opinion
There was enough time to develop plans for the fall of Kabul. But Germany shamelessly breaks its security promise, says our author. People who have worked for freedom and for a better country are in mortal danger.
From Frank Schmiechen
That is perhaps Germany’s greatest political failure in the Angela Merkel era. In front of the world, the Taliban’s murderous gangs have been making their way through Afghanistan for weeks, occupying all the major cities and taking the capital Kabul with almost no resistance. German nationals waited there to be rescued until the very end. While the Americans were about to fly out their compatriots, what happened in Germany: nothing.
Army turns out to be a mirage
Germany has been involved in Afghanistan for 20 years. We have built and supported an army that turns out to be a mirage during probation. Germany has developed a network of capable helpers and employees and promised these people to take care of their safety. But our promise vanished into thin air in the hour of greatest need. We just left these people and their families alone.
Where is our Foreign Minister Heiko Maas? Weeks ago he said that they had a plan just in case. Where is the plan? Where is our Chancellor? Angela Merkel could have made sure that we quickly drop the bureaucratic hurdles for rescuing people and finally start providing the promised help.
Frank Schmiechen
Frank Schmiechen has been a journalist for more than 30 years. Among other things, he was deputy editor-in-chief of “Welt” and editor-in-chief of “Gründerszene”. Today he works as a Senior Advisor at the communications consulting agency WMP Eurocom. Schmiechen loves pop music and football.
Every minute mattered. The Taliban troops will implement their vision of a godly state in no time at all. The first flogging can already be seen on Sunday afternoon on Twitter. It is devastating: women, employees of foreign organizations, anyone who does not follow Sharia law, must fear for their lives. Afghanistan is in free fall into the Middle Ages.
Now only prayer helps
Anyone who claims now that one could not have foreseen how quickly this development will take place has to put up with a few counter questions. What do we have a secret service for? Is there actually someone in the Foreign Office who takes care of foreign policy matters? Why didn’t we start developing a plan for this situation weeks ago? Why does it take so long?
Instead, we have set up bureaucratic hurdles to rescue German citizens and their employees. Visas should be issued. Many people in Afghanistan have waited a long time for this with a lot of confidence in the German state. That trust has been destroyed. Before we talk about the political consequences, after a chain of misjudgments and failures, the politically responsible can only pray that as many lives as possible will be saved.
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
