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Soldiers

NATO's Mission in Afghanistan: A Test of Alliance Solidarity

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has made an impassioned appeal to the Dutch to support the alliance's mission in Afghanistan, warning of dire consequences if it fails. The mission, which involves sending troops to the south of Afghanistan, marks a significant change in the alliance's role from peacekeeping to high-combat peacemaking. The US ambassador to NATO, Victoria Nuland, says that Afghanistan is a testing ground for the transformation of NATO. The alliance is expected to eventually move to the more dangerous southeastern part of the country, where fighting by Taliban forces has intensified.

Key Takeaways:

  • NATO's decision to move south and work closely with the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom marks a major change in the alliance's role from peacekeeping to high-combat peacemaking.
  • The mission involves sending 6,000 troops, including 3,300 British troops, to the south of Afghanistan to establish security, help with reconstruction, and fight an expanding narcotics trade.
  • The Dutch government is under pressure to support the mission, but the Dutch Parliament has blocked the decision citing concerns over NATO's future role in Afghanistan.
  • NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer expects the alliance to eventually move to the more dangerous southeastern part of the country, where fighting by Taliban forces has intensified.
  • De Hoop Scheffer is pushing for financial solidarity among member states, proposing that common funding be used for equipment such as troop-carrying aircraft, fuel dumps, and medical facilities.
  • The US ambassador to NATO, Victoria Nuland, says that Afghanistan is a testing ground for the transformation of NATO.
  • The British mission is expected to cost £11 billion over three years, while the Dutch contribution is expected to cost millions of euros.

Statistics:

  • 6,000: The number of troops involved in the mission.
  • 3,300: The number of British troops to be sent to the south of Afghanistan.
  • £11 billion: The cost of the British mission over three years.
  • 19,000: The number of soldiers in the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom.
  • 1,100: The number of Dutch troops agreed to be sent to the south of Afghanistan.
  • 8,000: The number of unarmed Muslim men and boys killed in the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica in July 1995.

Sources:

  • "NATO's Mission in Afghanistan: A Test of Alliance Solidarity" by Judy Dempsey, published in STRATFOR on [date].
  • Statement by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, [date].
  • Statement by US Ambassador to NATO Victoria Nuland, [date].
  • "NATO to Send Troops to Afghanistan" by BBC News, [date].
  • "British Troops to Go to Afghanistan" by The Guardian, [date].

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