Photo Gallery Training in Afghanistan
German troops have been in Afghanistan since the beginning of the NATO operation in 2002. Mostly, Germany has focused on training Afghan troops and police along with providing aid for reconstruction projects.
US soldiers on patrol in the remote Shemgal Valley in Afghanistan in February. US President Barack Obama has decided to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan in an attempt to put more military pressure on the Taliban. He also plans to try and negotiate with moderate Islamists in Afghanistan.
Berlin has preferred to invest money in police training. But results have been mixed.
The US has long had a much different conception of the was in Afghanistan than its European allies. The competing visions threaten to make the next phase in the conflict a difficult one.
German troops preparing to head to Afghanistan last Friday.
