Do you think Germany is keeping a low profile in the International arena?

Question

Do you think Germany is keeping a low profile in the International arena?

Answer 1

I wouldn't say they were in the news spotlight but I wouldn't be sure that it was an intentional attempt to keep a low profile. Maybe they are just watching and waiting.

Answer 2

Yes and No.

Germany is still measured on the results of WW I and W II, even if this is now 60 years ago, even  most of the people who lived in WW II and had responsibilty are dead. There is an expression in Germany for the actual generations "We feel responsible, but not guilty" (in a personal understanding). This has lead to the situation that every action taken by Germany outside of Germany is discussed in public (newspapers, TV, talkshows with politicians, parliament) very long and very intensiv, pointing out every possible action to be taken and every possible outcome. Germany is taken more and more responsibility in UN missions and also in the war against terrorism. Especially tough are decisios were soldiers have to be sent and would participate in a fight (Germany has lost around 16 Mio people in WW II and basically every family has been hit.)

But German foreihn policy is often used to avoid conflicts or in negotiations to de-escalate conflicts. It seems the US will ask Germany to take an active part in negotiations with Irak and neighbor countries to find a solution to de-escalate the situation in Irak and Germany will do (but you may do not read a lot about it). It is part of diplomacy that nobody looses its face and there has to be a high level of confidentiality.

Yes: because Gremany does a lot for direct human help missions, we have a law which grants every person in the world asylum which is threated because of his political believe, religion or other causes which are against the general declaration of human rights. During the war in Yugoslawia hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers has been taken in by Germany and helped.

Ther would a lot more to say here but space is limited.