The Modernization of the Bundeswehr: A New Trend in Germany's Security Policy

The Modernization of the Bundeswehr: A New Trend in Germany's Security Policy
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 45
Release: 2003
Genre:
ISBN:

This paper examines the current reform of the German Armed Forces and how reorganization is being influenced by new threats and a new security policy. The author argues that the transformation of the Bundeswehr is in line with Germany's expanded security role and reflects an appropriate adjustment to post-Cold War realities. However, there are concerns that an inadequate defense budget may prevent Germany from attaining its stated reform goals and fulfilling its commitments to the European Union and NATO. Section I, Changes and New Centers of Gravity in Germany's Security Policy, examines the fall of the Berlin Wall and its consequences, NATO's new challenges and commitments, the basic principles and interests of Germany's Security Policy, and consequences of the reform. Section II, Transforming the Bundeswehr, discusses its current mission and tasks, the debate over compulsory military service, new capabilities and structure, modernizing the equipment of the Bundeswehr, and the bottom line of the reform. Section III, Integrating New Capabilities into European and NATO Commitments, examines contributions to the European Headline Goal, the Prague Capabilities Commitment, and German contributions to current international operations.

The Bundeswehr and Western Security

The Bundeswehr and Western Security
Author: Stephen F. Szabo
Publisher:
Total Pages: 316
Release: 1990
Genre: History
ISBN:

The American institute for contemporary German studies, which sponsors research and discussion on German politics, foreign policy and history since 1945, has compiled this book on the German army and its involvement with NATO, German politics and future strategic alternatives.

The German Bundeswehr in the Face of a Changing Security Environment

The German Bundeswehr in the Face of a Changing Security Environment
Author: Thomas B. Place
Publisher:
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2015
Genre: Germany
ISBN:

"In 2006, Germany released a new security policy to address the emergence of "new risks and threats" with a modernized force capable of "adapting to the dynamic security environment" and conducting operations beyond its borders. Germany has since risen to become a key player in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU); however, security challenges from domestic terrorism, Russian expansionism, and a reduced US presence in Europe have also increased. This paper asserts that the Bundeswehr is inadequate to counter the current and growing security threats due to German culture and politicization. It substantiates this claim based on the results of a model that was synthesized from two organizational theoretical approaches that examined the Bundeswehr and how well it is adapted compared to the regional and global security environment. Secondly, it describes why culture and politicization is a significant contributing factor to these shortfalls. It should be recognized this paper only identifies inadequacies and their underlying causes through the lens of the organizational theory. It is not inclusive of all the problems facing the Bundeswehr and should be viewed as a starting point to recognizing and understanding the deep complications of it adapting to meet the challenges of the evolving security environment."--Abstract.

Germany's New Security Demographics

Germany's New Security Demographics
Author: Wenke Apt
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 231
Release: 2013-12-04
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9400769644

Military recruitment will become more difficult in times of demographic aging. The question arises whether demographic change will constrain the capacity of aging states like Germany to conduct foreign policy and pursue their national security interests. Since contemporary military operations still display a strong human element, particular scrutiny is given to the empirical analysis of the determinants of military propensity and military service among youth. An additional human capital projection until 2030 illustrates how the decline in the youth population will interact with trends in educational attainment and adolescent health to further complicate military recruitment in the future. A concluding review of recruiting practices in other NATO countries provides insight in best-practice policy options to reduce the military’s sensitivity to demographic change. Following this approach, the book gives prominence to a topic that has thus far been under-represented in the greater discussion of demographic change today, namely the demographic impact on international affairs and strategic calculations.

Economic Security: Neglected Dimension of National Security ?

Economic Security: Neglected Dimension of National Security ?
Author: National Defense University (U S )
Publisher: Government Printing Office
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2011-12-27
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

On August 24-25, 2010, the National Defense University held a conference titled “Economic Security: Neglected Dimension of National Security?” to explore the economic element of national power. This special collection of selected papers from the conference represents the view of several keynote speakers and participants in six panel discussions. It explores the complexity surrounding this subject and examines the major elements that, interacting as a system, define the economic component of national security.

Joint Vision 2020

Joint Vision 2020
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2000
Genre: Command and control systems
ISBN:

Joint Vision 2020 is the conceptual template for how we will channel the vitality of our people and leverage technological opportunities to achieve new levels of effectiveness in joint warfighting.

Beyond NATO

Beyond NATO
Author: Michael E. O'Hanlon
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
Total Pages: 171
Release: 2017-08-15
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0815732589

In this new Brookings Marshall Paper, Michael O'Hanlon argues that now is the time for Western nations to negotiate a new security architecture for neutral countries in eastern Europe to stabilize the region and reduce the risks of war with Russia. He believes NATO expansion has gone far enough. The core concept of this new security architecture would be one of permanent neutrality. The countries in question collectively make a broken-up arc, from Europe's far north to its south: Finland and Sweden; Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus; Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan; and finally Cyprus plus Serbia, as well as possibly several other Balkan states. Discussion on the new framework should begin within NATO, followed by deliberation with the neutral countries themselves, and then formal negotiations with Russia. The new security architecture would require that Russia, like NATO, commit to help uphold the security of Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and other states in the region. Russia would have to withdraw its troops from those countries in a verifiable manner; after that, corresponding sanctions on Russia would be lifted. The neutral countries would retain their rights to participate in multilateral security operations on a scale comparable to what has been the case in the past, including even those operations that might be led by NATO. They could think of and describe themselves as Western states (or anything else, for that matter). If the European Union and they so wished in the future, they could join the EU. They would have complete sovereignty and self-determination in every sense of the word. But NATO would decide not to invite them into the alliance as members. Ideally, these nations would endorse and promote this concept themselves as a more practical way to ensure their security than the current situation or any other plausible alternative.

America's Role in Nation-Building

America's Role in Nation-Building
Author: James Dobbins
Publisher: Rand Corporation
Total Pages: 281
Release: 2003-08-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0833034863

The post-World War II occupations of Germany and Japan set standards for postconflict nation-building that have not since been matched. Only in recent years has the United States has felt the need to participate in similar transformations, but it is now facing one of the most challenging prospects since the 1940s: Iraq. The authors review seven case studies--Germany, Japan, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan--and seek lessons about what worked well and what did not. Then, they examine the Iraq situation in light of these lessons. Success in Iraq will require an extensive commitment of financial, military, and political resources for a long time. The United States cannot afford to contemplate early exit strategies and cannot afford to leave the job half completed.