Ever since reunification, Germany’s role in, and contribution to, EU and international security has been a source of debate both within and outside Germany. The spate of international conflicts in the 1990s, especially within European borders, sparked off a lively debate on whether a reunited, and therefore stronger, Germany should shoulder more of the burden in international conflict resolution. Traditionally, the main obstacle to a more militarily oriented German foreign and security policy has been deep-seated anti-militarist sentiments combined with pacifist inclinations within Germany. While the country has eventually responded with deeper engagement in these matters, it has done so inconsistently.