Germany now officially uses military to get natural resources

[AuroraGlacialis]

Die klassische Landesverteidigung gegen eindringende Feinde soll nicht länger das wichtigste Ziel sein. Es geht um den Schutz deutscher Sicherheitsinteressen, auch der Wirtschaftsinteressen. Die Bundeswehr müsse im Notfall auch bereitstehen, der Exportnation Deutschland den Zugang zu den Märkten der Welt und ihren natürlichen Ressourcen zu sichern und zwar "zu Lande, zu Wasser und in der Luft", wie de Maizière es formuliert.

De Maizière erklärt die Bundeswehrreform - Der Oberbefehlshaber - Politik - sueddeutsche.de
rough translation:

The defense of the country against attacking enemies shall no longer be our primary goal. The goal is the protection of German security interests, including economical interests. The German Army has to participate in acute situations to secure access to the global markets and natural resources for the predominantly export oriented nation Germany. "This includes land-based, air-based and sea-based operations" says German defense minister De Maizere.

I guess now would be a good time to rename the "ministry of defense" to "ministry of war" or to merge it with the "ministry of economy" right away. Up to now at least they CLAIMED to use military only for the defense, but I guess the lessons from WWII are wearing off. This leaves little doubt that even the supposedly more "humanitarian and environmental" countries rely on taking resources from other countries by force. If they want to trade, then thats fine - if not, we're just going to take it anyways. (Fill in appropriate Avatar quotes if you like)

[HufweMakto]

Real life SECFORS/RDA?!

[seykxel txe´lan]

I think this video goes along with what is happening.

listen to the lyrics

[Aihwa]

In the future, 10,000 soldiers are ready for permanent assignment abroad. This compares with about 7,000 soldiers in international missions anywhere in the world, most under the ISAF mandate in Afghanistan.

Overall, the army today has over 220,000 soldiers. The future it must be at least 170,000 and a maximum of 185,000. These should be at least 5,000 volunteer community service.

Exactly those of the Minister thinks well when he says there are "too many bars and too many general staffs. The powers are "often unclear," the head of department. Because "too much oversight for too little work" was. It will be "moved from the bottom up" too much responsibility.

Who starts out the same, must deliver - de Maizière The Ministry does that he will reduce to 2,000 people. That means for at least 1,500 employees that they will no longer be part of the resort. The Minister promised that all hierarchy levels will be affected by the downsizing.

De Maizière plans to cut back generous: At least one executive level falls away completely. The army will be reduced from eleven to eight brigades. In the future, the Air Force leadership at the division level will be deleted. De Maizière: "Now you realize that this was not just the reduction of rods then Sun said." No later than at this moment may at any doubters in the room and the screens have noticed that the bell tolls.

As usual... Half the article goes unquoted....

Full translation

[AuroraGlacialis]

I do not understand how these jumbled google-translate sniplets make any point at all. Yes, the military spending and number of soldiers is to be cut, but that does not change that for the first time since WWII the german military that was sworn to only to exist as a defensive force now officially aims to become an offensive army. The ONE lesson Germany learned from the NAZI regime was "never again" - Never again, German soldiers should fight wars on foreign grounds. But who cares, that was 70 years ago ...

[Aihwa]

Their downsizing and modernizing their army. Wars are no longer fought over territory or between countries. There won't be another WWII scenario, countries cant afford to fight wars like that in this day and age. The German army will act like every other modern force is these days, being ready and able to deploy overseas to assist smaller nations, or engage in strikes against terrorist cells. Also, if that's the only lesson Germany learned from the Nazi's, allot of Jews are going to have trouble sleeping tonight.

[AuroraGlacialis]

Yes, there were many more lessons, but that one was the one that had a major influence on the laws and regulations, on the constitution of this country. It was a unique step to put this into the basic laws. The other lessons that were learned basically "just" consisted in coming to the same laws that other countries have, but for the state to adopt a rule to never kill in offense again (be it Jews inside the country or other people in other countries) was going a step beyond what other countries have within their laws.

(I am speaking only of legislative lessons here - there are of course many more lessons in terms of social and moral, though if I apply them here, I am silenced with reference to some Godwins law)

And my criticism was, as should be obvious not against the downsizing and i did not even mention "assisting smaller countries" or the big terrorism scare. The point is, that it is now a major part of the mission of the German army to secure access to natural resources and markets. This is not assisting anyone - it is purely selfish in economic terms.

[Aihwa]

Securing natural resources and markets means keeping smaller volatile nations stable. (and by extension, rooting out terror groups)

[Tsyal Makto]

Being a world constable is also extremely expensive, as the US's growing debt from three wars is showing. The German people have a good thing going. They have a strong economy given the global situation, they don't need to go sticking their faces into other countries' business. This is just a military-industrial complex waiting to happen.

I usually hate Republicans, but I think Ron Paul has it right about non-interventionist foreign policies.

[Aihwa]

Its not about being global police. The US has unchecked spending in regards to military spending and doesn't know when to quit. Germany has the right idea, do more with less.