From Afghanistan, for Germany, right before the coming German general election, get it?

“Although the issue has so far not played a big part in the run-up to Germany’s September 27 federal election, polls show most voters want the 4,200 German troops in Afghanistan as part of a six-year-old NATO mission to return home.”

“Geman Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a member of the Social Democrats (SPD) who share power with Merkel’s conservatives, said once it became clear who would lead Afghanistan after last Thursday’s election there, talks should begin over how long foreign troops should stay.”

And he didn’t say it with any desperation in his voice either, honest.

“We need to agree with the new Afghan president…how long international troops should remain in Afghanistan.”