War Without End
The American request for more troops for Afghanistan from Europeans is a very serious story in Europe, and especially in Germany, which refused to accede to it.
According to some Germans, this piece from Junge Welt, a German daily, translated as ever by Watching America, fairly captures the mainstream mood in that country.
There is so much animus not only because of America’s request, but also because of the way German politicians have responded to the USA’s approach.
Nevertheless, the skepticism about America’s larger intentions is clear:
Nuland [USA's ambassador to NATO] said, “If we can get it right in the Hindu Kush, we will also be stronger the next time we are called to defend our security and values so far from home.” In so saying, the ambassador confirmed that in the final analysis the disagreement wasn’t about sending 1000 or 2000 additional German soldiers to Afghanistan, where they will hardly make a difference militarily. It was all about bringing reluctant allies like Germany aboard, above all in combat missions, in order to have them along on the next strategic outings: military intervention in Pakistan and war against Iran.
