GERMANY PERSPECTIVE

Berlin responds to the NATO crisis with action rather than words. Tagesschau reports that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has ordered a Bundeswehr minesweeper deployed to the Mediterranean, preparing for a potential Strait of Hormuz mission. 'To save time, we decided to deploy German naval units to the Mediterranean in advance, so we lose no further time after a Bundestag mandate,' Pistorius explains.

Deutsche Welle details the European plan: a 'strictly defensive' mission proposed by the UK and France that would protect merchant vessels without striking land targets. The article specifies that the E3 -- Germany, France, UK -- would bear the bulk of the military burden. Berlin conditions its participation on a lasting ceasefire and solid legal basis, potentially a UN Security Council resolution.

A senior German official quoted by the BBC states that 'Spain is a member of NATO and I see no reason why that should change.' But Berlin isn't merely defending Madrid -- it's already preparing for the post-war phase. Pistorius notes the German navy is 'richtig gut' (really good) at detecting and clearing mines, a niche capability that gives Germany a concrete rather than symbolic role in securing Hormuz. It's a deliberate choice: proving its value to Washington through deeds, not speeches.