Afghanistan Conflict Monitor

Understanding German Objectives and Strategies

Marian Gallenkamp, 'Afghanistan: Understanding German Objectives and Strategies', Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, 8 July 2009

EXCERPT: "When US President Barack Obama revealed the United States' new Af-Pak strategy on 27 March 2009, it was received exceptionally positive by the American allies including Germany. A new momentum was given, to come up with comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the worsening situation in Afghanistan. Germany was pleased by the change of paradigm in the new US strategy. Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier said, 'finally we are on the path to a joint strategy, which will bring us joint success' and that the new US strategy 'provides a great number of openings for aligning our approaches'. The emphasize of strengthening civil reconstructions efforts, paired with military efforts to provide security and to wipe out terrorists and extremist elements in Afghanistan, while at the same time shifting the focus to a regional approach and working closer together with Afghan security forces and neighbouring countries, is perceived as a promising new change in dealing with the situation in Afghanistan and eventually improving and strengthening the country's stability."

To continue reading the report, click here [pdf].

See also:
'Germany to increase anti-terror measures before fall elections', Deutsche Welle, 10 July 2009
'German troops beef up fight against Taliban', Spiegel Online, 9 July 2009
'Germany funds projects to support government capacity-building in Afghanistan', ISRIA, 8 July 2009
'Germany ups terrorism alert before election', TIME, 6 July 2009

Related posts:
'Militants may plan attacks before German vote', 2 July 2009
'Germany begins to flex military muscle', 8 May 2009
'What does Berlin want in Afghanistan?', 10 March 2009
'The way forward in Afghanistan', 12 February 2009
'German general breaks silence on Afghanistan', 1 December 2008

G8 Experts Meeting On Afghanistan And Regional Stabilisation

'Experts Meeting on Afghanistan and Regional Stabilisation - Summary of Discussions and Recommendations to the Italian Presidency of the G8', IPALMO / ARGO / Carnegie Europe, 1 July 2009

EXCERPT: "The success of international efforts to foster security and economic growth in Afghanistan is increasingly linked to wider stabilization and development in the states in its proximity. In order to elucidate the challenges in the region and draw recommendations for the Italian G8 Presidency, an Experts Meeting on Afghanistan and Regional Stabilization was organized by Ipalmo, ARGO and Carnegie Europe on May 28-29th 2009 in Rome. Participants noted five areas of interest that could be taken into consideration at the June 2008 meeting of G8 Foreign Ministers in Trieste: 1) The countries of the region are interlinked in a regional security complex which requires a regional approach in response; 2) Constructive action by the states of the region and existing regional institutions need to be reinforced; 3) Border management is necessary to curb illicit trafficking while encouraging a better flow of resources across the region; 4) Security remains a major priority in the region; and 5) Greater economic cooperation would increase welfare for populations while encouraging cooperation and trust in the region."

To continue reading the summary, click here [pdf].

See also:
'Outgoing NATO commander slams European role in Afghanistan', NASDAQ, 2 July 2009
'US seeks European funds, troops for Afghanistan', AFP, 1 July 2009
'G8 focus on stabilising Afghanistan, Pakistan', The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 June 2009
'Trieste, Al Qaeda and the stakes in Afghanistan and Pakistan', Brookings Institution, 24 June 2009

Related posts:
'G8 seeks Iran help on Afghanistan', 4 June 2009
'G8 urges Afghan govt to do more on own security', 9 July 2008
'UN official urges regional cooperation to stabilize Afghanistan', 3 July 2008
'Afghanistan and regional instability: A risk assessment', 28 March 2008

