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Open Think Tank Articles

September 15, 2008 | NATO and the Forgotten War

Djörn Eversteijn: Afghanistan is the litmus test for the relevance of history’s most successful military alliance in the 21st century. Despite official statements that emphasize the importance of the alliance’s mission in Afghanistan, both member states’ long-term commitment and substantial contributions to the mission remain largely absent. Member states’ unwillingness not only endangers the future of Afghanistan, but, perhaps even more importantly, also puts the future of the transatlantic alliance at risk.

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August 26, 2008 | NATO is Trapped in Afghanistan

Marek Swierczynski: The Georgian war diverted the world’s attention from Afghanistan. But events on the ground, implications of the conflict in the Caucasus and political turmoil in neighboring Pakistan make imminent the perspective of NATO snared in a war that cannot be won. A new strategy is urgently needed.

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August 26, 2008 | Spanish Engagement in Afghanistan: An Undefined Mission

Eva Diez: The Spanish government asserts its soldiers are only involved in humanitarian operations. But in Afghanistan their main mission is to enable the US to realize its own strategic plans. Now is the right time for Spain to define and press for its own interests.

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May 8, 2008 | The Right NATO for the Right Afghanistan

Péter Marton: Afghanistan needs an external security guarantee for the long term. NATO should provide that guarantee against clashing external influence-seeking endeavours, but it can only do so it if it sheds its geopolitical identity for the Afghan mission. That is how a neutral strategic identity could be secured for Afghanistan.

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November 12, 2007 | Finishing the Job in Afghanistan

Hans Binnendijk: The consequences of failure in Afghanistan would be severe. I offer three points to help European governments make the case for continued participation in the NATO ISAF mission.

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October 9, 2007 | Afghanistan Mission: A Hard Sell in Germany

Memo 3: Members of the Atlantic Community question German participation in OEF, support ISAF and want increased emphasis on social issues in Afghanistan. In this Executive Summary, Annette Poelking of the Atlantic Initiative has more on members’ ideas for Afghanistan and an update on the ongoing debate.

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October 2, 2007 | Divide And Conquer Through Negotiations

Niklas Keller: of the Atlantic Initiative recommends transparent negotiations with the Taliban and local pro-Taliban groups, in order to help curb insurgent violence in Afghanistan.

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July 23, 2007 | Germany Belongs in Afghanistan

GM Roper: If Germany expects US help in the future, it must stay the course in Afghanistan now. The Bundeswehr should carry its share of the coalition burden without complaint as part of OEF.

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July 20, 2007 | Germany Should Reconsider Position in Afghanistan

Niels Annen: I question the sustainability of Operation Enduring Freedom. And I see deteriorating coordination between ISAF and OEF and asks whether it is time to choose between the two.

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Global Must Read Articles

October 8, 2008 | Losing Ground in Afghanistan

Seven years of war, occupation and reconstruction efforts have not improved the situation in Afghanistan. ++ A lack of security, stability and economic development dominates the political agenda. ++ To succeed in Afghanistan the conception of the ISAF as a reconstruction and OEF as a war mission has to end. ++ Financial resources have to be reorganized; too much is wasted due to mismanagement. ++

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September 17, 2008 | Victory Possible in Afghanistan

Military victory in Afghanistan is achievable, but are we “willing to pay the high cost?” ++ Chura Valley in Uruzgan province is secure thanks to a Dutch reconstruction team, while in a nearby valley snipers reign. ++ This is a microcosm of Afghanistan. ++ ISAF is facing a new, resilient Taliban, drawn from diverse sources. ++ A military surge is needed to quell restive regions,

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September 16, 2008 | US Strategy in Pakistan Will do More Harm Than Good

If the US goes ahead with its plan to take the war on terror into Pakistan, Pakistani army will loose its credibility and may end up caught up between American troops and al-Quaeda.++ Weakening Pakistani army would backfire on the campaign against terror and make further attacks inside America much more probable. ++ Only the government in Islamabad has a full understanding of the situation on the

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June 2, 2008 | German Role in Afghanistan Overstated

Senior Afghan official, Mohammad Z. Wahdats is skeptical that there would be less stability in Afghanistan’s north without the Germans. ++ “For the issue of security, we don’t need them any more. We solve all our problems by ourselves.” ++ Wahdats also calls the German training of the Afghan National Police a failure ++ Germans overstate their engagement and effectiveness in the north and their

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April 4, 2008 | Division Hampers Progress in Afghanistan

Troops in Afghanistan amount to a mere 10% of the contingent needed. ++ Quarrelling over NATO policy issues is preventing gathering the necessary means to effectively tackle terrorism and the Taliban. ++ While French, German and Greek troops are comfortably in the North “where the main threat they face is boredom,” their politicians are willing to take charge, but not to shoulder the war’s

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Comments

April 29, 2008 | To Timo and Benjamin: Chances are NATO will...

October 9, 2007 | Having read all the posts involved and the...

July 30, 2007 | Sadly Robert and Oliver both miss the point...

June 6, 2007 | First, I think it is important to note that...

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