By the mid-2020s Germany has faced the full-scale reduction of its military presence and decline in its political–diplomatic activity in key areas of instability in the Middle East and in Africa north to the equator. Even as Berlin has been focusing on the deterrence of Russia in Europe, these policy trends have had important repercussions for Germany. They have impeded creation of global strategic presence and the capacity to counter various security threats in their areas of origin. The article explores the specifics and problems of Germany’s use of political–diplomatic tools and the Bundeswehr in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, as well as in Libya and Mali. It notes the low results of the Bundeswehr`s antiterrorist activity. It also explores the pitfalls of German diplomacy in its attempts to achieve reconciliation in several conflict areas. As the Palestinian–Israeli conflict got “unfrozen” since October 7, 2023, Germany has hardened its position on Iran, while demonstrating solidarity with official Tel Aviv and at the same time fearing to worsen its relations with the Arab states. It is concluded that Germany’s policy of linking together conflict resolution and containment of its non-Western opponents has been counterproductive.
Philipp Trunov (Wed,) studied this question.