Militants May Plan Attacks Before German Vote

'Militants May Plan Attacks Before German Vote: Minister', Reuters, 2 July 2009

EXCERPT: "Islamic militants may be planning attacks aimed at influencing public opinion against Germany's Afghanistan mission ahead of a national election, a senior official said on Thursday. Authorities have detected an increase in threatening video messages ahead of the Sept. 27 parliamentary elections, Deputy Interior Minister and former spy chief August Hanning told a news conference. Hanning said the 2004 Madrid bombings -- when militants killed 191 people in train bombings in an attempt to influence an approaching election and pressure Spain to pull its troops from Iraq -- was a scenario on everyone's mind. 'There has been a rise in the number of video messages and they are extraordinary,' Hanning said after a meeting of security officials in Berlin. 'We're also seeing more travel towards Pakistan in particular,' he said. 'This is disturbing, but no reason for alarm yet.' Several militants who have carried out attacks in Europe traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan for training at guerrilla camps, intelligence sources say."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Double-talk on Afghanistan reaching "new level of absurdity"', Spiegel Online, 2 July 2009
'German leaders defend Afghan mission', PR Inside, 2 July 2009
'Germany out of Afghanistan in "five to 10 years": Minister', EasyBourse, 1 July 2009
'Will Germany's army ever be ready for battle?', TIME, 27 June 2009
'Deaths push Afghan war to the fore for Germany', The New York Times, 25 June 2009

Related posts:
'Conflict builds up with Obama over Afghanistan', 4 June 2009
'Germany begins to flex military muscle', 8 May 2009
'What does Berlin want in Afghanistan?', 10 March 2009
'The way forward in Afghanistan', 12 February 2009
'German general breaks silence on Afghanistan', 1 December 2008

Conflict Builds Up With Obama Over Afghanistan

'Conflict Builds Up With Obama Over Afghanistan', IPS, 4 June 2009

EXCERPT: "When U.S. President Barack Obama visits Germany this Thursday and Friday, he is likely to get a reception as warm as the demonstration of sympathy he enjoyed in July last year. And yet, Obama's high standing among Germans is likely to fall if he asks the German government to send more military personnel to Afghanistan. In July 2007, hundreds of thousands of Germans attended Obama's open-air speech in Berlin – when he was running to represent the U.S. Democratic Party at the presidential elections. That kind of support continues. According to an opinion poll conducted in April and May among about 1,000 adults by the group World Public Opinion, 89 percent Germans said they have confidence in Obama 'doing the right thing in world affairs.' But, according to the poll, this confidence falls over U.S. military policies in Afghanistan and elsewhere.  The poll finds that more than half of Germans (54 percent) disapprove of the recent increase of U.S. troops in Afghanistan ordered by Obama's government. Two-thirds think 'the U.S. uses the threat of military force to gain advantage.' This rejection is likely to pile on if, as expected, Obama asks Germany to increase its military participation in the war against the Taliban. Obama had said last July that Germany would need to increase its contribution in Afghanistan to improve the mission's chances of success."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Germans balking at taking Guantanamo detainees', The New York Times, 4 June 2009
'In war-by-coalition, allies can be "first enemy"', The Associated Press, 4 June 2009
'Germans uneasy over involvement in Afghanistan', Calgary Herald, 31 May 2009

Related posts:
'What does Berlin want in Afghanistan?', 10 March 2009
'The way forward in Afghanistan', 12 February 2009
'Germany discovers a war in Afghanistan', 9 September 2008
'Afghan pullout debate dangerous: German Minister', 3 September 2008
'German general calls for more NATO troops', 23 June 2008

Germany Begins To Flex Military Muscle

'Germany Begins To Flex Military Muscle in Afghanistan', AFP, 8 May 2009

EXCERPT: "Rattled by increasingly brazen insurgent attacks in Afghanistan, German NATO troops have gone on the offensive with a rare raid to capture a Taliban commander and threatened Friday to target more. The operation by German KSK special forces and Afghan troops on Thursday and the public sabre-rattling in Berlin mark a dramatic shift for Germany, where the Afghanistan mission is extremely unpopular. Analysts say the more muscular posture comes not only in response to a growing threat but also a desire to quiet doubts in the United States and among other allies that Germany is fully committed to stabilising Afghanistan. Three days before a visit to Berlin by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, officials in Berlin trumpeted the capture of alleged insurgent leader Abdul Razeq blamed for a string of high-profile attacks in northern Afghanistan."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Did Taliban try to kill German chancellor?', UPI, 8 May 2009
'German detail new Taliban assault in northern Afghanistan', The Earth Times, 8 May 2009
'Afghan, German troops capture top insurgent: German govt', The Wall Street Journal, 7 May 2009

Related posts:
'What does Berlin want in Afghanistan?', 10 March 2009
'The way forward in Afghanistan', 12 February 2009
'Suicide bomb strikes near German Embassy in Kabul', 19 January 2009
'Germany discovers a war in Afghanistan', 9 September 2008

What Does Berlin Want In Afghanistan?

