This book investigates Germany's real reasons for its involvement in the international
Afghanistan intervention since 2001. The goal is to evaluate whether the main reason for the
operation is defending its security by combatting international terrorism as German authorities
have claimed or strengthening political and economic benefits. The research is based on an
analysis of literature and official documents combined with findings from an empirical research
trip to Kabul and Mazar-i-sharif in 2013. The author conducted exclusive personal interviews
with high officials from the Afghan government and German authorities. The book concludes that
Germany s decision of intervening in Afghanistan serves above all its politic economic
interests. The security threat coming from Islamic terrorism can thus not be considered the
main reason for the intervention. Nevertheless the involvement in the conflict strengthened
Germany s position in the NATO which it regards as essential in the changing security
environment. Moreover this research revealed that the source of Germany's decision to
intervene in Afghanistan was a discrepancy between elites and the public.
