INTO THE GULF : The Strategic Implications of Germany’s New Energy Relationship with the Gulf Monarchies

The ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has spurred the search for alternative energy suppliers, and for Germany, Gulf oil and gas is the most logical alternative. To date, Germany’s engagement with the energy-rich Gulf monarchies has been limited, but ongoing global developments and the need for energy resources require Berlin to engage strategically with the shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region. Although public debate in German has focused on reconciling the notion of a values-based foreign policy with expanding political and commercial relations with the Gulf region, Berlin must act to formulate a concrete, strategic Gulf policy. 1 INTRODUCTION ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 2 2 TAKING STOCK: GERMANY-GULF RELATIONS TO DATE ���������������������������������� 3 3 ENERGY PUSHES GERMANY INTO THE GULF ����������������������4 4 QATARI GAS: NOT A SHORT-TERM FIX ���������������������������������� 6 5 GULF ENERGY IS GEOPOLITICS ��������������������������������������������������� 8 6 GERMANY’S NEW STAKE IN GULF SECURITY ������������������ 10 7 PRAGMATIC VALUES-BASED ENGAGEMENT ��������������������� 12 8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ��������������������������� 13