Germany, NATO's Out-of-Area Operations, and the CSDP: The German Defense Policy Dilemma

Abstract

Germany stands as a pivotal country within the NATO alliance: it is an economic superpower and occupies a central geographic and political position in Europe. Germany's defense policy and its approach to alliance commitments will have a significant impact on the success or failure of NATO strategy. However, its participation in post-Cold War NATO combat operations has varied from full commitment to outright abstention. This paper will explore the reasons behind Germany's inconsistent support of NATO combat missions in the Balkans (Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo), Afghanistan, and Libya. Given the parallel development of a security framework within the European Union, it will also examine the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy and evaluate its viability as an alternative to NATO as Germany's primary military alliance.