'What Does Berlin Want In Afghanistan?', Spiegel Online, 10 March 2009

EXCERPT: "There are now two countries called Afghanistan, and they couldn't be more different. From Washington, Afghanistan looks like a place that has spun out of control. Germany, on the other hand, sees Afghanistan pursuing a promising path. In the American version of Afghanistan, 650 US soldiers have already died, and the number of civilian casualties grew by 40 percent last year, to about 2,100. As an emergency first-aid measure, the number of US troops in the country is now being increased to 50,000. 'NATO's future is on the line here,' said Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, also speaking at the Munich conference. 'What we have inherited essentially is a situation with very grand rhetoric and inadequate and insufficient resources.' But from Germany's standpoint, the situation in Afghanistan is not quite as grim. Although Berlin also plans to send an additional 600 soldiers to the country to help safeguard the upcoming election and protect its own personnel in Afghanistan, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung is quick to point to successes. He notes that almost seven million children are attending school in Afghanistan once again, and that 'significant improvements' have been achieved in the water and electricity supply, as well as in road construction."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Germany minister say talks with Taliban up to Afghan government', The Earth Times, 10 March 2009
'Biden, NATO allies consult for common Afghan strategy', China View, 10 March 2009
'Afghanistan situation worsening, Blair says', Army Times, 10 March 2009
'Afghanistan: Failure is not realism', Foreign Policy, 5 March 2009

Related posts:
'The way forward in Afghanistan', 12 February 2009
'Afghanistan after the Taliban', 8 January 2009
'German general breaks silence on Afghanistan', 1 December 2008
'German general calls for more NATO troops', 23 June 2008

The Way Forward In Afghanistan

'The Way Forward In Afghanistan - Essay By Former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder', Spiegel Online, 12 February 2009

EXCERPT: "In discussions, especially with young people, I am often asked whether I believe that the deployment of German soldiers in Afghanistan is justified and successful. I respond by describing my visit to Kabul in May 2002. At the time, shortly after the overthrow of the Taliban, I visited a newly opened school, where I was greeted by young, unveiled girls. The students in this girls' school, filled with joy and in an environment free of violence and prohibitions, were doing something that we take for granted: attending school and learning. Many of us have forgotten that this was precisely what the Taliban denied these girls and young women for many years. I was very moved by that visit, and it confirmed my belief that Germany had to make a contribution to bringing down the Taliban. After the horrible Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the United States and its allies were forced to intervene militarily in Afghanistan, because the Taliban regime harbored, trained and supported the terrorists. For the first time in its history, NATO invoked Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which provides that if a NATO Ally is the victim of an armed attack, all other members of the Alliance will consider it as an armed attack against all members. Germany had to and wanted to fully meet its obligations under the alliance. At the time, I assured the United States of our 'unlimited solidarity.' For the first time in our country's postwar history, German soldiers were to become involved in a combat mission outside Europe."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Is democracy really a necessity in Afghanistan?', Foreign Policy, 12 February 2009
'Germany, France dodge Afghanistan troop issue', The Associated Press, 7 February 2009
'Afghanistan needs more than military, says German minister', Deutsche Welle, 8 February 2009
'US needs Germany in Afghanistan: Clinton', Hindustan Times, 4 February 2009

Related posts:
'German general breaks silence on Afghanistan', 1 December 2008
'Germany discovers a war in Afghanistan', 9 September 2008
'Afghan pullout debate dangerous: German Minister', 3 September 2008
'Germany struggles to bring peace and security to Afghanistan', 19 June 2008

Suicide Bomb Strikes Near German Embassy In Kabul

'Suicide Bomb Strikes Near German Embassy In Kabul', Times Online, 19 January 2009

