NATO's partners in Afghanistan: impact and purpose

Abstract

Since 2003, NATO’s ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) mission in Afghanistan has relied on troop contributions, not only from NATO members but also from EAPC/PfP partners and so-called global partners—non-European states that have not been formally incorporated into NATO’s formal partnership structures. The experience of working with these non-European allies, in particular, has been transformative as it has highlighted the need for cooperative relationships that extend beyond Europe if NATO is to function effectively in a world of increasingly global security challenges. This article explores the role of NATO partners in Afghanistan and their potential long term impact on NATO’s future.