Report on Role of Nato in Afghanistan

Running head: ROLE OF NATO IN AFGHANISTAN
ROLE OF NATO IN AFGHANISTAN
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Author Note

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ROLE OF NATO IN AFGHANISTAN
Introduction
The war-torn global scenario after the Second World War gave rise to the need for clear
and strong inter-state agreements. These agreements or treaties would dictate terms that ensure
peaceful cohabitation for states as well military alliances that would provide for military aid
when the need for it came about. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) signed in
1949 is one such military alliance1. NATO was agreed upon between the United States, Canada
and various Western European nations that felt threatened by the growing power of the Soviet
Union. Russia’s refusal to be a part of the Marshall plan and its efforts to ensure that the
surrounding nations refrain from being a part of it were clear evidence of the growing hostility
between both sides. The period of the cold war ushered in with it uncertainty and the constant
threat of a third global conflict that would have devastating effects on the economy and
infrastructure of all nations. Peacetime military treaties like NATO further consolidated the
tensions between the two prevailing power blocs of the time. The unstable and often life-
threatening living conditions in Afghanistan warranted NATO’s intervention to ensure peace and
reconstruction of the social construct.
Overview of ISAF operations
History of the ISAF
The Taliban insurgency lead to a period of instability characterized by warlords and
terrorist factions positioned at the apex of the administration. This meant that radical groups who
invariably enforced an authoritarian rule throughout Afghanistan held all rights of sovereignty.
1 Rist, Gilbert & Camiller, Patrick 2014 History of Development, The Zed

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ROLE OF NATO IN AFGHANISTAN
These conditions made it mandatory for the United Nations to intervene as an external agent but
it was also because the rise of these terrorist factions was a threat to peace in western nations as
well. Resultantly, as prescribed by the Bonn Agreement, the International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF) was established in 2001 by virtue of Resolution 1386 of the United Nations
Security Council2. This was recommended to be led by NATO and aimed at providing training
and assistance to Afghanistan’s national security forces in order to re-establish law and order in
Afghanistan. Their preliminary mission was to establish peace and control over Kabul and free it
from its warlord leaders. However, through the effectiveness displayed in their efficient
acquisition of Kabul the ISAF’s mandate was extended to include all of Afghanistan in 20033.
ISAF continues to provide training and assistance to Afghanistan’s armed forces and undertakes
reconstruction and developmental activities to help rebuild the infrastructure.
Security Assistance by the ISAF
The ISAF was engaged to secure stability and conformity in Kabul. Since the extension
of their mission to all of Afghanistan they have been involved in aiding various security wings in
order bring about a stable political condition. Their primarily provide assistance to the military
wings of Afghanistan being Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and Afghan National
Army (ANA)4. The ANSF is instrumental in security missions that involve combating the
Authoritarian threats posed by terrorist factions functioning within the area. These are aided by
the ISAF and are at present majorly lead by the ANSF themselves. Apart from direct aid during
2 Beath, Andrew; Christia, Fotini & Enikolopov, Ruben 2017 'Direct democracy and resource allocation:
Experimental evidence from Afghanistan' Journal of Development Economics 124: 199-213
3 LYALL, JASON; BLAIR, GRAEME & IMAI, KOSUKE 2013 'Explaining Support for Combatants during
Wartime: A Survey Experiment in Afghanistan' American Political Science Review 107/04: 679-705
4 Zyla, Benjamin 2013 'Explaining Canada’s practices of burden-sharing in the International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF) through its norm of “external responsibility”' International Journal: Canada's Journal of Global
Policy Analysis 68/2: 289-304

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ROLE OF NATO IN AFGHANISTAN
these missions the ISAF through the United States provide training for the ANSF troops as well
as aid in the form of supplies and equipment. Beyond the aid provided to the ANSF the ISAF
provides training and equipment to help bring the ANA to an operational position. Once
operational the ANA would be instrumental in maintaining political stability once an area has
been secured. These aid activities to make the ANA operational are undertaken through the
Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan (CSTC-A). In order to further assist
already trained troops in the ANA, the ISAF employs Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams
(OMLTs) who provide assistance during missions undertaken by the ANA. These OMTLs
mainly function in an advisory capacity but are essential for the success of missions undertaken
by the ANA.
Apart from the military assistance provided by the ISAF it additionally provided training
and aid to the Afghan National Police in collaboration with the European Union Police Mission
(EUPOL) in Afghanistan. An efficient and responsive police force would absolutely be required
to maintain law and order in areas where a nascent administration has been set up. The police
would be engaged in ensuring conformity among the civilian sections of the populous. ISAFs
main objectives in aiding the police force are as follows5:
 The civilian sections of society in a war zone usually have an easy access to arms and
ammunition. Disarming of these illegally held arms is essential to ensure continuing
peace and is one of ISAF’s main objectives.
 Post-operation assistance in the form of shelter, food and medical supplies and such
ancillary financial assistance are crucial for a nascent administration. ISAF through the
5 Wimpelmann, Torunn 2013 'Nexuses of knowledge and power in Afghanistan: the rise and fall of the informal
justice assemblage' Central Asian Survey 32/3: 406-422