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Originally Posted by Skybird
I think major parts of the german population already are aware of a war happening in Afghanistan, Bewolf, and just politicians are trying to hide the truth that already has escaped into the open. And yet most Germans, 75-90%, are against any military engagement there at all. I can't see politicians stopping soon to weasel around, and I think the question of increased military engagement in Afghanistan is set to become a very hot issue over here - politicians do not worry about Afghanistan being lost so much, they are concerned about losing their voters. Obama or MacCain, it does not matter, on the Afghanistan issue Germany and America are set on collision course. Obama probably will make higher demands than the german are wqilling to accept, and the Germans are willing to engage a birt more, but not to the level Obama demands. even more so when it was said in campaigning that a higher increase of european engagement over there would allow america to withdraw troops and save it's ressources for being spend at home. Remember that that was taken very queer over here, some months ago?
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I don't know. It's a question of cause and effect, I think. First of all, the question is why most folks here are opposed to the war. Digging into the topic it should be quite obvious why it is so important to win this war, not just for the immidiate future, but in the long run, for Germany's and the whole western worlds stance in the region and ultimately for ideals the west claims to have. It is not about saving a few farmers or making Al Quaida run away, but to keep a promise made to the world when we entered that country. Losing out of this may further undermine western values and ultimately ourselves.
I am optimistc more ppl are aware of that then obvious at first glance, on a concious or subconcious level. The problem are the polititans themselves, who are not able to cope with the issue in a mature and proffessional way, dealing with the german population not on an eye to eye level, but as you said, fearing for their votes. I do not think they are aware it may not be the war itself bringing ppl to such an opposition, but their treatment of the subject matter, their dishonesty and escapism, coupled with the fact they treat killed german soldiers there not as young men that died for principles, but merely accidents.
Nevertheless, reading newspapers and magazines, forums and having real life discussions bout it, I think this stance is about to change. I read more and more about that little pesky german word "Krieg". It's named for what it is finally, and that I consider a first step into the right direction. What happens next will be seen. But it is a fact we can't go on as we did before in the future. Either we pull out, with all the consequences negative or positive, or we make a real comitment, with all the hardship and sacrifices that may mean. The world is a rough place, and Germany and Europe as a whole better wake up from their self chosen isolation and ignorance. With that I mean the ppl themselves who take their lives and privileges as a granted birthright. At least in this agree to the US.