ORIENT IV 2025 – Focus: German Security Policy in the MENA region

Dear ORIENT readers,

As the year goes on one thing becomes clearer: the balance of powers is falling off its axis. Germany, famous for its projection of soft power in recent decades, now must reconsider that approach. First announced to be changing in Olaf Scholz’s ‘Zeitenwende’ speech, this referred to Germany’s changing security policy, with a concentration on the continued threat of Russia. However, this change in German security policy may affect its relationship to countries in the MENA region more.This is apparent on several fronts; Jan Claudius Völkel and Benjamin Zyla discuss Germany’s image, to both itself and the world, as a “civilian power”. How compatible is this when much of the MENA region is moving towards a more authoritarian approach. Raluca Moldovan keys in on migration as an aspect of security policy. A much-discussed issue of modern western politics, Moldovan writes on how Germany’s internal and external policies are often contradictory and counter-intuitive. Megan Elizabeth Gisclon focuses on Germany’s relationship with Türkiye. Germany’s oldest, and possibly most important relationship in the MENA region, it is one of incredible complexity. How can we expect this to change going forward, if we should have expectations at all? Esra Ağralı’s article covers Germany’s diplomatic efforts with a focus on climate security since 2020. The blending of Germany’s civilian identity with normative power having been key in their attempt to be a leading actor against the climate crisis. Lastly, Gawdat Bahgat takes a holistic approach to discussing Germany’s security policy in the region. Covering issues from finance to energy security and regions from Algeria to Iran, Bahgat takes a bird’s eye view of the issue. The world continues to be unpredictable, and we do not promise to predict the future either. However, we do hope to give you a glimpse into how Germany’s role in the MENA region may change, and that you find this issue engaging and informative.