Germany’s engagement in the resolution of the Syrian conflict

Abstract:

German Tornado Recce aircraft was engaged in reconnaissance operations over Syria since January 2016. In December 2015 the German government and parliament decided that up to 1,200 Bundeswehr soldiers would take part in the international coalition fighting Islamic State in Syria.

This decision marked a new chapter in Germany’s activity in the Middle East. The increasing destabilisation of the southern neighbourhood and the consequences this had for the EU and Germany forced the German government to increase its level of engagement in the region. Even though Germany was a third-rate player in the Middle Eastern game, it was nonetheless ever more engaged politically and wanted to be viewed as a neutral mediator between the competing actors in the region.

It also allocated more funds on regional development co-operation and humanitarian aid. Germany, whose attention was directed towards Europe’s eastern neighbourhood, turned its attention to the South. The Middle East (and Africa) took on increasing significance in German foreign and security policy. This might have affected NATO’s eastern flank and the EU’s eastern neighbourhood since part of Germany’s instruments and funds might have been redirected to the South.