THE TRANSATLANTIC relationship between the United States and Germany is burdened by a strange reverse logic: Politically, the rift between the two nations is at its harshest point since 1945, yet - on military and security matters - the relationship continues to be as strong as ever.
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To hear media reports, one would assume the strong transatlantic ties between the two countries was unraveling completely. However, a closer look at the military and security relationship indicates that, despite the political divide, both countries have been able to work pragmatically on even the most difficult political questions.
AS SOMEONE who has devoted his personal and professional life to strengthening U.S.-German relations, it is quite disheartening to read and hear disparaging reports that all Germans are anti-American and unappreciative of what the United States has done for them and their country. This is simply false.
To be certain, the recent political crisis, fueled in large part by the U.S.-led war in Iraq, has led many Germans - young and old - to believe that the United States will go it alone militarily without first seeking international approval.
Many Germans feel helpless in the face of American power as defined by our actions in Iraq. Because of Germany's nationalist and militarist past of the 20th century, the idea of national sovereignty and "going it alone" militarily is seen as dangerous and remains in ill repute.
For many Americans the issue of national sovereignty and autonomy which, in political terms, means the capacity to defend oneself, and when necessary to decide to wage war, does not usually come into question.
YET DESPITE these fundamental political disagreements the German government, at great expense to its standing in the polls, has shown its full support of the U.S.-led effort in Iraq by pledging that its special reconnaissance tanks in Kuwait - which are equipped to withstand chemical and biological weapons - would not be withdrawn, and that German personnel would remain aboard NATO reconnaissance planes.
This meant that both arms of the German military would actually be involved in war operations. At the same time, approximately 2,500 German soldiers have been providing base security at more than 50 U.S. bases in Germany since February.
Furthermore, as early as June the German government has said it was willing to send peacekeepers to Iraq to assist the U.S.-led effort, but only under a United Nations or NATO mandate. All of these operations are fully funded by the German government at no expense to the U.S. taxpayer.
REBUILDING IRAQ will take many years and private analysts have estimated the costs could reach $600 billion. Though the United States is unrivaled in its war-fighting capabilities, peacekeeping operations have traditionally received low priority. Yet peacekeeping operations is a core German strength. Germany currently has nearly 10,000 troops deployed in numerous international missions, working in concert with other countries under U.N. and NATO mandates to fight terrorism and secure peace.
Through its commitment to international cooperation, Germany has become the second-largest contributor of troops to multilateral missions after the United States deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait, the Horn of Africa, the Balkans and the Republic of Georgia.
Many in Congress have urged the Bush administration to do more to internationalize the Iraq peacekeeping effort and relieve the pressure on the nearly 150,000 U.S. military personnel currently serving there. Bringing in a highly disciplined, professionally trained German military with a successful record of peacekeeping would contribute to that effort. It is consistent with our national security strategy by strengthening our alliances with other countries to provide humanitarian, political, economic and security assistance.
A SENSE OF balance across the Atlantic must be recognized if our partnership is to sustain its vitality and strength. A better understanding of and appreciation of Germany's commitment in support of U.S. efforts on our part would do much to diffuse this political misunderstanding.
Unfortunately, U.S. media reporting is so clouded by disagreements and emotions over Iraq that the longstanding and on-going military and security relationship goes virtually unnoticed. Public debates are important, but they should not be allowed to create a false impression of alienation, which in reality does not exist.
(Editor's note: The writer is an associate professor of political science at Augusta State University.)
