U.S. Cancels NATO Flag-Lowering Ceremony In Afghanistan

A U.S. flag is lowered as American and Afghan soldiers attend a handover ceremony from the U.S. Army to the Afghan National Army, at Camp Anthonic, in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, May 2, 2021. (Afghan Ministry of Defense Press Office via AP)  

NBC: Confusion in Afghanistan as U.S. cancels NATO flag-lowering ceremony 

The U.S. military planned to hold a flag-lowering ceremony on Friday with NATO in Kabul. The event was cancelled amid questions over what it signified. 

WASHINGTON — The U.S.-led military mission in Afghanistan planned to hold a flag-lowering ceremony on Friday in Kabul with NATO allies but the event was cancelled at the last moment amid questions over what the ceremony was meant to signify, according to three U.S. Defense officials. 

The cancellation reflected a wider sense of confusion and uncertainty surrounding the U.S. troop withdrawal, with defense contractors appealing for more guidance from Washington, former Afghan interpreters pleading for protection from the Taliban and the U.S. embassy hit by a major Covid-19 outbreak. 

President Joe Biden announced in April that all U.S. troops would leave Afghanistan by Sept. 11, but the pullout is moving faster than scheduled. Pentagon officials say the U.S. military withdrawal is on track to be wrapped up about two months earlier, by the middle of July or even by early July.  

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WNU Editor: This sounds like one of those cases where the left hand did not know what the right hand was doing. This is what confusion looks like, and more evidence to me that the White House, after finalizing the decision to leave Afghanistan, have gone AWOL.

Do NATO Members Support The Unconditional U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan?

 

CNN: NATO leaders at summit back Biden's decision to pull troops out of Afghanistan 

Brussels (CNN)NATO leaders meeting in Brussels on Monday largely backed President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, according to a senior administration official present for the talks, as the US President made his first trip to the alliance's headquarters since taking office. 

Biden arrived at the gathering with a vow to reaffirm the United States' commitment to a military alliance his predecessor viewed with disdain. 

He placed enhanced attention on Russia and China, along with the cyber-threats emanating from both countries. 

A final communiqué issued by the group highlighted the "threat" presented by Russia and the "challenges" posed by China following the meeting on Monday. 

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WNU Editor: CNN is saying that a Biden administration official told them that NATO supports President Biden's decision to leave Afghanistan unconditionally. I am not sure about that as noted by Politico .... Biden heads to NATO amid friction over Afghanistan withdrawal (Politico). 

In the meantime NATO Is committing itself to train Afghan forces .... NATO commits to training Afghan forces after U.S. withdrawal (Politico). More here .... NATO training mission for Afghan security forces to move forward after US withdrawal (The Hill). 

The problem with this commitment is that they do not even have a base to train these forces .... EXCLUSIVE NATO approaches Qatar to seek training base for Afghan forces after withdrawal (Reuters).

Afghan Special Operators May Be Trained By NATO In Europe

Afghan special force commando unit officers and soldiers attend a graduation ceremony at the military academy in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 31, 2021. Anadolu Agency / Haroon Sabawoon  

Defense One: NATO May Train Afghan Special Operators in Europe 

But experts say training may suffer after Western troops withdraw. 

As the United States withdraws forces from Afghanistan, one big question has been how the U.S. and its NATO allies would continue to train the elite Afghanistan special operations forces that have helped counter the Taliban and other violent groups. 

On Wednesday, the top U.S. commander in Europe said NATO might continue that training mission on European soil. 

“We want to work with Afghanistan from a NATO perspective and we're in the process of looking at out-of-country special forces training in certain locations to bring NATO special forces activities out of, out of Afghanistan into a remote location, probably somewhere in Europe,” Gen. Tod Wolters, commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told an audience at the Atlantic Council. 

That training would be managed by the NATO Office of the Senior Civilian Representative, or OSCR, Wolters said.  

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WNU Editor: NATO also wants to help the Afghan air force .... Help The Afghan Air Force To Blunt Taliban Attacks (Breaking Defense). As to the war itself. The Taliban are gaining territories .... The Taliban Are Getting Stronger In Afghanistan As U.S. And NATO Forces Exit (NPR), and the US withdrawal is at the halfway point .... US Military Says Withdrawal From Afghanistan More Than Half Complete  (VOA).  

