Decoration and Departure

[unhappycamper]

Decoration and Departure
Neues Deutschland, Germany
By René Heilig
Translated By Ron Argentati
13 August 2010
Edited by Patricia Simoni

German Army Lieutenant General Bruno Kasdorf was just decorated. What for? Well, Afghanistan Commander U.S. General David Petraeus probably knows why he awarded his Chief of Staff the Legion of Merit. Maybe we’ll soon see leaked documents with Kasdorf’s signature on the internet, courtesy of WikiLeaks . . .

One reason for the award may well be the fact that Kasdorf is heading back to Germany to take over the position of Deputy Chief of the German Army. But the rumor is that Kasdorf’s vacancy with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) won’t be filled by another German General. Very strange. Berlin has always been careful to ensure it has kept its rightful place in defending German liberty in Afghanistan.

Abstaining from command in Afghanistan may be a composite part of the German disengagement strategy. Since it’s obvious that NATO won’t be leaving Afghanistan with flags flying but rather with its tail between its legs, nobody wants to be seen as part of that group blamed for what will effectively be a defeat for the West. No matter. The time has long since come for us to take responsibility for the civilian reconstruction of Afghanistan. Fortunately, with no eye toward medals and decorations.