NATO in Afghanistan: A Test of the Transatlantic Alliance
Abstract
The mission of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Afghanistan is a test of the alliance's political will and military capabilities. The allies intended to create a "new" NATO, able to go beyond the European theater and combat new threats such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Afghanistan is NATO's first "out-of-area" mission beyond Europe. The purpose of the mission is the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan. The mission is a difficult one because it must take place while combat operations against Taliban insurgents continue. Recent assessments of the current situation in Afghanistan point to a rise in the overall level of violence due to increased Taliban military activity and an increase in terrorist-related activities including, suicide bombings. U.N. Security Council resolutions govern NATO's responsibilities. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) faces formidable obstacles: shoring up a weak government in Kabul: using military capabilities in a distant country with rugged terrain: and rebuilding a country devastated by war and troubled by a resilient narcotics trade. NATO's mission statement lays out the essential elements of the task of stabilizing and rebuilding the country: train the Afghan army, police, and judiciary: support the government in counter-narcotics efforts: develop a market infrastructure: and suppress the Taliban.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 18, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA485984
Entities
People
- Paul E. Gallis
- Vincent Morelli
Organizations
- Library of Congress