The truth behind Germany's intervention in Afghanistan

This book investigates Germany's real reasons for its involvement in the international Afghanistan intervention since 2001. The goal is to evaluate whether the main reason for the operation is defending its security by combatting international terrorism as German authorities have claimed or strengthening political and economic benefits. The research is based on an analysis of literature and official documents combined with findings from an empirical research trip to Kabul and Mazar-i-sharif in 2013. The author conducted exclusive personal interviews with high officials from the Afghan government and German authorities. The book concludes that Germanys decision of intervening in Afghanistan serves above all its politic economic interests. The security threat coming from Islamic terrorism can thus not be considered the main reason for the intervention. Nevertheless, the involvement in the conflict strengthened Germanys position in the NATO, which it regards as essential in the changing security environment. Moreover, this research revealed that the source of Germany's decision to intervene in Afghanistan was a discrepancy between elites and the public.