Navy on Permanent Mission (Warships at the Horn of Africa)

Newsletter 2009/02/19 - Navy on Permanent Mission

BERLIN/DJIBOUTI (Own report) - The international deployment of
warships at the Horn of Africa is being accompanied by transatlantic
rivalry. Two dozen frigates and destroyers from more than a dozen
nations are engaged in anti-piracy operations in one of the world's
most important maritime trade route regions. At the same time, leading
western powers are insisting on separate command structures. Whereas
the EU is putting its first naval mission to the test, the USA has,
for its part, founded a new multi-national alliance, which also
includes European nations. Therefore the EU and the USA are for the
first time entering into military competition with one another and
struggling for the leadership. At the same time, with the construction
of several naval bases, Russia is strategically strengthening its
position in the region. The German base, in this contested region, is
located in Djibouti. Naval circles are beginning to prepare public
opinion to accept the permanent presence of German warships at the
Horn of Africa.

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http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/fulltext/56226