Bundeswehr
The armed forces of the German Federal Republic were founded in 1955 and are named “Bundeswehr”. Until 1990 the troop strength was limited to a maximum of 495,000 soldiers. Their operations were limited to humanitarian aid in case of natural disasters, floodings or forest fires. The end of the cold war was a turning point of the global security situation and resulted in fundamental changes in the operation profile of Bundeswehr which also led to a reduction of personnel. International organizations and alliance partners claimed a German participation in armed international peacekeeping operations. Since this time the Bundeswehr is involved in operations all around the world and transformed from an army of defense to an (since 2011 - voluntary) intervention army. This process is accompanied by a political and social debate about its future. Germany supplies one of the biggest numbers of troops for EU- and NATO operations. For the deployment of German soldiers an UN-mandate is necessary. Former debates, for example in 2003 about a participation in Iraq War, demonstrate that this requirement may lead to disputes with the allies.
