German Enquete Commission Presents Final Report on Lessons Learned from Afghanistan Engagement
Berlin, January 22, 2025 – The Enquete Commission “Lessons from Afghanistan for Germany’s Future Networked Engagement” has presented its final report to the German Bundestag. The commission, established in 2022, was tasked with analyzing the country’s 20-year involvement in Afghanistan and drawing lessons for future foreign policy engagements.
Key Findings
The report identifies several key findings, including:
- Germany’s Afghanistan engagement suffered from a lack of clearly defined objectives and unrealistic expectations.
- The mission was inadequately resourced, with a mismatch between political ambitions and military capabilities.
- The international community failed to adequately address the complex political, ethnic, and societal challenges in Afghanistan.
- Germany’s exit strategy was poorly planned and executed, leading to a chaotic withdrawal and the collapse of the Afghan government.
Recommendations
Based on these findings, the commission makes several recommendations for strengthening Germany’s future foreign policy engagements:
- Clearly define objectives and limit mission scope to what is achievable given the resources available.
- Conduct thorough risk assessments and develop exit strategies from the outset.
- Engage in comprehensive diplomacy and consider different perspectives and interests.
- Build local partnerships and empower local actors.
- Ensure inter-agency coordination and parliamentary oversight.
Parliamentary Debate
The report will be discussed in the Bundestag on February 8th. Political parties are expected to debate the commission’s findings and recommendations and consider their implications for Germany’s future foreign policy.
International Implications
The report is also significant in the context of Germany’s role in international affairs. Germany’s experience in Afghanistan has raised questions about the limits of its military and political power and has prompted calls for a more nuanced approach to foreign policy.
Reactions
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed the report, stating that it “provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of our engagement in Afghanistan.” She pledged to carefully consider the commission’s recommendations.
Opposition lawmakers criticized the report for being too critical of the government’s handling of the Afghanistan mission. They argued that the commission had not given sufficient weight to the positive contributions made by German troops.
Conclusion
The Enquete Commission’s final report provides a thorough analysis of Germany’s involvement in Afghanistan and offers valuable lessons for the country’s future foreign policy engagements. The report is likely to shape policy discussions in Germany and abroad and contribute to a broader understanding of the challenges and complexities of international intervention.
Enquete-Kommission „Lehren aus Afghanistan für das künftige vernetzte Engagement Deutschlands“ legt ihren Abschlussbericht vor
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