German Defense Minister Visits the Middle East

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius traveled to the Middle East on December 11 to visit Jordan and Iraq, where German troops are stationed. Although the trip was scheduled prior to the upheaval in Syria, Pistorius now plans to discuss Germany’s contributions to stabilize the region with the Iraqi defense minister and the commander of the nato mission in Iraq.

Military mission: The Bundeswehr has around 300 soldiers in international stabilization missions in Iraq and Jordan. One of its goals is to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. This mission is now regaining importance.

The road ahead of Syria is not short and not easy, but it is one that we should accompany. [Syria must] not once again become a pawn of external powers such as Russia, Iran or Hezbollah.
—Boris Pistorius

Confronting Iran: One of Germany’s primary goals in the Middle East is to keep Iran at bay. To learn more, read “The Hidden Danger in Germany’s ‘Alliance Against Iran.’”