| The topic of the role of the Bundeswehr in the Federal Republic of Germany has been debated since Rearmament in 1955. Mainly because of Germany's militaristic past, there have always been doubts over the engagement of German soldiers overseas in the public and in government policy. Until Unification in 1990, politicians on the right and left, the peace movement and intellectuals generally have opted against the deployment of German troops overseas. Since 1990, this attitude is changing. Several historical policy changes are indicative of a sea change.; The voices that have always spoken out against German troop deployment overseas seem to have been silenced and even the traditionally pacifist Green party, sharing government responsibility, has aligned its policy with that of the NATO allies. The “New World Order” has put the pacifist belief system in the FRG in question and Germany has become an active member of the Western alliance. |
