n November 26, Germany announced it would back France fighting against IS in Syria. Berlin is to send 4-6 Tornado reconnaissance jets, a naval frigate, an aerial refueling tanker and satellite images to “fight together with the French people”, as Chancellor Merkel vowed. Yet according to her defense minister, Germany would limit its role to providing assistance and would not bombard the jihadists at first hand.

Germany’s military intervention is more like a gesture to show its unity with France. It has maintained its usual prudence, but made a good publicity of it. This has much to do with its history, diplomatic philosophy, and military strength.

Germany was the origin of two World Wars, which brought untold sufferings to other countries. The country itself was on the verge of total destruction too. The fear of war is deeply rooted in German mentality, and that is why ever since the end of the WWII, Berlin has been extremely cautious in using force. Its basic principle is to be discreet and exercise self-constraint. Germany was reluctantly persuaded by the U.S. to enter the war in Kosovo and Afghanistan, but the decision was widely criticized back home. Wars are deadly and costly, and Germans have well learnt enough of that, so they are doing their best to avoid.

Another reason is not to stimulate domestic Muslims. At the moment, more than 4 million Muslims live in Germany, who keep a weak but durable religious tie with the Middle East, and even, Syria. Domestic conflicts on religious and cultural ground between Christians and Muslims are intensifying. Earlier this year, a survey showed that around 60% of Germans would think of Muslims as a threat to German society.

On the other hand, many Muslims in Germany feel being excluded from the mainstream society, and find it hard to integrate. There is growing anxiety within the government for the more formidable barrier that sets Christian ‘natives’ and Muslims apart, which would lead to social unrest, if the federal republic were to be involved in a long-lasting and full-fledged military conflict with the Islamic world in the Middle East.

As a matter of fact, France shares the concern of its Teutonic neighbor. At home, the integration of a big Muslim community remains a challenge; abroad, to step up the strikes against IS, France has to ask for help from Russia and EU partners, who are not free from trouble either, the refugee flows as a case in point. They are not likely to combat in the Middle East in full strength.

Maybe it is time for Europe to see the lesson, and come to terms with the fact that its past military glory has long gone. Finding out the true origin of terrorism and putting in place a political settlement may bring some hope.

The author is the Chair of the University Council of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU).

(Translated by Francis Fangzhou ZHOU)

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The translations for this column are contributed by the faculty and students of SISU's Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translation (GIIT).