For the hot topic at NATO will be Afghanistan. The Afghan war has the capacity to unite NATO; its success is viewed as crucial to the alliance’s new role. The counter-insurgency proposed by the US administration is as yet the only concrete plan of action. The NATO force — ISAF — has become somewhat of a farce for those on the ground in Afghanistan; rather than being the International Security Assistance Force, it now is the “I Saw Americans Fight” force. This approach needs to change.

ISAF needs to reinvent itself at the conference. Troop increases are mere speculation, but existing troops need new direction. Non-combat troops numbering in the thousands need a defined mandate, which they currently lack. State-building is vital for Obama’s Af-Pak policy to work; contributing member countries will have to recognise and aid this process. Many countries have non-combat rules, this should not weaken the alliance; it needs to use the resources it has towards productive means.

NATO’s 50th anniversary was overshadowed by the war in Kosovo; this year it is Afghanistan. NATO in its heyday was successful at preventing conflict in the bipolar world — thereby achieving its aim. The threats it faces now are unconventional, and as with all durables, it will need an ability to evolve if it is to succeed in overcoming the challenges ahead.

alia.allana@expressindia.com