The first session in the NATO workshop series looked in detail at the current state of NATO operations in Afghanistan and the way forwards as seen from a number of different perspectives. While we are now moving beyond the question of how many troops NATO has or should have in Afghanistan, it is critical that some reassessment is made of what NATO is doing in Afghanistan and the impact of NATO operations. Amongst allies different perceptions of what NATO's role should be in Afghanistan have emerged as evidenced by the discussions about a perceived lack of solidarity on part of some of the contributing nations. At the same time, a complex environment such as Afghanistan makes it difficult to assess the relative success of alliance efforts and how they link up with the work of other actors in the international community. In turn, these fundamental questions lie at the heart of where NATO is going as a provider of international security and stability.
On Thursday 24 May 2007 the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) co-hosted a panel discussion on "NATO and Afghanistan: reconciling roles" at the Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) from 6-7.30pm.
As spring descends upon us and NATO troops face another intense fighting season in Afghanistan, it is critical that some assessment is made of what the impact of NATO operations is. Amongst allies different perceptions have emerged and been highlighted by discussions about the perceived lack of solidarity on the part of some nations. At the same time, a complex environment such as Afghanistan makes it difficult to assess the relative success of alliance efforts and how they link up with the work of other actors in the international community. In turn, these fundamental questions lie at the heart of where NATO is going as a provider of international security and stability.
In order to address these issues, the IISS and YPFP, with the generous support of the NATO Public Diplomacy Division, have come together to host a panel discussion looking at how NATO can reconcile the many aspects of its current role in Afghanistan. Moderated by Paul Adams, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for BBC News 24, the panel included:
James Appathurai, NATO spokesman
Hamida Ghafour, journalist and author of The Sleeping Buddha: The story of Afghanistan through the eyes of one family
Terrence Jagger, former political advisor to General David Richard when he was ISAF Commander
Sir Hilary Synnott, IISS Senior Consulting Fellow and former Coalition Provisional Authority Regional Coordinator for Southern Iraq and British High Commissioner in Pakistan
The panel session was preceded by a drinks and canapés reception at 6pm on the Japanese roof garden at the Brunei Gallery, and the off-the-record session started at 6.30pm and concluded at 7.30pm.
Please RSVP to Raffaello Pantucci at
pantucci@iiss.org promptly with your name and affiliation to secure a place.