Update: From where will the U.S. launch these airstrikes? .... U.S. Weighs Possibility of Airstrikes if Afghan Forces Face Crisis (New York Times). Pakistan has already said no .... Don't Expect Pakistan to Host US Military Bases (The Diplomat).

Report: NATO Allies Were More Than Twice As Likely To Die In Afghanistan Than U.S. Forces

Forbes: Key NATO Allies Were More Than Twice As Likely To Die In Afghanistan Than U.S. Forces, According To New Study 

As U.S. troops finally withdraw from the two-decades-long conflict in Afghanistan, a new study reveals that British and Canadian troops were more than twice as likely to be killed than their American colleagues and contributed proportionally similar amounts of aid, findings that stand in stark contrast to the implied and outright claims of policymakers and military that American allies are not pulling their weight.  

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Update: British troops were twice as likely to be killed in Afghanistan as US forces (The Guardian). 

WNU Editor: The report is here .... The Costs of War to United States Allies Since 9/11 (Jason W. Davidson, Brown University).

European Allies Ask U.S. To Slow Afghan Withdrawal To Avoid A Situation Where They Are The Last Ones Left Alone Behind

Wall Street Journal: European Allies Ask U.S. to Slow Afghan Withdrawal, Officials Say 

Turkey says it may leave job of security at Kabul airport, adding to difficulties 

WASHINGTON—European allies are pushing the U.S. to delay its withdrawal from Afghanistan—which U.S. officials had suggested could be complete by as early as July 4—to give NATO allies more time and support to leave, U.S. officials said. 

In response, U.S. officials said that their departure could be delayed by two weeks or longer to accommodate the allies’ requests. President Biden last month ordered complete pullout by Sept. 11, although military officials have said they could complete the withdrawal by the summer. 

In another complication, Turkey, which for years has secured the airport in Kabul, has told the U.S. and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that its troops may leave as well, the officials said. 

Turkey’s potential departure, after it initially had planned to stay until after the coalition withdrawal, could prompt some Western nations to reconsider plans to keep embassies open in the capital without an international force at Hamid Karzai International Airport, officials said.  

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WNU Editor: It is clear that there is no coordination between the U.S. and its NATO allies in Afghanistan. The Americans are scrambling to get out of Afghanistan ASAP. The Europeans should do the same thing.

U.S. And NATO Forces To Leave Afghanistan Together At The Same Time

FILE PHOTO: British soldiers with NATO-led Resolute Support Mission arrive at the site of an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan March 6, 2020. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani  

Reuters: NATO forces to leave Afghanistan together, U.S. says 

BRUSSELS/BERLIN (Reuters) -Foreign troops under NATO command will withdraw from Afghanistan in coordination with a U.S. pull-out by Sept. 11, Washington’s top diplomat said on Wednesday, after Germany said it would match American plans to leave after two decades of war. 

Around 7,000 non-U.S. forces from mainly NATO countries, also from Australia, New Zealand and Georgia, outnumber the 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but still rely on U.S. air support, planning and leadership for their training mission. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Brussels that it was time for NATO allies to make good on their mantra that allies went into Afghanistan together and would leave together.  

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More News On U.S. And NATO Forces Agreeing To Leave Afghanistan Together At The Same Time  

Germany and UK to follow US out of Afghanistan -- DW 

British troops to leave Afghanistan after 20 years and 454 deaths after Joe Biden announces US forces will quit country by September 11 -- Daily Mail  

Britain to withdraw nearly all its troops from Afghanistan - The Times -- Reuters  

US to coordinate Afghan troop withdrawal with NATO: Blinken -- Al Jazeera

NATO Says The Alliance Has Not Yet Decided If The 10,000 Troops It Has In Afghanistan Will Leave The Country By May (Updated)

 

  CNBC: NATO hasn’t reached decision on whether to leave Afghanistan as deadline looms 

 * NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has not yet decided if the 10,000 troops it has in Afghanistan will leave the country by May. 

 * Last February, the United States brokered a deal with the Taliban that would usher in a permanent cease-fire and see the departure of all foreign forces by May 2021. 

 * There are about 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. 

