Germany in zugzwang on Russian energy

Geoeconomics power play by Russia has pushed Germany into a situation known in German language as “Zugzwang”. Literally it means ‘compulsion to move’ in game of chess. But in strategy, it implies the player is in catch 22 situation as any move he makes would bring adverse results. How come?

Facts

1. Recent admission by German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz that the country is paying huge price for her energy imports mainly due to rupture of the Russo-Deutschland relationship shows only the tip of the iceberg.

2. Germany made a foolish move of using her queen to check the Russian knight in the chess board exposing her valuable asset to be hit by Russian castle on one side and bishop on the other.

3. In geoeconomics strategy, the false move was made when Germany went along with the Anglo-Saxons in sanctioning Russia on one hand and thereafter surreptitiously exposing the Nord Stream pipeline to be blown up.

Analysis

1. Current energy crisis is not only due to interruption of Russian gas supplies. In earlier instances two other sources of energy were terminated. One relates to nuclear power with fears regarding safety and coal fired energy grid due to over-emphasis on the concept of green energy

2. All three decisions were rammed down Germany’s throat by the Anglo-Saxons.  America wanted a European market for her LPG. Britain feared Russia getting more closer to Germany that could result in the latter becoming unduly powerful, a reflection of the Imperial British Policy of balance of power enforced during the 19^th Century. Thirdly, Europe particularly, France is too jealous about Germany usurping her stature as European and global power centre.

Synthesis

1. Post World War Germany was in a unique position of leveraging three vital inputs: technology, trained human resource and cheap energy sourced from Soviet Russia then and Russian Federation lately

2. Leveraging these three factors resulted in a phenomenal growth in German economy in general and export potential in particular. The second one helped in two ways: Erasing the ill-effects of the German role in the World War II from the minds of the global population and build a brand new image of Germany as a global partner in geoeconomics welfare.

3. Vlad the Putin has put it bluntly. He wished to engage with a German negotiator and named former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Take it or leave it.

Strategy direction

Navigating strategy amid geoeconomics mandates Putin’s voice be heard and Gerhard Schroeder be appointed as per.

If not Germany cannot escape out of the zugzwng she is trapped now and the present and future generation would blame and curse the current ruling coalition of the Union & SPD.

 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff

Strategy Adviser

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Strategy Adviser