Post-reunification German Military involvement in international crises : foreign and security policy commensurate with national sovereignty

Abstract

This thesis examines past and present instances of German military intervention in international crises since national reunification on 3 October 1990 as a basis for evaluating the evolutionary progress Germany has made in addressing issues of international security during the same period. It assesses Germanyαs accomplishments in context of the challenges posed to German political, social, and military elites in justifying to their constituencies and communities, German leadership commensurate with situational necessity borne out of the new reality Germany faces in light of having regained its national sovereignty, and with German economic, political and military potential. Furthermore, it assesses them in context of the relative βunknownsγ associated with the question of how the German parliament and public would respond to the call to assume greater national responsibility for regional and international peace and security. Finally, progress is gauged by reactions from different international audiences. This thesis investigates the course/progress of intense domestic debate associated with Germanyαs arrival at major decision points/milestones, and uses both objective and subjective evaluation to gain further insight into contemporary German foreign and security interests and policies, future direction, and preparedness to "stay the course."