WASHINGTON – NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that the alliance has not yet decided if the 10,000 troops it has in Afghanistan will leave the country by May, in accordance with a peace deal brokered between the U.S. and the Taliban. 

“Violence has to be reduced and the Taliban has to stop cooperating with international terrorist groups that are planning terrorist attacks in our countries,” Stoltenberg told reporters at the conclusion of a two-day virtual NATO defense ministers meeting. 

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WNU Editor: They are saying officially that they have not decided. But for the entire week NATO has  been signaling to everyone that they are staying. 

More News On NATO Saying The Alliance Has Not Yet Decided If The 10,000 Troops It Has In Afghanistan Will Leave The Country By May 

No decision on any NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, Stoltenberg says -- Reuters 

NATO puts holds on Afghanistan decision, expands in Iraq -- AFP 

Taliban threat in Afghanistan 'will significantly rise,' says German defense minister -- DW

NATO Secretary-General Rejects Early Military Pullout From Afghanistan

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium February 17, 2021. REUTERS - POOL 

France 24: NATO chief rejects early military pullout from Afghanistan 

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the military alliance will only leave Afghanistan when security conditions allow, as a deadline for withdrawing troops set out in a peace deal with the Taliban nears. 

NATO has just under 10,000 troops in the war-ravaged country helping to train and advise the Afghan security forces. 

Most of them are not U.S. forces, but the allies could not continue the NATO operation if American transport, logistics and other support are withdrawn. 

President Joe Biden is reviewing his predecessor’s 2020 deal with the Taliban, which includes a May 1 deadline for a final U.S. troop withdrawal.

In Washington, calls are mounting for the U.S. to delay the final exit or renegotiate the deal to allow the presence of a smaller, intelligence-based American force. 

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WNU Editor: In the end it is going to be the U.S. that will make the decision if NATO stays in Afghanistan or not .... NATO Waits On U.S. To Review Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan (NPR).

Afghanistan's Taliban Warns NATO To Push Ahead With Troop Withdrawal

Members of the Taliban delegation arrive to the signing of a US-Taliban landmark agreement in the Qatari capital Doha on February 29, 2020. PHOTO: AFP/FILE 

VOA: Taliban Warns NATO to Push Ahead With Troop Withdrawal in Afghanistan 

The Taliban on Saturday warned NATO against seeking a "continuation of war", as the alliance weighs a planned withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

Defense ministers from the Washington-backed allies are to meet next week to discuss whether NATO's 10,000-strong mission -- mostly carrying out support roles -- should stay or go, as Taliban violence rages. 

"Our message to the upcoming NATO ministerial meeting is that the continuation of occupation and war is neither in your interest nor in the interest of your and our people," the Taliban said in a statement. 

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 More News On The Taliban Warning NATO To Push Ahead With Troop Withdrawal 

Taliban warn NATO to push ahead with troop withdrawal in Afghanistan -- France 24 

Taliban warn US-led forces against extending ‘Afghanistan’s occupation’ -- Express Tribune 

Germany says troops may stay longer in Afghanistan -- DW 

Biden has no good options on Afghanistan with deadline for troop withdrawal looming -- CNN

NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan To Continue (For Now)

 

Air Force Magazine: Stoltenberg: NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan to Continue, for Now 

NATO leaders will discuss the way ahead in Afghanistan during this week’s defense ministerial meeting, but a final decision on whether to stay or leave the country is not expected until February, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Nov. 30. 

Stoltenberg, speaking in advance of this week’s defense ministerial meetings in Brussels, acknowledged the United States’ decision to withdraw much of its forces, but said the alliance must remain coordinated and act in an “orderly way.” Stoltenberg said the Taliban is not holding up its end of the agreement announced in February, which calls for all NATO troops to leave by May 1. 

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WNU Editor: NATO is waiting to see what the incoming Biden administration will be doing. 

