German Bundestag Votes Overwhelmingly to Join the Fight Against Daesh

Boreas · #1 12-04-2015, 04:33 PM

In a vote of 445 to 145, the German parliament approved the use of their military against Daesh. They will not be used in a combat role but instead will perform support and reconnaissance missions.

finnbow · #2 12-04-2015, 05:09 PM

Their participation, along with Britain's, is welcome, appreciated and mostly symbolic.

Boreas · #3 12-04-2015, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finnbow

Their participation, along with Britain's, is welcome, appreciated and mostly symbolic.

Symbolism is important, even essential.

HarmanKardon · #4 12-05-2015, 01:18 AM

We do not want to repeat the mistake we made when Lybia was the issue and Germany refused to participate. And I hope that some time the support of the German troops will be more than "symbolic".

We told the French people that we are standing shoulder to shoulder - and this also in military concerns, as far as possible.

BlueStreak · #5 12-05-2015, 02:28 AM

Yeah, what is up with the French growing some stones and the Germans being so reluctant to fight?

HarmanKardon · #6 12-05-2015, 06:14 AM

Item 87a of the Grundgesetz: The task of the Bundeswehr is only to defend and not to attack.

JJIII · #7 12-05-2015, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarmanKardon

Item 87a of the Grundgesetz: The task of the Bundeswehr is only to defend and not to attack.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_be...a_good_offense

.

HarmanKardon · #8 12-05-2015, 07:33 AM

You got that right, man...

finnbow · #9 12-05-2015, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarmanKardon

Item 87a of the Grundgesetz: The task of the Bundeswehr is only to defend and not to attack.

Yeh, but Germany's NATO ally, France, was attacked. Germany's decision can therefore be defined as defensive in nature, as was their participation in Afghanistan.

HarmanKardon · #10 12-05-2015, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finnbow

Yeh, but Germany's NATO ally, France, was attacked. Germany's decision can therefore be defined as defensive in nature, as was their participation in Afghanistan.

Former minister of defense, Peter Struck, once said that the "Bundeswehr has not just to defend Germany in Hindelang anymore, but also on the Hindukush".

Drafting of item 87a is from 1955 when the Bundeswehr was founded, so it is not appropriate anymore. Anyway - German war/military devices in foreign countries, after what happened in the 20th century, we still do not like that very much. But I think this sentiment is of minor importance.