Germany’s Post-Afghanistan Assessment by the Federal Parliament: A critical look at the country’s 20-year mission in Afghanistan, which ended in failure, highlights the need for self-criticism and international coordination to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
The German parliament has taken a critical look at the country’s 20-year mission in Afghanistan, which ended in failure. The Enquete Commission‘s final report, now available, highlights the need for self-criticism and international coordination to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
The Afghanistan mission refers to a series of military interventions and peacekeeping efforts by international forces in Afghanistan.
The mission began in 2001, following the '9/11 attacks' , with the aim of defeating al-Qaeda and its Taliban allies.
Since then, various countries have contributed troops to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and later the Resolute Support Mission (RSM).
As of 2022, the RSM has transitioned to a training and advisory role, with NATO forces continuing to support the Afghan military.
The people of Afghanistan viewed German soldiers with skepticism during the mission, which was triggered by the ‘9/11 terrorist attacks in the US.’ Fifty-nine Bundeswehr soldiers lost their lives, and the situation for women and girls has deteriorated dramatically since the Taliban‘s return to power.
The Taliban is a Sunni Islamist organization that emerged in the early 1990s in southern Afghanistan.
Founded by Mullah Mohammad Omar, the group initially aimed to establish an Islamic state based on Sharia law.
The Taliban gained control of most of Afghanistan by 2001, but their rule was marked by human rights abuses and suppression of women's rights.
After being ousted by US-led forces, the Taliban continued to wage a guerrilla war against the Afghan government.
In 2021, they recaptured power in Kabul, sparking international concern over their return to control.
The Enquete Commission‘s mandate was to identify lessons from Afghanistan for Germany‘s future networked engagement. Michael Müller, commission chair, outlined clear conditions for future foreign missions, including humanitarian aid, stronger diplomatic commitment, and better international coordination. ‘We need to take stock in a self-critical way,’ he insisted.
The commission’s final report lists over 70 recommendations to politicians. One key finding is that almost none of these were developed for Afghanistan. For future missions abroad, the report recommends developing a common overview of the situation and improving local population involvement. Communication should be tailored to the target group, taking into account cultural and religious context.
The Enquete Commission also found inadequate communication between government ministries during the mission. Each ministry drove its own agenda forward, losing sight of the big picture. This lack of coordination was criticized by Müller, who praised the commitment but acknowledged the failure to work together effectively.
Former Chancellor ‘Angela Merkel‘ admitted serious failings in the Afghanistan mission, citing cultural differences as a major obstacle. However, she also emphasized the need for humanitarian efforts to continue even after the Taliban‘s takeover. The commission’s recommendations highlight the importance of balancing engagement with the Taliban while avoiding complicity with their regime.
The Enquete Commission‘s report serves as a wake-up call for Germany and its international partners. By learning from past mistakes and adopting a new approach, Germany can play a more effective role in future crises and contribute to a more coordinated global response.
