03.09.2009, ein Beitrag von Shafiah F. Muhibat, Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); Doktorandin am Institut für Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik, Universität Hamburg.

Since its reunification and the end of the Cold War, Germany's security policies, in particular in the context of international security, has evolved significantly. Along with its involvement in Bosnia and later Kosovo, German troops took on a significant role in international peacekeeping missions.

Indeed, Germany has different roles to play in promoting international security, which are not limited to peacekeeping missions. Germany has the potential to contribute more to the development of security sector in various developing countries.

Even though Germany does not have any direct security policy interests in the Southeast Asian region as of yet, the German federal government aims towards a particular objective of communicating the necessity of regional confidence building and conflict prevention in Southeast Asia.

The methods for promoting security cooperation include a discussion on the European, or more specifically German, experience in undertaking regional stability. Presently, this takes place mostly in the form of training programmes, conferences on crisis prevention, and institutional counselling with civilian control of the armed forces. This is the proper policy direction for Germany specifically, and for the European Union in general. With German soldiers currently taking part in eight UN security missions, the interesting question to ask is whether Germany should expand this number should the UN require more of the similar assistance elsewhere?

Thus, should German regional security policy mainly focus in Germany’s role as a capacity building partner for its Southeast Asian counterparts? Some Southeast Asian countries are currently undergoing significant security sector reform. Would the direction of these reforms be of significance, both regionally and globally? There is considerable lack of training and expertise. Hence, the role of countries like Germany becomes highly significant as a capacity building partner.

German foreign policy in the Southeast Asian region emphasises on the importance of and the advancement of democracy. Thus, does Germany contribute enough to capacity building on the comprehension and implementation of international law, particularly with regards to human rights and peace building? Or are in the end economic relations more important than the promotion of international security and human rights?