 More News On NATO's Future In Afghanistan 

NATO mulls its future in Afghanistan as US draws down troops -- Military Times/AP 

U.S. troop drawdown in Afghanistan pushes NATO to follow -- Washington Times 

NATO preps for a Biden summit and decisions on Afghanistan in early 2021 -- Stars and Stripes 

NATO Ministers Discuss Reforms, Russia, Afghanistan At Virtual Meeting -- RFE

NATO Officials Say They Were Briefed On Russian Bounties On U.S. Soldiers In Afghanistan

Business Insider: NATO officials say they were briefed on Russian bounties on US soldiers in Afghanistan — even though Trump claims he wasn't

* The New York Times reported on Friday that US intelligence found that Russian military operatives offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants in exchange for US casualties in Afghanistan.
* The Times reported that US intelligence had briefed President Donald Trump on it. However, Trump said over the weekend he was not, saying US intelligence "did not find this info credible."
* Three NATO officials told Insider they had been briefed on the matter by US intelligence, with two saying they were told about a week ago.

Three NATO officials say they had been briefed on intelligence that Russian operatives were secretly offering cash bounties to Taliban-linked militants for US casualties in Afghanistan — as President Donald Trump claimed he was not, and dismissed news reports on the intelligence as a "possibly another fabricated Russia Hoax."

The revelation that US intelligence had briefed the White House on the Taliban bounties had been a closely-held secret for several months, until US officials began briefing UK and other European allies last week.

The intelligence was first reported Friday in The New York Times and has since been widely confirmed.

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WNU Editor: Business Insider says that the intelligence has been confirmed. Confirmed by whom? According to BI their confirmation comes from three anonymous NATO sources?!?!?! I have been following this story very closely and the only ones who are confirming this story are other news outlets who are just repeating the original story from the New York Times. As for NATO being briefed .... no one is confirming that (as of this posting).

Update: Maybe the reason why President Trump is doing nothing is because US intelligence believes it did not happen .... Why did Trump do nothing about Russia's bounties on US troops? (David Plotz, Anthony L. Fisher and Henry Blodget, Business Insider).

More Money From NATO For Afghanistan

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) shakes hands with Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani next to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (R) and Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah at the NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland July 9, 2016. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

Reuters: Despite fatigue, NATO commits to fund Afghan forces to 2020

NATO allies agreed on Saturday to help fund Afghan security forces to the tune of around $1 billion annually over the next three years, despite public fatigue in Western countries about their involvement in the long-running conflict.

The allies, attending a two-day summit in the Polish capital Warsaw, also pressed Afghan leaders to do more to combat corruption, carry out electoral reforms and protect human rights, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

NATO has had forces in Afghanistan since 2003 and has invested tens of billions of dollars in trying to stabilize the country.

A worsening security situation and a resurgent Taliban have forced the allies to reverse plans to sharply reduce their troops levels, though there is little Western appetite for a much prolonged involvement in Afghanistan.

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More News On NATO Agreeing To Commit More Money And Resources To Afghanistan

NATO makes fresh funding, troop pledge for Afghanistan -- AFP
NATO boosts support for countries battling Islamic extremism -- AP
NATO Allies Agree To Spend $1 Billion On Afghan Security Forces Through 2020 -- IBTimes
NATO extends mission in Afghanistan -- DW
NATO gives $1bn to boost US security effort in Afghanistan -- RT
NATO to Remain in Afghanistan After 2016, Troops Size to Be Decided Soon -- Sputnik
FACT SHEET: NATO’s Enduring Commitment to Afghanistan -- White House

U.S. And Allies To Raise $15 Billion To Support The Afghan Army Until 2020

U.S. Army soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment take up positions while Afghan soldiers search motorists, during a joint U.S.-Afghan military patrol in a village in Arghandab Valley in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan October 22, 2012. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

Khaama Press: US and Allies expected to raise $15 billion for Afghan forces in NATO summit

The United States and its allies are expected to raise $15 billion for the Afghan National Defense and Security (ANDSF) in the NATO summit scheduled for next month in Warsaw, it has been reported.

The funds will be raised with an aim to fund ANDSF through 2020 as they face a resurgent Taliban following the full transfer of security responsibilities by the NATO-led coalition forces at the start of last year.

The majority of the funds would be arranged by the United States that would include about $10 billion.

Efforts to raise billions of dollars more for the Afghan forces comes amid concerns regarding the massive waste of the funds in the past 15 years.

