The government had long been dragging its feet but has now finally accepted that the German military presence in Afghanistan is a question of war.German soldiers in the Hindu Kush are involved in fighting on almost a daily basis - and the casualties are mounting. After distancing herself from the issue, Chancellor Angela Merkel is now going on the offensive and has for the first time attended a memorial service for three fallen soldiers - making her the first post-WWII German leader to do so.