Perhaps an ad-hoc mission among European friends? The U.K. has been talking to the big EU countries, asking them to contribute, according to EU diplomats. There were some positive signs from Rome, but the question of whether the Bundeswehr should contribute to such a mission is the most hotly debated issue in Germany at the moment, and the first challenge for new Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Germany, proud of its export champion status, might have its own stake in the freedom of navigation at sea after all.
But the U.K. seeking American support killed any (slim though it was) chance that the junior German coalition partner, the SPD, would agree to issuing marching special lead orders. Acting SPD Bundestag group leader Rolf Mützenich told Süddeutsche Zeitung there were now signs “that the U.K. is now again tending towards a robust military mission under the U.S. flag” — which would, according to Mützenich, entail an “enormously high risk of escalation.” The SPD’s solution? It’ll “do everything for a diplomatic solution.”
EUROPE’S UNDIPLOMATIC ENVOY: Josep Borrell, Spain’s acting foreign minister who was nominated to be the next high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, has quite the job ahead of him, and some big ambitions for the post. He also has the strong temperament that could make it work — if he doesn’t alienate everyone in the process, writes Diego Torres in this must-read profile.