As We Said, The Yanks Should Fall In Line
by Transmontanus, 31 August 2007
Viz. the comments here, there’s this:
“The military chain of command must also be totally unified. Since last November, most operations have come under NATO command. However, the development of effective Afghan National Army and police units are under a separate U.S. command structure, as are special operations. This situation is militarily untenable and must be fixed.”
From this.
Friday 31 August 2007 at 6:39
Probably correct, but if its a NATO command it has to be a NATO command that prioritizes the Canadian, British and American forces that are actually doing the fighting, not everyone that has an MP company by Kabul airport.
This isn’t an anglosphere delusional rant–I wouldn’t be surprised if there was or might be a Dutch, Danish or Polish contingent that was doing unsung and noble work, and if so apologies to them. But as as long as the Bundeswehr and French contingents aren’t allowed to use their (excellent, from everything I have heard) military skills on the ground in the same way the other nations are by their national government making it a pure NATO force seems imperfect as well.
But agreed that the US go it alone approach is probably hurting the campaign.
Friday 31 August 2007 at 8:22
Girondistnyc:
NATO leads the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, which is made up of contributions from the armed forces of 26 NATO and 11 non-NATO countries. Lots of men and women “doing unsung and noble work” there. The Poles are favourites of mine. Among the unsung. There are also Macedonians and Azerbaijanis and Turks and Albanians.
Canadians and Brits and Yanks and Dutch are doing most of the work at the pointy end at the moment. Because we’re not Swiss, nor Icelanders, nor Croats. Which is to say because we can, is all.
But all heroes, in my book.
The U.S. has one foot in NATO and one foot outside, and it’s the one outside that tends to do the damage, is the point.
Cheers,
t
Friday 31 August 2007 at 8:56
TG– I don’t disagree and as I hoped to indicate with my caveat I certainly didn’t want to disrespect any nation’s soldiers (there is rather too much of that about). Thanks for naming some of the unsung.
Far be it from me to say that getting stuck in the wilds around Kabul is enjoyable or “safe” even if doesn’t mean being in the Pashtun areas and dealing with what the Canadians and Brits do.
But regardless of whether they are constrained by politics (France, Turkey), size and capabilities (Macedonia and Albanians) or history (Germany) there are some nations that cannot or will not match the contribution of those on the pointy end. Doesn’t mean those who are there aren’t heroes. But does mean that their governments maybe carry less weight for now.
And yeah, the US needs to cooperate more and not blindly ignore its allies (big or small, pointy end or not). Especially in Afghanistan, where a pretty hard to argue with cause is in danger of being lost through lack of attention and will.
P.S. Poland is not dead yet…but why are you dissing the Croats?
Friday 31 August 2007 at 15:48
Diss the Croats? Wouldn’t think of it. Be happy to diss most European governments on this one, though. Lazy good for nothings.