Merkel to Testify on Germany's Afghanistan Withdrawal

Angela Merkel to testify on Germany's controversial Afghanistan withdrawal, dubbed “biggest NATO debacle” since its founding.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel is set to testify before the Bundestag's inquiry committee on Afghanistan on December 5. The committee is investigating why Merkel's government was caught off guard when the Taliban seized power in August 2021, and why the evacuation of German citizens and local Afghan personnel was chaotic at times.

The inquiry committee is looking into the decision-making procedures and actions of the German government, as well as the intelligence services and their interactions with foreign actors. The committee was established in July 2022 and is expected to present its final report before the current legislative period ends in 2025.

Merkel's testimony is highly anticipated, as her government's handling of the Taliban's takeover and the subsequent evacuation efforts have been widely criticized. The inquiry committee's investigation aims to provide clarity on the events surrounding the Taliban's seizure of power and to identify lessons learned for future crisis management.

Heiko Maas, Germany's former Foreign Minister, recently testified about the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. Maas admitted that the German government, intelligence services, and international community had underestimated the situation, saying “All of us... misjudged the situation.” This acknowledgment comes after Maas had previously claimed that the Taliban marching unopposed into the Afghan capital was “very unlikely.”

Maas's testimony is part of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Taliban's takeover. The inquiry is examining the actions of the German government, including Maas and Development Minister Gerd Müller, who were also questioned. The investigation aims to provide clarity on the events leading up to the Taliban's seizure of power.

Maas's admission highlights the widespread underestimation of the Taliban's strength and the speed of their takeover. The international community, including Germany, had anticipated a more gradual transition of power. However, the Taliban's rapid advance caught many off guard, leading to a chaotic evacuation of foreign forces and civilians.

Former German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas recently testified before an inquiry committee, providing his assessment of the German government's policy in Afghanistan. Maas described the cooperation within the government as “very transparent and thorough.” However, he acknowledged that there were different interpretations on specific factual issues, saying “But everyone tried to make the best of the situation.”

Maas also expressed his view that the issuing of visas for local Afghan personnel could have been handled better. Many Afghan personnel were afraid of Taliban revenge, and Maas surmised that “It may have been possible to get a lot of people out earlier if an agreement had been reached more quickly.” The committee's chairman, Jörg Nürnberger, found Maas' account plausible, noting that a fatal misjudgment was made at all levels of the German government involved in the Afghanistan mission.

According to Nürnberger, information from the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) resulted in an incorrect assessment of the Taliban's military capabilities. This misjudgment had significant consequences, as acknowledged by CDU party chief Armin Laschet, who described the withdrawal of Western troops from Afghanistan as the “biggest debacle” that NATO has suffered since its founding. The German army's evacuation operation has also been criticized for its handling of Afghan staff and family members, who were not granted visas or evacuated promptly despite the Taliban's advances.

Gerd Müller, the former Development Minister, recently testified that even in August 2021, his ministry was planning to continue its activities in Afghanistan. Müller described the hasty withdrawal of international troops as an “absolute surprise.” This testimony provides insight into the German government's actions leading up to the Taliban's takeover.

Müller's testimony is part of an ongoing inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the Taliban's seizure of power. Angela Merkel, the former German Chancellor, and her Foreign Minister Heiko Maas were in office during the Bundeswehr pullout of Afghanistan. Merkel's upcoming testimony is highly anticipated, with many expecting her to provide clarity on the German government's decision-making process.

According to Jörg Nürnberger, the chairman of the inquiry committee, Merkel's role in the events leading up to the Taliban's takeover is not entirely clear. Nürnberger noted that it is unclear whether Merkel's role was that of a coordinator or a moderator, and that there is little evidence that she exerted any direct influence. However, Nürnberger also pointed out that Merkel had advocated for a large-scale evacuation of local Afghan personnel, saying “She had advocated for a large-scale evacuation of local Afghan personnel.”

As Angela Merkel prepares to testify, her recently published memoirs offer valuable insights into her decision-making process during the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. In her book, Merkel recounts being briefed by her Defense Minister, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, on August 13, 2021, just two days before the Taliban's ultimate victory. Merkel describes the escalating situation around Kabul and her immediate response, saying “The next morning, in a telephone conference with the ministers responsible, I gave Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer the go-ahead to begin detailed preparations for an evacuation.”

Merkel's account highlights the rapid deterioration of the situation in Afghanistan and the German government's efforts to respond to the crisis. The memoirs provide a unique perspective on the events leading up to the Taliban's takeover and the subsequent evacuation efforts. As Merkel prepares to testify, her memoirs will likely serve as a key reference point for the committee, offering valuable insights into the German government's decision-making process during this critical period.