In the past one week NATO member countries such as, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany have expressed their dissatisfaction towards the continuing NATO military operations in Afghanistan and have declared that, not further troops will be committed from these countries.

However. Germany’s decision to hold back reinforcements into the region. It seems is taking its toll on the German combat contingent currently stationed northern Afghanistan. The sudden spike in insurgent and militant activities has strained the German troops to their limits. The soldiers have found themselves in the middle of a war, where survival of the fittest is the only rule of the battle. Such intense and bloody confrontations are a first for the German army, since the end of the second World War.

The German troops have been battling for survival and the respect of their country. As far as survival is concerned, the increasing Taliban attacks in the northern city of Kunduz have put the soldiers on the edge. However, these young men and women from Germany also have a huge task of changing the world’s opinion against the German resolve of never sending troops to overseas combat theaters.

The German soldiers are governed by iron clad rules of engagement, prohibiting them from preemptive fire and advocates the ‘shoot at last’ policy. Although this doctrine had, adopted by Germany is more in tune with the times in peace, yet the current situation in Afghanistan, does not give second chances and the continuous strict rules of engagement are creating a rift between the German forces and other NATO member countries. As this kind of different engagement protocols can lead to mass confusion, that can ultimately end in disaster.

Via New York Times.