Germany’s employment of Bundeswehr forces outside Europe since 2001 reveals significant new dimensions in the country’s approach to defense. Understanding these developments is essential to assessing where the EU, of which Germany is the largest member, is headed in its own security and defense policy, and the prospects for transatlantic cooperation. This is especially important at a time when many observers assume that the two sides of the Atlantic are drifting apart politically, or that Europe is about to fall apart over this issue, with Germany and France leading one camp and Britain the other. The picture that emerges is a much more benign one of shared purpose and commitment to do whatever is required to preserve a functioning, secure international system.

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