The stabilization mission in Afghanistan has profoundly shaped the foreign and security policy of the Federal Republic of Germany like no previous international engagement. The German contribution to the reconstruction of the country was characterized by a comprehensive approach, where security and development were meant to intertwine. However, the reality in the mission country posed enormous challenges for German soldiers, diplomats, development workers, and police trainers. The end of the mandate of the international protection force ISAF at the turn of 2015 provides an opportunity to document the experiences and lessons learned by the various civilian and military actors involved. In light of a mixed success record, as well as the current crises and conflicts at the edges of Europe, such a review of the mission is of extraordinary relevance. The anthology brings together a unique diversity of perspectives from experienced military and civilian leaders. The picture is completed by analyses of the strategic concepts that shaped the mission, insights from the individual federal ministries, and personal reflections from significant political decision-makers. Contributions from: Phillip Ackermann, Hans-Peter Bartels, Jörg Bentmann, Christian von Blumröder, Marcel Bohnert, Axel Dohmen, Udo Ewertz, Dirk Freudenberg, Hans-Werner Fritz, Axel Gablik, Dorothea Gieselmann, Volker Halbauer, Stefan Hansen, Jannis Jost, Bruno Kasdorf, Joachim Krause, Wolfgang Lauenroth, Winfried Nachtwei, John A. Nagl, Stefan Oswald, Wolf Plesmann, Hans-Joachim Ruff-Stahl, Helge Rücker, Marcus Schaper, Ulrich Schlie, Björn Schreiber, Robin Schroeder, Hendrik Staigis, Gerald Stöter, Christine Toetzke, Christopher Urbas, Florian Wätzel, and Matthias Weber.