I’ve been pondering this question for quite a while now and decided to make a list of reasons why German is in Afghanistan. This is a collection of reasons I have run in to. I will try to extend or abbreviate the list periodically and would be happy to hear views from others.
1. Germany felt obligated to support the US after 9/11 and as a NATO partner. According to NATO bylaws Germany was, perhaps, obligated to join the US in Afghanistan. If this is true, though, how could Germany have avoided joining in on the Iraq War?
2. Germany felt obligated to support the US because the US “saved” Germany from Nazism. (Whether the Germans actually wanted to be saved is another issue.)
3. Germany wants to be a global military player. (Heard this from Tobias Pflüger.)
4. Germany wants to help fight terrorism. This has become an issue of national security. The former German Defense Minister, Peter Struck (member of the left of center Social Democratic Party (SPD)) said in a press conference on Dec. 5th, 2002 that the “Deutsche Freiheit wird am Hindukusch verteidigt” (“German freedom must be defended in the Hindu Kush”).
5. Germany wants to “save” the Afghans from the brutal rule of the Taliban.
6. Germany wants to save the women of Afghanistan from the evil Taliban.
7. As good Christians, Germans are obligated to help the oppressed. We can not turn a blind eye to those in danger. It’s our Christian calling to help our neighbors. (Heard this argument recently for the first time from a friend. I can imagine that it plays a role.)
8. Economic factors. German companies benefit from the war. (I don’t have any figures on this. Tobias Pflüger said he doesn’t play a big role. The German postal company DHL has, from what I’ve heard, profited from this war.) Of course all the German producers of weapons, military-related equipment, security-related equipment, various services used in war regions, etc. are directly profiting from the war.
9. Institutional factors. The Bundeswehr has become established in Afghanistan. Generals are making their careers there. Military leaders are digging into the trenches. There is always the institutional self-legitimization involved. Chomsky talks a lot about this.
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There is also the general aspect of Germany wanting to be considered a team player in international affairs, no longer on a "Sonderweg." Since the Aghanistian occupation is under a U.N. mandate, it is harder to leave. Since they didn't go into Iraq, the U.N. mandate there doesn't matter as much.
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