The military culture, strategy and foreign policy of many nations has evolved since the events of 9/11. While Germany is seen as the as the most important lead nation in the current European debt crisis and in European economic matters, it is still often perceived as an unreliable and hesitant alliance partner in security affairs. However, the tremendous challenge of Afghanistan, most importantly the violent mission reality, has changed the Federal Republic's strategic culture, i.e. the way it looks at the use of military force. This book analyses this change in detail and explores the wider challenge of balancing culture and strategy for different global states in the midst of a global war against terrorism. It explores and answers critical questions including; has the Federal Republic become a 'normal' power that does not shy away from fighting counterinsurgencies and using the military to advance and protect its interests, and how did the lessons learned in Afghanistan change this, and other countries' strategic outlook and its armed forces?

1. On the Cultural Foundations of Warfare -- 2. Setting the Scene: The US War on Terrorism -- 3. Alliance Solidarity after 9-11 -- 4. Escalation in Afghanistan -- 5. The Stabilization Narrative Explodes -- 6. German Ways of Counterinsurgency -- 7. Afghanistan's Legacy? -- Conclusion.