Bundeswehr in Afghanistan

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I believe Germany's military should stay in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a place where more of the prominent countries can unite against terrorism without the universal condemnation that is prevalent in Iraq. The fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, especially since Sept. 11, 2001, had the whole world singing from the same page until the US took the fight to Iraq. Germany has a good, strong and competent military. Although Germany and the US have many differences of opinion, especially nowadays, the German military can be a strong complement to the overall effort in Afghanistan. - Dennis McClure, US

Germans should not enlarge their involvement in Afghanistan simply because there is no rationale for taming the Afghans using foreign military force, as history clearly proves. You can't justify military intervention simply to teach others some hogwash about democracy when the purpose of this is not transparent. Why should you lose German lives when the cause is missing? The American bandwagon will prove very bumpy for those who choose to ride it. - Major General Aps Chauhan (Rtd.), India

Of course Germany should send troops to the south. Germany needs to assist in the direct combat with the Taliban. How can you expect to win a war if your army does not fight? One would think that, to completely eradicate the stigma of WWII, German troops fighting alongside the Allies would be a good sign that Germany has moved on and is prepared to shoulder its share of the burden in keeping the world safe. It's time Germany was seen by the world as the good guy, ready to fight for a righteous cause. - Peter, Australia

This may be the one place in the world where NATO can make a difference. So much of this "war on terror" is a path of self destruction. If in the end we can improve life for the Afghan people, then this might be a good thing. But I don't know if NATO should stay there forever. - Lee Davis, Oregon, US

German troops should not have been sent abroad anywhere. I followed the English speaking press all the years of the war against terror and our allies are not even aware of German involvement. Let the "real soldiers," namely the US, Britain and Australia, get on with their war by themselves. - Hermann Buhler, Australia