Nato's Enduring Presence In Afghanistan: Examining The Number Of Member Countries Involved

NATO's involvement in Afghanistan began in 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Over the course of 20 years, more than 50 NATO and non-NATO nations contributed troops and resources to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, with the goal of building a stable Afghanistan free from terrorism. At its peak, the ISAF coalition included over 130,000 troops from 50 countries.

NATO's combat mission in Afghanistan ended in 2014, but coalition troops remained to train and advise Afghan security forces. In 2021, following the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's return to power, NATO evacuated its personnel and Afghan associates, bringing an end to its military presence in the country.

NATO's involvement in Afghanistan

The initial goal of the mission was to deny international terrorist networks in Afghanistan the ability to launch attacks on NATO member countries. The mission was also aimed at preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists and ensuring that the country would not be used as a base for terrorist attacks, as it had been during the 9/11 attacks.

In August 2003, NATO took command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which was established in December 2001 under the UN mandate. ISAF's primary objective was to enable the Afghan government to provide effective security across the country and develop new Afghan security forces. ISAF was one of the largest coalitions in history, with troops from 50 NATO and partner nations at its peak.

The ISAF mission was a challenging one for NATO, as it involved combat operations, cooperative security outreach, and humanitarian development projects. It also required coordination with other international organizations and the Afghan government. The mission evolved over time, with a shift from combat operations to training, advising, and assisting the Afghan security forces.

In 2015, NATO launched the Resolute Support Mission (RSM) to continue providing training, advice, and assistance to the Afghan security forces and institutions. This mission was terminated in September 2021 following the withdrawal of RSM forces.

Overall, NATO's involvement in Afghanistan lasted nearly two decades and played a significant role in the country's security and development. However, the mission faced challenges, and the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and security forces in 2021 led to the evacuation of NATO personnel and the end of NATO's presence in the country.

The Taliban's resurgence

Withdrawal of US and NATO Troops:

The decision by the Trump administration to sign a peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020 set in motion the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan. This was followed by President Biden's commitment to withdraw all US troops, which was completed in August 2021. The loss of air support and military contractors who maintained US-provided equipment dealt a significant blow to the Afghan security forces. As former CIA Director David Petraeus noted, the Afghan forces had become reliant on this support, and its withdrawal left them vulnerable to the Taliban's offensive.

Taliban's Resilience and Strategic Planning:

The Taliban proved to be more resilient and capable than expected. They had strong support from Pakistan and were able to take advantage of the country's complex regional dynamics. They also carefully planned their offensive, pre-positioning weapons and coordinating their attacks to rapidly capture territory.

Failure of Nation-Building Efforts:

Despite significant progress in areas such as education, women's rights, and free media, the nation-building efforts in Afghanistan ultimately failed to create a stable and democratic government. Corruption, venality, and the influence of radical Islamist thinking undermined these efforts. The Taliban effectively portrayed themselves as an anti-colonial liberation movement, gaining support from those who opposed Western intervention.

Impact of Regional Dynamics:

Afghanistan's location in Central Asia made it a focal point for competing interests and ideologies. Pakistan played a significant role in supporting the Taliban, seeing them as a partner in their competition with India. China, Russia, and other regional powers also had their own interests in the region, further complicating the situation.

The convergence of these factors created a perfect storm that led to the Taliban's resurgence and the collapse of the Afghan government. The speed and magnitude of their victory took many by surprise, and it remains to be seen how the Taliban will govern the country and what impact their rule will have on the region and the world.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

The withdrawal process was chaotic and tumultuous, with the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's swift takeover. The US and its allies struggled to evacuate their personnel and Afghan associates, and thousands of Afghans who had assisted Western forces were left behind. The withdrawal also sparked a refugee crisis as many Afghans fled the country, fearing persecution under the Taliban regime.

The US withdrawal had significant implications for Afghanistan and the region. It resulted in the Taliban regaining control of the country and imposed severe restrictions on civil society, particularly limiting women's rights and access to education. Additionally, it created an economic collapse and a humanitarian crisis, with nearly half of the population facing food insecurity. The failure of the US to anticipate and prevent these outcomes led to widespread criticism and questions about the decision-making process.

The withdrawal also had consequences for US-NATO relations, as allies felt that the US did not adequately consult them on the withdrawal timeline. It raised questions about the dependence of European countries on the US for their security and sparked debates about the need for Europe to invest in its own security and build its military capabilities.

