, Columnist
Why a German Warship Would Head To the Taiwan Strait
A naval mission to the region would be a low-risk way for Germany to show that it’s committed to alliances – and that it still has a navy.
Signal at sea.
Photographer: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
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Politico has reported that high-level discussions are underway in Berlin about sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait, following similar U.S. and French excursions that challenged China’s claim to the waterway. It shows the German establishment is worried about the U.S. perception of Germany as a less than reliable ally and about France’s transparent ambition to be the European Union’s leading military power.
At the same time, the Taiwan plan is clear evidence that Germany doesn’t want to take any risks or invest too much in tackling these issues.