The mission of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Afghanistan is seen as a test of the alliance's political will and military capabilities. The allies are seeking 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. 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.


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    Title :

    NATO in Afghanistan: A Test of the Transatlantic Alliance, October 23, 2007


    Contributors:
    P. Gallis (author)

    Publication date :

    2007


    Size :

    28 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English