When US President Barack Obama revealed the United States’ new Af-Pak strategy on 27 March 2009, it was received exceptionally positive by the American allies including Germany. A new momentum was given, to come up with comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the worsening situation in Afghanistan.

Germany was pleased by the change of paradigm in the new US strategy. Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier said, “finally we are on the path to a joint strategy, which will bring us joint success” and that the new US strategy “provides a great number of openings for aligning our approaches”. The emphasize of strengthening civil reconstructions efforts, paired with military efforts to provide security and to wipe out terrorists and extremist elements in Afghanistan, while at the same time shifting the focus to a regional approach and working closer together with Afghan security forces and neighbouring countries, is perceived as a promising new change in dealing with the situation in Afghanistan and eventually improving and strengthening the country’s stability