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Update #1: U.S. Will Seek Billions More to Support Afghan Military Efforts (Washington Post).
Update #2: US To Give Billions More To Afghanistan With No Strings Attached (Daily Caller)

WNU Editor: Even though billions have been wasted because of corruption and waste .... there will be no new U.S. or NATO demands on the Afghan government to be held more accountable for this money. In short .... the Afghans are going to be given a blank check, with business as usual to be continued. Sighhh .... what a waste. And in this mess the top U.S. commander has submitted his 3-month report on the war .... US commander in Afghanistan submits his 3-month take on war (AP) .... a report that will not be released to the public.

NATO To Maintain Military Presence In Afghanistan After 2017

USA Today: NATO plans for Afghan war through 2020

BRUSSELS — The war in Afghanistan — America’s longest conflict — will grind on for at least another four years as NATO allies are prepared to commit $5 billion through 2020 to train, equip and pay Afghan security forces, according to a senior NATO diplomat.

Last week, President Obama granted U.S. troops in Afghanistan expanded authority to attack Taliban insurgents. The new rules allow U.S. forces to advise regular Afghan combat units and to call in airstrikes. There are about 9,800 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and Obama has pledged to reduce their number to 5,500 by year’s end.

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More News On NATO Plans To Maintain A Military Presence In Afghanistan After 2017

NATO to Keep Bases in Afghanistan Open -- WSJ
Diplomat: Key NATO bases in Afghanistan to remain open despite troop reductions -- Washington Post
NATO to continue Afghan mission next year -- Stars and Stripes
NATO to maintain forces in Afghanistan after 2017 -- The Hill
NATO to keep broad presence in Afghanistan: Stoltenberg -- Reuters
NATO to Keep Presence in Afghanistan, Continue Support for National Forces -- Sputnik
NATO allies to agree to fund Afghan forces until 2020 -- Reuters

NATO Wants The Afghan Forces To Go On The Offensive

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers patrol around their base in Logar province, Afghanistan February 16, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Reuters: NATO wants Afghan forces to do less defending, more attacking

NATO advisers want Afghan soldiers to spend less time manning checkpoints and more taking the fight to Taliban militants, a key tactical shift the coalition hopes will enable local forces to quell a rising insurgency.

With NATO's combat mission officially over, and only a few thousand foreign troops left, the onus has fallen on the Afghan army and police to impose stability, and the military alliance is looking for ways to use those resources more effectively.

Reducing reliance on thousands of poorly defended checkpoints that dot towns and roads across the country is a priority for NATO heading into summer, when fighting is expected to intensify as the Taliban renews its push to seize back power.

"They've got way too many soldiers on checkpoints," said Brigadier-General Wilson Shoffner, spokesman for the NATO-led training mission known as Resolute Support.

"There's an old military saying that if you defend everywhere you defend nowhere, and it's very much true for them (Afghan security forces)."

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WNU Editor: Easier said than done.

NATO Members Voice Frustration On The Afghan Mission

NATO soldiers stand near a damaged NATO military vehicle at the site of a suicide car bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan, October 11, 2015. Reuters/Omar Sobhani

Reuters: NATO ponders future of Afghan mission as fatigue, frustration mount

NATO partners are considering ways of beefing up their training and assistance mission in Afghanistan as concern grows over the ability of local forces to fight an escalating insurgency by Taliban militants, according to officials in Brussels and Kabul.

The Taliban's success in seizing the northern city of Kunduz in late September and holding it for several days caused shock among Afghanistan's international partners, who have invested billions of dollars trying to create a security force capable of standing on its own.

"The situation is sobering, it is not as stable as we hoped it would be," said General Hans-Lothar Domroese, a veteran of Afghanistan who is Germany's second-most senior general in the NATO alliance.

WNU Editor: A growing realization that everything is falling apart.

Three NATO Nations Will Maintain Their Military Presence In Afghanistan

NATO soldiers stand near a damaged NATO military vehicle at the site of a suicide car bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/OMAR SOBHANI

Reuters: Exclusive: NATO nations to keep presence in Afghanistan, officials say

Germany, Turkey and Italy are set to keep their deployments in Afghanistan at current levels, senior NATO officials said on Monday after the U.S. government decided to prolong its 14-year-old military presence there.

The Taliban's brief takeover of a provincial capital has raised concern about the strength of Afghan state forces and both the United States and its NATO allies now say events, rather than timetables, must dictate gradual troop reductions.

