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Bombshell: US calling for German ground troops in Syria.
dw.com/en/us-calls-fo…
dw.com/en/us-calls-fo…
Until now Germany has balanced between support of the U.S. and the determination to stay out of the actual fighting in Syria. It has engaged in training, arms supply, reconnaissance, air refueling. The soft side of hard power. /1
This American demand highlights German dilemma. It has not clear strategy in Syria, instead it is engaged in support of its main ally, the U.S. As so often, Germany has responded to demands — while being careful not to awaken anti-war sentiments at home. /2
Putting German troops on the ground would end this carefully calibrated approach aimed at calming allies and domestic public. In order to agree to this demand, the government would have to make a case in favour of serious military engagement in Syria -- based on a strategy. /3
That's very unlikely to happen. It may well be that US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey — who knows Germany quite well — has decided to single out Germany publicly in order to test where the country stands, forcing the government to take a stance. /4
This episode again shows that Germany's traditional approach to military intervention -- giving the main allies U.S. and France a certain percentage of what they demand -- has come to its limits. Germany is too big and central, and France and U.S. are increasingly frustrated. /5
SPD -- coalition partner of Merkel's CDU/CSU --, FDP, Greens, Left party all reject German ground troops in Syria. spiegel.de/politik/deutsc…