Despite the challenges and criticisms, the US maintained that the withdrawal was necessary to end its longest war and shift its focus to other priorities. However, the aftermath of the withdrawal highlighted the complexities and difficulties of nation-building and counterinsurgency efforts, as well as the limitations of US power and influence in the region.

The evacuation of Kabul

The evacuation was carried out by the US and its coalition partners, including the UK, who deployed over 1,000 military personnel as part of Operation Pitting. The operation was in response to the rapid military offensive by the Taliban to take control of Afghanistan. The Taliban's major insurgent offensive began in May 2021, and by July, the US Intelligence Community estimated that the government of Afghanistan would collapse within 6 to 12 months after the departure of American troops. This timeline was shortened to one month in August, and the Afghan government collapsed within days.

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban captured Kabul, and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan collapsed. The US and its coalition partners began airlifting evacuations from Kabul International Airport (known then as Hamid Karzai International Airport), which remained under NATO and US military control despite the collapse of the central government. Evacuees included foreign diplomatic staff and military personnel, third-country civilians, Afghan allies, and vulnerable Afghans such as journalists and human rights activists.

The evacuation was a chaotic and dangerous operation. Thousands of civilians rushed to the airport, with some climbing over boundary walls to enter. US soldiers deployed smoke grenades and fired warning shots to control the crowd. Video footage showed hundreds of people running alongside a moving US Air Force plane, with some clinging onto it. At least seven people died during this stage, including two armed men shot by US soldiers, and several others were injured.

The situation at the airport remained tense and dangerous throughout the evacuation. On August 26, an ISIS suicide bombing killed over 180 people and injured over 150. Among the casualties were 13 American troops and 169 Afghan civilians. A US drone strike a few days later mistakenly killed 10 civilians, including seven children.

The evacuation efforts were also complicated by the Taliban, who did not comply with the airlift and tensions surrounding the airport remained high. However, the Taliban did assist in the evacuation effort by providing security and screening evacuees.

The US and its coalition partners evacuated more than 120,000 people from Afghanistan via Kabul International Airport between August 14 and 31, 2021. The final RAF evacuation flights took place on August 28, and the last remaining British military personnel left Afghanistan on the same day. The US completed its evacuation on August 30, and the Taliban marched into the airport, declaring that "Afghanistan is finally free".

The future of NATO

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is the world's largest and most powerful military alliance. It has been a cornerstone of security in Europe and of US foreign policy for six decades. However, its ability to continue playing a central role is unclear.

NATO's History

NATO was created by 12 countries from Europe and North America in 1949. Since then, 20 more countries have joined through 10 rounds of enlargement. At present, NATO has 32 member countries.

NATO's Future

To remain relevant, NATO must expand its vision of collective defense and recognize the full range of threats that confront its members today. It must also affirm that the alliance will respond collectively to an act that imperils the political, economic security, or territorial integrity of a member state, whether by an outside state or a non-state entity.

Strengthening the Alliance

NATO has launched the NATO 2030 initiative to ensure the alliance remains ready to face tomorrow's challenges. As part of this initiative, NATO leaders agreed on an agenda to strengthen the alliance over the next decade and beyond. This includes making sure NATO remains strong militarily, becomes even stronger politically, and takes a more global approach.

Expanding Cooperation

NATO should expand its cooperation with non-European democracies, such as Australia and Japan. It should also work to improve relations with Russia and increase cooperation with the European Union.

Enlargement

NATO should keep the door open to Georgia and Ukraine, recognizing that they will not join the alliance anytime soon.

Adapting to New Circumstances

To remain relevant and adjust to new circumstances, NATO must identify its main challenges and opportunities in the next ten years and beyond. This includes understanding the changing threat landscape, shifting internal dynamics, and the evolution of warfare.

Addressing Criticisms

Some have criticized NATO for its handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, arguing that there was a lack of consultation and joint planning among allies. There is also a perception that NATO is too dependent on the US for its security.

NATO has been a cornerstone of security in Europe and US foreign policy for six decades. However, its future is uncertain as the threats facing its members have evolved. To remain relevant, NATO must expand its vision of collective defense, recognize the full range of threats, and adapt to new circumstances.

Frequently asked questions