Gen. Philip Breedlove, NATO's top commander in Europe, said he had assurances that NATO countries will continue alongside the nearly 10,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. While discussions of exact numbers are still continuing, the biggest national deployments are not in doubt, he said.

WNU Editor: These forces are too low in numbers to make a difference.

NATO Chief Vows Continued Support For Afghanistan

NATO Chief Vows Continued Support For Afghan Forces -- Radio Free Europe

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has vowed during a visit to Kabul that the alliance will continue to support Afghanistan after foreign combat troops withdraw by the end of the year.

Stoltenberg told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan on November 6 that NATO will continue to work closely with Afghanistan after the draw down, which will leave some 12,000 foreign troops in the country.

He said the purpose of the NATO mission in Afghanistan after 2015 is "to train, advise, and assist Afghan security forces."

Stoltenberg, on his first visit to Afghanistan since becoming NATO chief on October 1, said the change in mission reflects how well Afghanistan has developed its own strong, national forces.

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More News On NATO Chief Vowing Continued Support For Afghanistan

NATO Leader in Afghanistan Vows Continued Support -- ABC News/AP
NATO chief vows no loss of gains in Afghanistan -- Reuters
NATO Chief Vows Afghan Support as Combat Mission Ends -- Defense News/AFP
NATO Chief to Afghans on Surprise Visit: 'You Will Not Stand Alone' -- VOA
NATO Chief Pledges Continued Support to Afghanistan -- RIA Novosti
NATO chief hails ‘new chapter’ in Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes
NATO chief Stoltenberg makes first trip to Afghanistan -- Deutsche Welle

NATO Is Following The U.S. Lead In Preparing For A Full Afghanistan Exit

NATO Prepares Full Afghanistan Exit Plan -- Al Jazeera

Alliance says it will have to withdraw its 19,000 troops by December if Afghans fail to agree a security pact with US.

NATO's secretary general has echoed a US announcement that it is planning to withdraw all of its troops from Afghanistan if a security deal cannot be agreed with the Afghan government.

The blunt statement from Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Wednesday ratchets up pressure on the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, to strike a deal with the US.

On Tuesday, The US president, Barack Obama, threatened to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year if a pact wasn't signed.

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More News On NATO Preparing A Full Afghanistan Exit Plan

NATO chief backs Obama's threat to Karzai, says alliance will pull out of Afghanistan without BSA -- CBS/AP
NATO must plan for all Afghan options, including pullout -- Global Post/AFP
Defense ministers say NATO is prepared to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan -- Washington Post
NATO head: No Afghan deal means no troops past ‘14 -- Washington Post/AP
NATO puts pressure on Afghanistan to sign troop agreement -- L.A. Times
NATO Warns Afghanistan Over Security Agreement -- Wall Street Journal
NATO role in Afghanistan may be limited -- UPI
NATO plans for early Afghan exit -- Stars and Stripes

NATO Begins Talks With Afghanistan On A Post-2014 Mission Agreement

Afghan key leaders of the 6th Special Operations Kandak and their U.S. coalition mentors sit in on a mission readiness exercise in Kabul province, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Connor Mendez

NATO Starts Own Talks With Afghanistan on Post-2014 Mission Pact -- New York Times/Reuters

BRUSSELS — NATO and Afghan officials started work on Saturday on drawing up a framework for the alliance to stay on after 2014 despite the fact that a separate pact with the United States, which contributes the bulk of the forces, has still not been signed.

President Hamid Karzai last month defied a consensus in Afghanistan's grand assembly in favour of the security agreement with the United States, and said he would not sign unless certain conditions were met, and even then, not until after April elections.

But with the clock ticking on the current 49-nation mission ending before 2015, NATO and U.S. officials have said they must have agreements in place very soon to govern what happens afterward or risk being forced to withdraw all of the 84,000 soldiers, 60,000 of whom are American.

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More News On NATO Begining Talks With Afghanistan On A Post-2014 Mission Agreement

NATO opens negotiations to allow troops to stay in Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes
NATO opens post-2014 talks with Afghanistan -- Global Post/AFP
NATO Starts Talks With Afghanistan on Post-2014 Troops -- Bloomberg
NATO open talks with Afghanistan on post-2014 military presence -- Khaama Press
NATO opens talks with Afghanistan -- SKY News