Drucksachen,20/14500: Unterrichtung Abschlussbericht der Enquete-Kommission Lehren aus Afghanistan für das künftige vernetzte Engagement Deutschlands (PDF)

German Parliamentary Inquiry Releases Report on Afghanistan Engagement

2025-01-27 11:00

Berlin, Germany – The Enquete Commission formed by the German Bundestag (parliament) to investigate lessons learned from the country’s Afghanistan engagement has released its final report, titled “20/14500: Unterrichtung Abschlussbericht der Enquete-Kommission Lehren aus Afghanistan für das künftige vernetzte Engagement Deutschlands (PDF).”

Key Findings:

The 16-member commission, chaired by Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU/CSU), spent two years conducting extensive hearings and research to assess Germany’s involvement in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021. The report presents a comprehensive analysis of its findings, including:

• The German mission in Afghanistan was overextended and lacked a clear strategic objective.
• The development of democratic structures and institutions in Afghanistan was hampered by corruption, ethnic divisions, and a lack of capacity.
• The withdrawal of international forces in 2021 led to a rapid Taliban takeover and the collapse of the Afghan government.
• Germany’s intelligence assessments regarding the stability of the Afghan government were overly optimistic.
• The German government did not adequately prepare for the evacuation of German citizens and Afghan partners.

Recommendations:

Based on its findings, the commission made numerous recommendations for future German engagements abroad:

• Missions should have clear and realistic objectives and exit strategies.
• Development cooperation should focus on building capacity and sustainable institutions.
• Partnerships with local actors should be prioritized, with a focus on supporting civil society and the rule of law.
• Intelligence assessments should be based on diverse sources and critically evaluated.
• Evacuation plans should be developed in advance and regularly updated.
• Germany should strengthen its coordination with international partners and support multilateral efforts.

Reactions:

The report has sparked mixed reactions. Some members of the commission have called for a fundamental reassessment of Germany’s foreign policy approach, while others have defended the mission in Afghanistan as necessary. The German government has welcomed the report and stated its intention to study its recommendations carefully.

Implications:

The report’s findings and recommendations are likely to have a significant impact on Germany’s future foreign policy decision-making. They will inform debates on the country’s engagement in conflicts abroad, the allocation of development aid, and the strengthening of intelligence capabilities. The report is also a valuable contribution to the international discussion on the lessons learned from the Afghanistan war.

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