December 25, 2015
In a huge break with two-thirds of a century of foreign policy, Germany has now stationed military aircraft—but not combat planes—in the Persian Gulf. The planes are tanker aircraft that last week started refueling combat aircraft from other countries as they fly attack missions against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Germany also has a frigate in the region serving as part of the guard force around the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. German reconnaissance aircraft will begin flying surveillance missions next month. This is the first significant deployment abroad of German military units since World War II. The Islamic Republic constantly assails the US Navy presence in the Persian Gulf, saying foreign navies have no right to be there. But is has been mute about the new French and German presence.