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The article presents an overview of Germany in 2006, focusing on its international commitments, national interests, and chancellor Angela Merkel. The history of German foreign policy since World War II is analyzed, with an emphasis on the limited and controversial role of the German military. Diplomatic relations with the U.S., the E.U., and Russia are discussed. The author calls Germany a middle power, and suggests it is only beginning to move on from the traumatic legacy of the 20th century.

The article discusses the challenges facing the German armed forces. Topics discussed include highlights of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) military exercise on the Letzlinger Heath, the German armed forces' lack of equipment, money and public support, a comparison of Germany's military capability with other NATO members and Sweden and Finland and involvement of Germany's armed forces in a reordering of NATO's military structures designed to respond to Russian assertiveness.

The article examines Germany's foreign relations. Statements by President Joachim Glauck and Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen urging Germany to take a more active role in international relations both within the European Union and elsewhere are discussed. Public opinion polls indicating strong opposition to von der Leyen's proposal to expand the use of Germany's armed forces in international security operations are noted.

This article focuses on whether North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops, especially troops from Germany, should remain in Afghanistan despite violence. German troops are described as living in shipping containers at Camp Marmal near Mazar-e-Sharif. According to the article, Germany is debating sending troops to Lebanon. Also mentioned are historic ties between Germany and Afghanistan, which was the recipient of German aid in the 1970s.

Focuses on the German army. Possible role that the army will play in the European Union's (EU) defense initiative as outlined by Britain and France; Chances that the government will decide to limit conscription practices; Increase in rapidly deployable troops; Decrease in regular armed forces; Other changes and their attendant political ramifications.

The article focuses on the military reorganization in Germany. A government-appointed committee, chaired by a former president, Richard von Weizsäcker, is looking set to recommend that Germany's armed forces be chopped from 320,000 troops to 240,000, its rapid-reaction force more than doubled from 60,000 to 140,000, and the number of conscripts from 130,000 to 30,000. Under government's present plans, defence spending is due to be trimmed by DM1.6 billion over the next three years.

Discusses Helmut Kohl's decision to send troops to ex-Yugoslavia with orders to fight if necessary. Need for Bundestag approval of his decision; How this is a break from Germany's post war history; Decision by the German court that Germans were not constitutionally barred from military action abroad.

The article profiles German President Joachim Gauck and discusses German politics and foreign policy. It outlines his background, noting both he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are from the former East Germany. It describes him as an appealing politician and cites actions of his which it says push the limits of the country's largely ceremonial office of president, including statements about rebuilding its armed forces.

The article discusses the attitudes of the German population towards the country's military since World War II, with particular focus on the lack of consensus about reforms to the size and authority of the Bundeswehr defensive army. Topics include a court ruling that the army could be deployed within Germany, citizenship rights and responsibilities of soldiers, and public support for German participation in foreign North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) missions such as Kosovo or Afghanistan.

The article focuses on the Afghan War. An air strike on Taliban insurgents ordered by a German officer in North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in that country resulted in the deaths of 125 people, many of them civilians. Germany's involvement with the war is politically unpopular, and the insurgency is gaining strength in the Kunduz region where German troops are stationed.

This article reports on national security in Germany and calls by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for the creation of a national security council and fewer armed forces limits. The CDU wants Germany to take a bigger role in conflict resolution and to send troops to assist in international crises without waiting for parliamentary approval. The article also discusses Chancellor Angel Merkel, domestic and home-based defense, and Germany's role in Europe.

The article focuses on Germany's armed forces and their awkward social status in that country. For the first time since World War II, German soldiers are serving in a foreign country, Afghanistan, and some 25 have died in action there. Germany, however, has no official medals or decorations for bravery in combat. Some have proposed returning to the historic Iron Cross, which is opposed by many as tainted by the country's Nazi past. Veterans' groups have proposed a compromise.

The article reports that Germany is reforming its army. The announcement was made from the Bendlerblock, the headquarters of the Wehrmacht in the Nazi era. The location was meant to indicate the Germany is prepared to take a larger military role in the world, but that it will not fall prey to militarism. The Bundewehr will create a force of 14,000 to act in five simultaneous international missions.

The article reports that German armed forces have been increasingly sent abroad. Germany is providing not only the bulk of the European Union contingent to the Democratic Republic of Congo, but also its commander, Karlheinz Viereck. The Congo mission has added significance in light of talk about European troops going to Lebanon during its conflict with Israel. German officials do not exclude that possibility, given Germany's historical responsibility to defend Israel. Others say it is precisely because of history that Germany cannot be seen near Israel's borders. Germany has become a big provider of peacekeeping troops.

This article focuses on the proposed reform of the German military. On January 13th, Peter Struck, the defence minister, announced a reform of the Bundeswehr that should make it easier to send troops to far-flung places. Over the past decade, political and legal roadblocks to German military action in trouble-spots have gone, but practical problems remain. Unlike Britain and France, Germany has been slow to adapt to a world in which conventional war in defence of the homeland is unlikely. Despite having 285,000 soldiers and an annual budget of over €24 billion ($30 billion), the Bundeswehr has had trouble mustering and equipping the 7,000-odd Germans on peacekeeping duty in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Mr Struck's reforms at least take on the challenge. He proposes to shrink the number of soldiers to 250,000, in order to boost, from 25% to 30%, the share of the military budget that goes on new weapons. He is also making big structural changes.

Focuses on German defense in light of finance minister Hans Eichel's budget cuts. Impact of the cuts on the German military and weapons systems; German role in European alliances in the wake of the spring 1999 war in Kosovo.

Ponders whether Germany can stop the influence of neo-Nazis into its armed forces. Effect of the infiltration on Defense Minister Voker Ruhe's chances of succeeding Helmut Kohl as chancellor; Increase in the number of reported cases of neo-Nazi behavior in the army; Lack of support for far-right parties in Germany; Vulnerability of the armed forces to extremists.

The article focuses on Germany's Army of Unity and reports that it has gotten rid of the militaristic flavor that had previously infected the army of East Germany. It is a testing time for men of the old communist army who want to soldier on. As the military cream of the communist party, they were beyond redemption, as were political officers and soldiers who confessed to having worked for the security police. Inner leadership, a non-militarist way of thinking drummed into citizens-in- uniform, encourages members of the armed forces to refuse orders that might infringe the law or personal rights.

The article reports that how despite a good plan and meticulous execution, the integration of the former East German army (NVA) into united Germany's Bundeswehr is not all running smoothly. The 393rd Panzer Battalion at Bad Saizungen has experienced most of the typical problems. Several of the NVA officers, including a battalion commander, had to be demoted, not in disgrace, but because promotions had been more rapid in East Germany than in West, and by West German standards these officers were too young for their rank.