The Eternal Tango of German 'Values' and Gulf Gas
Same playbook, different decade: FIRST INSTANCE: The 'Ethics' of Convenience (1970s). Germany, much like its Western allies, developed a habit of overlooking human rights abuses in resource-rich nations long before Merz's itinerary was even conceived. Post-oil shock in 1973, European nations rapidly pivoted to securing energy supplies, often from regimes with abysmal human rights records. The
'ethical foreign policy' of the Brandt era, for instance, largely focused on détente with the East while quietly fostering economic ties with petro-states. The rhetoric of 'change through convergence' conveniently excluded uncomfortable truths about Gulf monarchies. REPETITIONS: The Arms Race with a Smile (2000s & 2010s). Germany, a major arms exporter, has consistently navigated its 'ethical'
arms export guidelines with surprising flexibility when lucrative contracts are on the table. In 2013, despite public criticism, Germany sold Leopard 2 tanks to Qatar, a nation not exactly known for its vibrant democracy. Later, in 2015, Berlin approved significant arms exports to Saudi Arabia, a move that drew condemnation from human rights groups, yet continued, albeit with intermittent pauses,
even as the Saudi-led coalition's actions in Yemen became widely documented. Total German arms exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) between 2000 and 2020 reached billions of euros (SIPRI, 2021). Curious, isn't it, how 'values' don't seem to apply to armored vehicles? OUTCOMES: The 'Strategic Partnership' Shell Game. Each time, the outcome is predictable: Germany secures its energy needs