In Favour of An Assertive Germany

In 1999 Germany deployed troops abroad for the first time since World War 2 in order to join the NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR).  The seriousness of the threat of ethnic cleansing was enough for the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to support a break from German Foreign Policy’s traditional pacifism.  With the prospect of German forces helping to prevent  genocide, one could almost sense a certain genocide waging dictator turning in their grave.

Upon Germany crossing the interventionist Rubicon, many in the country and without wondered what was next for the war haunted country.  What came next over the start of the 21^st century can be described  for the most part as careful pragmatism.  While keeping a constant dialogue active with the United States (US) via their mutual membership of NATO, Germany also became heavily involved in the construction of European Union (EU) Foreign Policy.  Now aware of its capacity to project military power abroad for good causes, Germany picked further intervention opportunities carefully.  Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder wholeheartedly gave his support to the US in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, recognising the US’s right to retaliate in order to defend itself in accordance with the NATO charter.  To this end the German Government committed one of the largest contingents of troops to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.  Recognising the importance of protecting international shipping routes Germany also contributed military forces to the NATO anti-piracy task force off the coast of Somalia.  However the German Government was one of the loudest opposing voices to the 2003 Iraq War.  In the case of the Libyan Civil War the German Government abstained on voting on a UN Security Council Resolution authorising a No Fly Zone.  While they did not contribute to the NATO mission in Libya they spoke out against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s

But events may hasten the creation of a more assertive German Foreign Policy.  The rise of IS (Islamic State) in Iraq recently pushed Germany to send arms to the Kurdish militia the Peshmerga, a highly rare and interventionist move. At the same time Russia's call to protect the rights of Russian minority groups in the east of Europe presents a potential powder keg on Germany's doorstep.  Chancellor Angela Merkel has taken a firm diplomatic line against alleged Russian interference in the ongoing civil war in the Ukraine.  These events have run alongside open calls by members of the German Government including President Joachim Gauck and Defence Minister Ursuala Von Der Leyen for a bolder Foreign Policy.  German diplomatic deterrence does not seem to have proved enough to deter Russian adventurism, this begs the question of whether military deterrence may follow.

If Germany does become more interventionist it will have to do so cautiously, due to public opinion being wary of being involved in foreign conflicts.  To this end the objectives of a new foreign policy doctrine will have to be clearly stated.  This author for one is strongly in favour of a more assertive German Foreign Policy.  Cuts in defence budgets throughout Europe has created a power gap.  This has been exacerbated by the US's turning it's security focus to the Asian Pacific region.  Long before this the US has been calling for European countries to take up more of the security burden for the region. 

A decision may have to be made about the future of German Foreign Policy soon, since the Ukraine Crisis has brought instability back to the region.  Germany's eastern allies are calling for NATO support against possible Russian interference.  Poland the most prominent of these voices is calling for 10,000 US troops to help deter possible Russian incursions.  If these do not materialise they may settle for a NATO ally like Germany.  If Germany answers the call to help, perhaps the Polish will greet the arrival of German soldiers with a smile in contrast to 75 years this September.