiers to Syria: report http://dw.com/p/1HEE3
The Local.de, 01.12.15: Germans fear terrorism if army fights in Syria http://www.thelocal.de/20151201/germany-fear-terrorism-if-army-fights-in-syria
The Local.de, 26.11.15: German air force will join French planes over Syria http://www.thelocal.de/20151126/german-forces-will-back-france-in-syria-fight
BBC News, 01.12.15: Syria conflict: German cabinet approves IS mission http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34973286
EurActiv, 01.12.15: German military intervention in Syria legal, lawyers rule http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/german-military-intervention-syria-legal-lawyers-rule-320009
Der Standard, 02.12.15: Syria mission: Merkel in the solidarity trap (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE174227-Syria-mission-Merkel-in-the-solidarity-trap
Deutsche Welle, 02.12.15: Bundestag debates Bundeswehr mission in Syria http://dw.com/p/1HFe1
The Local.de, 03.12.15: 5 questions Germany must answer about Syria http://www.thelocal.de/20151203/5-questions-germany-must-answer-about-syria
Deutsche Welle, 04.12.15: German parliament approves anti-IS Bundeswehr mission in Syria http://dw.com/p/1HHQP
BBC News, 04.12.15: Syria conflict: German MPs vote for anti-IS military mission http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35002733
The Conversation, 04.12.15: Why Germany’s decision to join the fight against Islamic State is so significant – and misguided https://theconversation.com/why-germanys-decision-to-join-the-fight-against-islamic-state-is-so-significant-and-misguided-51631
Euro|Topics: Who's Saying What: Can the IS be bombed out of existence? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/debatten/links-2015-12-isluftangriffe/
ECFR: Commentary, 10.12.15: Germany, France & Syria: Berlin’s calculated solidarity http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_germany_france_syria_berlins_calculated_solidarity_4057

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