Category Archives: NATO

Provided by IBT US Obama US combat role Afghanistan

Thirteen years after invading Afghanistan, U.S. and NATO forces have closed their combat headquarters Monday amid fresh attacks in the country from a resurgent Taliban. The first of two ceremonies marked the final month of formal NATO and U.S. combat missions in the country, which will officially cease on Dec. 31.

However, at the request of the Afghan government, U.S. troops will continue to target al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters into 2015 as a force of 13,000 coalition troops remains past the turn of the year. That's less than 10 percent of the 140,000 soldiers at the peak of involvement in 2011.

War operations typically slow down greatly or even cease altogether during the harsh Afghan winters, but the campaign of bombing by the Taliban rather than military attacks on enemy soldiers may keep going this winter. "I don't think the war will slow or stop during the winter, as attacks on cities are not contingent on the weather," Afghan political analyst Wahid Muzhdah said, as quoted by the Associated Press. "I believe attacks in the cities will increase -- they attract media attention."

When U.S. and NATO forces first began combat operations in Afghanistan in October 2001 in the wake of the September 11 attacks in the U.S., the sitting Taliban government and military was quickly beaten back, and U.S.-led coalition forces were able to take over control over much of the country. But as the Iraq war began one and half years later, attention pivoted away from Afghanistan, allowing a militant insurgency operating on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to grow. That Taliban insurgency is now threatening to beat back the Western troops and the Afghan forces they trained, which risksdestabilizingmuch of what was achieved in the previous 13 years.

To that end, the 10,800 U.S. troops plus NATO allies that will remain in Afghanistan beyond the turn of the year have been authorized to launch attacks against the Taliban and al-Qaeda using ground forces and air support as necessary. New Afghan president Ashraf Ghani has also lifted a ban allowing the U.S. to conduct night raids, something that was not allowed under the previous presidency.

By the end of 2015, U.S. troop presence will be cut in half to 5,500 before hitting near zero by Christmas 2016.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, told the AP that the group would continue to fight until Afghanistan was clear of all foreign troops.

"The Americans want to extend their mission in Afghanistan, the motive being to keep the war going for as long as possible," he said. "And for as long as they do, the Taliban will continue their fight against the foreign and (Afghan) government forces."

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US, NATO Shut Down Afghan Combat HQ After 13 Years

NATO Secretary General - North Atlantic Council, Foreign Ministers Meeting, 2 DEC 2014
Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Foreign Ministers session, 2 December 2014.

By: NATO

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NATO Secretary General - North Atlantic Council, Foreign Ministers Meeting, 2 DEC 2014 - Video

Ukraine-Krise: Frank-Walter Steinmeier zum NATO-Auenministerrat am 02.12.2014
NATO-Auenministerrat mit Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD, Bundesauenminister) zur Lage in Russland.

By: phoenix

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Ukraine-Krise: Frank-Walter Steinmeier zum NATO-Auenministerrat am 02.12.2014 - Video

Russian jet nearly hits Nato jet over Norway
Russian MiG-31 Norway F -16 near miss collide In the airforce clip supplied by Norway #39;s military, the Norwegian pilot shouts "What the hell!" before veering ...

By: Qronos16

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Russian jet nearly hits Nato jet over Norway - Video

NATO-Kremlin Hotline: Germany wants direct communications to avoid accidental escalation
Germany has called on NATO to set up an early warning system with Russia to prevent the risk of accidental military escalation. Since NATO suspended cooperation with Russia in the wake of...

By: UKRAINE TODAY

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NATO-Kremlin Hotline: Germany wants direct communications to avoid accidental escalation - Video

Sukhoi Su-34 Russian fighter-bomber ( NATO reporting name: Fullback)
Sukhoi Su-34 Russian fighter-bomber (export designation: Su-32, NATO reporting name: Fullback) is a Russian twin-seat fighter-bomber. It is intended to replace the Sukhoi Su-24. More videos:https:/...

By: MySTIC

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Sukhoi Su-34 Russian fighter-bomber ( NATO reporting name: Fullback) - Video

NATO-Propaganda: Videoflschung des syrischen Kinder-Helden
NATO-Propaganda: Videoflschung des syrischen Kinder-Helden FOLLOW ME: http://twitter.com/ThisIsBoomer.

By: Boomer WorldNews

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NATO-Propaganda: Videoflschung des syrischen Kinder-Helden - Video

NATO #39;Spearhead #39; force of 4,000 troops 01/12/2014
At least three Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 14 injured in the past 24 hours as fighting intensifies for control of Donetsk airport, a military spo...

By: i24News

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NATO 'Spearhead' force of 4,000 troops 01/12/2014 - Video

NATO Secretary General - Press Conference, Foreign Ministers Meeting, 2 DEC 2014 - Part 1/2
Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Foreign Ministers session, 2 December 2014.

By: NATO

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NATO Secretary General - Press Conference, Foreign Ministers Meeting, 2 DEC 2014 - Part 1/2 - Video

Russian Jet Fighter Nearly Collide NATO F-16 Over Norway
Russian Fighter Jets are becoming very dangerous to civilian planes as they continue to break international norms http://www.paulbegleyprophecy.com also http...

By: Paul Begley

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Russian Jet Fighter Nearly Collide NATO F-16 Over Norway - Video