Top German Diplomat Calls for Bundeswehr Engagement in Syria
BERLIN (Own report) - Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, is calling for the Bundeswehr's deployment in Syria. It is high time, to discuss "seriously" the creation of so-called safe havens and "no-fly zones in and around Syria," according to Ischinger. This "of course" would call for the participation of the German Armed Forces and in relationship to the deployment of ground forces, "nothing can be ruled out." Ischinger is also providing justification for going to war. Whereas Syria has been submerged in war, because of the arms supplies furnished by the West and its regional allies to insurgent militias - including Al Qaeda and the "Islamic State" (IS), this influential diplomat claims that the current "conflagration" is the consequence of Western non-intervention. These war plans are, however, a reaction to Russia's growing influence also in the Middle East. In recent months, Moscow has been holding extensive negotiations in view of settling the Syrian war. In his speech before the UN General Assembly on September 28, President Putin is expected to propose a new anti-IS coalition, with inclusion of the Syrian government. Therefore, in the framework of the Western Alliance, Berlin would like to counter Russia's growing role in international politics.
"Safe Havens" and No-Fly Zones
Wolfgang Ischinger, seen as a heavyweight in the German political establishment, is calling on Berlin and the EU to not only be able to "seriously discuss" the creation of "safe havens in Syria." The term "safe havens" has long been used to refer to the occupation of regions in northern Syria, which insurgents could use as bridgeheads for conquering all of the country. According to Ischinger, Berlin and the EU should also discuss "the possibility of no-fly zones in and around Syria." The proclamation of no-fly zones would, de-facto, lead to open warfare against the country's government - just as it did in the case of Libya. According to Ischinger, this would "of course" call for the Bundeswehr's deployment. "If the question of ground troops should arise," it would be "Syria's regional neighbors," in particular, who will have to become active. But even in this respect, Ischinger "rules out nothing." The question of the participation of German ground troops has therefore been raised. The Chairman of the Munich Security Conference merely rejects "plans for crusade-like escapades." This remark refers to the aggressive anti-Islamic propaganda used during wars in the aftermath of 2001, which would hardly be compatible with the deployment of German troops.[1]
Justification for War
Ischinger has, at the same time, formulated a justification for going to war, which, in the meantime, is also beginning to appear in German media. Referring to the abandoned western aggression on Syria, announced for late summer 2013, the veteran diplomat alleges that Syria's current "conflagration" is the "result of collective inactivity" and could have been avoided militarily.[2] In fact, the Syrian conflagration had already been sparked earlier - primarily by the West and its regional allies' continuous political and military support for the various factions of the insurgency, including al Qaeda's subsidiary, Jabhat al Nusra, and also the "Islamic State" (IS). (german-foreign-policy.com reported.[3]) All indications point to a western military intervention making the situation worse in Syria and plunging other countries - particularly Lebanon and Jordan - into ruin. Nowhere in the Islamic world have the West's wars brought the stabilization promised by their pre-war propaganda. On the contrary, they have caused the total destruction of the respective countries - Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya - and led to the destabilization of the neighboring countries (Pakistan, Tunisia, and Mali).
At Eye Level
While Ischinger is instrumentalizing the current refugee crisis to justify a possible war against Syria as an alleged prevention of "hundreds of thousands or millions more refugees arriving in our country,"[4] the real reasons for the current plans of aggression are to be found more in the emerging shift in global balances of power. This year, Russia has been able, not only to expand its global policy activities, but, greatly enhance its influence in Syria, in particular. Moscow has been holding comprehensive talks with the Syrian government and with various factions of the opposition in Syria and in exile, as well as negotiating with several Middle East countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The objective, according to Moscow, is to forge effective peace talks for Syria. (german-foreign-policy.com reported.[5]) It has been reported that, during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, September 28, President Vladimir Putin intends to propose "a global anti-terrorism coalition," with the inclusion of the Syrian government. He also wants to discuss his plan with his US counterpart -"meeting Obama at eye level."[6]
Russia's Military Presence
It has also been reported that Russia is intensifying its support for President Bashar al Assad and possibly will even reinforce its military presence in Syria. For years, Moscow has been furnishing Damascus military equipment and has military advisors in the country. It is being reported that in Jableh, to the south of the port city of Latakia, a "base of operations for aerial combat missions" is currently under construction. 25 Russian Antonov air transporters have landed in Jableh, since the beginning of September, while Russian ships have delivered more material. Hangars and shelters have been built. Observers are not ruling out the possibility "that at least 1,000 soldiers may be brought in to maintain the base."[7] It is still to be learned, whether these reports actually reflect the reality or are a propaganda coup by interested western agencies. Either way, this not only confirms Russia's growing influence in Syria, but also the West's corollary efforts to prevent its own loss of the same.
Direct Confrontation
An intervention of the Bundeswehr in Syria could lead to a further escalation of the Middle East conflagration. It would also lead to a radical expansion of conflicts between the West - still insisting on "regime change" in Syria - and Russia, which is supporting the Syrian president. Just a few days ago, US Secretary of State, John Kerry declared that by stationing Russian troops in Syria, Moscow is running the risk of direct confrontation with the US-led anti-IS Coalition.[8] Given the fact that Russia would not be fighting on the side of IS, but on the side of Assad, that confrontation could only result from the anti-IS coalition also militarily attacking Syrian government positions. This is exactly what Washington and London were have recently discussing. Ischinger's call for the Bundeswehr to join the battle in Syria, falls in line with these contemplations. Whereas the West's power struggle with Russia had previously been limited to the proxy conflict over Ukraine, in Syria, it threatens to become a direct confrontation.
[1], [2] Wolfgang Ischinger: "Bundeswehr in Syrien einsetzen". www.merkur.de 15.09.2015.
[3] See Verdeckte Kriegspartei, German War Assistance and Vom Nutzen des Jihad (I).
[4] Wolfgang Ischinger: "Bundeswehr in Syrien einsetzen". www.merkur.de 15.09.2015.
[5] See Machtkampf in Nahost.
[6], [7] Moskauer Muskelspiele. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 14.09.2015.
[8] USA warnen Russland vor Militäreingriff. www.zeit.de 06.09.2015.
