The German Debate Over Military Peacekeeping Missions: The First Step Toward an Eventual Combat Role

Abstract

This study analyzes the steps taken by the German Federal Government to transform the character of German security policy from the inner-German border to the strategic reality of the present. While this author believes quite firmly that the time is drawing near when German soldiers will participate in combat within the framework of collective defense and security in a future conflict, considerable obstacles to such a contingency remain. The study interprets the interaction of the elements of government, the military, political parties and the international system in the transformation of German defense policy since the shock of the Post-Cold War world has overwhelmed Atlantic security institutions. This thesis describes the strategic interaction of how Germany's political leaders have adjusted themselves to an unfamiliar and uncomfortable world of war and peace. In the process, Germany is discarding the security policy of so-called reticence, but what policy will replace it remains unclear. Germany, National strategy, Peacekeeping Debate, Political opinions, Politics of security. Post-cold war era, Role of armed of forces.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA276318

Entities

People

  • Richard M. Schmitz

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combat Operations
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • European Union
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Science
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Political Systems
  • Sociopolitics
  • Treaties
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Educational Psychology
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies