However, the fundamental aims of German foreign policy are more important than these personal factors. Notwithstanding its military weakness compared to the U.S., Germany, as an imperialist country, pursues its own economic and political interests in the Gulf.
As we wrote prior to the German elections on the sudden shift of Schröder and Fischer to vocal opposition to an Iraq war, “Washington’s inclination to act without regard for allies, international institutions like the U.N. or international law has caused Berlin to fear for German interests.”
Since the days of former chancellor Helmut Kohl (CDU), Germany has been counterposing a common European foreign and security policy to Washington’s drive for hegemony. On the eve of the impending war against Iraq, this project lies in tatters. The European positions range from unconditional agreement (Britain and Spain) to tactical manoeuvring (France) to nominal opposition (Germany and Greece). From this stems the fear of international “isolation”, which the German government attempts to avert by adapting itself to the US in the Security Council.
The final motive for the about-face of the SPD and the Greens is rooted in domestic policies. The number of unemployed and the scale of the budget deficit have reached record levels. The economy is stagnating and the effects of a war threaten to cause violent social convulsions.
As we wrote prior to the German elections on the sudden shift of Schröder and Fischer to vocal opposition to an Iraq war, “Washington’s inclination to act without regard for allies, international institutions like the U.N. or international law has caused Berlin to fear for German interests.”
Since the days of former chancellor Helmut Kohl (CDU), Germany has been counterposing a common European foreign and security policy to Washington’s drive for hegemony. On the eve of the impending war against Iraq, this project lies in tatters. The European positions range from unconditional agreement (Britain and Spain) to tactical manoeuvring (France) to nominal opposition (Germany and Greece). From this stems the fear of international “isolation”, which the German government attempts to avert by adapting itself to the US in the Security Council.
The final motive for the about-face of the SPD and the Greens is rooted in domestic policies. The number of unemployed and the scale of the budget deficit have reached record levels. The economy is stagnating and the effects of a war threaten to cause violent social convulsions.