But the country has not held back on supplying the world with weapons: It is the globe’s fifth-largest arms exporter. The revelation prompted calls, particularly from Germany’s left parties, for an end to arms sales to Turkey. “That’s why you’ll find the statement again in the final coalition treaty.”For Germany, arms exports have long been a key instrument for security and foreign policy. Despite Germany’s role as a major arms supplier to Turkey, there are limits to its leverage, said Andrew Feinstein, an expert on the global arms trade. For Turkey, it might be a German arms purchase.

Source: Washington Post January 27, 2018 10:52 UTC