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Germany's new role against terror

Yonah Alexander
October 2, 2007

In the post-September 11, 2001 era, the United States has emerged as the leading nation in combating terrorism. The United Kingdom, as America's most loyal partner in Europe, has provided vital political and strategic support in the global war against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

Since Gordon Brown replaced Tony Blair on June 27, the question has arisen whether No. 10 Downing Street will focus more on national challenges rather than regional and global security concerns, particularly in light of last summer's car bomb plots in London and Glasgow. If the answer is yes, it is likely Germany, the United States' other pre-eminent European ally in the War on Terror, will replace Britain as the key counterterrorism player in the region.

After all, Germany, under the leadership of Angela Merkel (who became the chancellor in 2005) has already undertaken important strategic and tactical steps in its capacity as president of the European Council during the first six months of 2007.

Mention should be made of Germany's leadership in implementing EU counterterrorism strategy in regard to preventing radicalization and the recruitment of terrorists, protecting ordinary citizens and infrastructure, pursuing and investigating suspects, and improving the response to consequences of attacks.

The visit to Washington, D.C. last month by Minister of Interior Wolfgang Schaeuble is the latest example of Germany's international cooperation efforts.

If one is to assess the possible outlook for Berlin's role in the coming months and years, it is important to provide a historical context of the country's past experience and lessons learned. Indeed, Germany has faced both domestic and international terrorism for decades. The domestic challenge to Germany initially developed in the late 1960s and 1970s, partly as a result of "under-identification" with the postwar democracy because of the nation's Nazi past.

The Red Army Faction (RAF), also known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang, became one of the most durable terrorist groups in Europe, operating into the early 1990s. Right-wing political violence, particularly against foreigners in Germany, also challenged national security. Moreover, the country had to cope with Middle Eastern spillover terrorism, including Iranian, Palestinian, Kurdish and Algerian threats.

As early as the 1970s, Germany established a computerized police and intelligence apparatus. The domestic databases, used for "grid searching," were adjusted in the post-September 11, 2001, period in an effort to prevent future attacks on the country.

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