EXCERPT: "A suicide bomber struck Kabul's most heavily fortified district, detonating a car packed with explosives outside the German Embassy and killing five. Saturday's attack came as the US and Britain make increasingly blunt demands of their Nato allies to increase troop numbers in Afghanistan. Last week UK Defence Secretary John Hutton criticised other members of the coalition for 'not stepping up to the plate'. It also coincided with the release of a 30-minute video purporting to come from al-Qaeda, saying the Germans were 'gullible and naive' if they thought they could 'escape unscathed when they are the third occupation force in Afghanistan.' Germany is the third-largest troop-contributing nation in Afghanistan, with 3,200 troops. The bombing in Wazir Akbar Khan, the closest Kabul has to Baghdad's green zone, injured several German diplomatic staff and killed four Afghan passers-by. An American soldier stationed at Camp Eggers, the US base opposite, later died from his wounds and a second soldier is in critical condition."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Canada's top soldier says any additional help in Afghanistan "invaluable"', The Canadian Press, 19 January 2009
'Dutch FM flags ongoing role in Afghanistan', ABC News, 19 January 2009
'Australian FM reiterates Afghan troop commitment', The Canberra Times, 19 January 2009
'Czech govt seeks smaller rise in Afghan force', Reuters India, 19 January 2009

Related posts:
'German general breaks silence on Afghanistan', 1 December 2008
'NATO calls for more troops to fight insurgents', 24 November 2008
'NATO's political will "wavering" in Afghanistan', 20 October 2008
'Afghan pullout debate dangerous: German Minister', 3 September 2008

Germany Spied On Aid Organization In Afghanistan

'Germany Spied On Aid Organization In Afghanistan', Spiegel Online, 8 December 2008

EXCERPT: "Germany's foreign intelligence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), spent years spying on an office of a German aid organization in Afghanistan. The BND has informed the group, Deutsche Welthungerhilfe or German Agro Action, that it monitored the e-mail traffic of Afghanistan NGO Safety Office (ANSO), an agency run by Welthungerhilfe, between October 2005 and April 2008. The surveillance was conducted 'to identify and counter international terror attacks' and the analysis of the e-mail traffic served to 'assess the general security situation in Afghanistan,' and to protect German institutions in the country, the aid agency was told. Intriguingly, during the period in question, Welthungerhilfe was run by Ingeborg Schäuble, the wife of German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble. ANSO is a joint operation based in Kabul which is funded by the European Union, Switzerland and Norway, and run by Welthungerhilfe. Its job is to bundle information gathered by NGOs. It has field offices in four Afghan provinces and the network is a 'seismograph' for developments in Afghanistan, according to Welthungerhilfe. BND evidently wanted to get hold of this internal knowledge as quickly and comprehensively as possible."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'German aid group wants action after spying revelations', Deutsche Welle, 9 December 2008
'German intelligence admits to spying on charities in Afghanistan', Deutsche Welle, 7 December 2008

Related posts:
'Slow pace of German Afghanistan aid criticized', 18 August 2008
'Germany struggles to bring peace and security to Afghanistan', 19 June 2008
'German intel probed for monitoring journalist', 25 April 2008

German General Breaks Silence On Afghanistan

'German General Breaks Silence On Afghanistan', International Herald Tribune, 30 November 2008

EXCERPT: "Breaking with a military tradition of keeping silent about policy, a top German general has branded his country's efforts in Afghanistan a failure, singling out its poor record in training the Afghan police and allocating development aid. The comments came from General Hans-Christoph Ammon, head of the army's elite special commando unit, or KSK, whose officers are in Afghanistan fighting alongside U.S. forces against Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Germany was responsible for training the Afghan police, but the German Interior Ministry, led by the conservative Wolfgang Schäuble, has come under repeated criticism from the United States and other NATO allies for providing too few experts and inappropriate training. The training scheme was 'a miserable failure,' Ammon told DPA, the German press agency, after describing the German record in Afghanistan to a gathering last week of a reservists' association. The government had provided a mere €12 million for training the Afghan Army and police while the United States has already given more than $1 billion, he said."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Policing Afghanistan', The New Yorker, 1 December 2008
'Peacekeeping: It's all about the policing, stupid', Strategy Page, 29 November 2008

Related posts:
'Defections hit Afghan forces', 16 October 2008
'Police face huge training challenges in Afghanistan', 29 September 2008
'UN says Afghan security worse, more police needed', 26 September 2008
'Police reform in Afghanistan is "vital" for democracy, counterinsurgency efforts', 30 August 2007