GPPi explains Germany’s skepticism towards use of force in peace operations at Brussels conference

At a conference in Brussels from 8 – 9 April 2014, GPPi Research Associate Gerrit Kurtz delivered a presentation on the normative and political considerations that shape German policymaking. He stressed the deeply ingrained skepticism concerning the use of force among the German foreign policy elite as well as the general public, particularly when it comes to ​“robust” combat operations.

The event, titled ​“New Geopolitics of Peace Operations: A Dialogue with Emerging Powers,” was jointly organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The dialogue brought together analysts, diplomats and security officials from Europe as well as from emerging powers.

In contrast to the coherence usually perceived of the West, the discussions highlighted the divergence of perspectives in different European countries on threat perceptions and the resulting need for peace operations.

Kurtz explained that Germany’s current financial and troop contributions were due to the country’s high multilateral ambitions to work in the framework of international organizations and alliances. These have resulted in a preference for troop contributions from a distance, such as through training missions, staff officers for headquarters or logistical support.

Kurtz predicted that Germany will not significantly increase its troop contributions to robust peace operations despite expectations for a ​“new” German foreign policy. Recent evidence includes Germany’s limited contribution to the missions in Mali and, particularly, to the new European Union mission in the Central African Republic, where Germany has only sent one transport plane. 

German foreign policy is more likely to concentrate on diplomatic initiatives such as the crisis in Ukraine, added Kurtz.