German Inaction in the Middle East a Concern, Says CDU/CSU Deputy Leader
In a recent interview, Norbert Röttgen, the deputy leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction, expressed concerns over Germany’s lack of influence in the Middle East. He emphasized the need for the country to take concrete steps to address the situation, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
Röttgen stressed that Germany’s fundamental interest lies in preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power, as this would fundamentally alter the regional power dynamics and go against German interests. The International Atomic Energy Agency had reported just before Israel’s attack on Iran that the country was likely only a few days away from producing weapons-grade uranium, he noted.
The CDU politician argued that the German foreign policy must now fulfill two tasks. Firstly, it must provide support to Israel within the limits of its capabilities in the face of potential Iranian attacks. Secondly, Germany, along with France and the UK, as one of the three European signatories of the 2015 nuclear agreement, must strive for a political solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
Röttgen concluded by stating that a systematic restart of Germany’s Middle East policy is necessary, as it cannot be the case that the country is practically without influence in this region.