Germany's Iran Policy
Subtitle: beyond "Critical Dialogue"
By: Mark A. Gerschoffer
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 114
Description: Germany and the United States differ in their approach to Iran. While the United States seeks to contain Iran      through diplomatic isolation and economic sanctions, Germany prefers to influence Iran though diplomatic      engagement and economic cooperation. German foreign policy posits that its policy of constructive engagement      is the most effective way to influence another country's behavior. This notion has its origins in the Cold War. In      1963, the idea of a "policy of small steps" leading to "change through rapprochement" inspired the policy of      Ostpolitik. The basic principles of Ostpolitik were continued from 1969 through the end of the Cold War. It is      widely believed in Germany that the end of the Cold War and the unification of Germany were due not to the      success of containment, but to detente and Ostpolitik. Given this policy perspective, Germany considers the      political and economic costs of sanctions to be unacceptably high. In addition to the loss to commercial interests,      sanctions would affect Germany's overall credibility as a trading state. Moreover, political demands which might      be suspect because of Germany's past are translated into more respectable economic demands. Economic      sanctions would limit Germany's ability to pursue its political objectives.
Notes: Thesis advisor(s): Donald Abenheim.

"March 1998."

Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs) Naval Postgraduate School, March 1998.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-111).

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Also available online.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0.

US Navy (USN) author.

dk/dk cc:9116 7/23/98.