Case Four: NATO and Afghanistan - Coalition Warfighting and Stability Operations in a New Century

On September 11, 2001, NATO demonstrated its ultimate purpose and unity in its first enactment of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty (requiring a collective military response to an armed attack on any member of the alliance) in the wake of that day’s terrorist attacks on the US. However, unity was not automatically transfered across military theaters of operations. Bush Administration officials expressed frustration with NATO allies of “old Europe” that were unwilling to support war in Iraq in 2003. On the other hand, they welcomed support from the “new Europe,” comprised of those eastern European states who joined NATO or became members of the Partnership for Peace in the aftermath of Soviet downfall. These states took part in the “Coalition of the Willing” in Iraq to demonstrate their loyalty and eligibility to an Alliance that promised them security and support against Russia. Notwithstanding its apparent success in securing Cold War “victory”, in Afghanistan today NATO is facing its greatest challenge to Alliance relevance.