Tactical Nuclear Weapons and NATO.pdf - Program on Strategic ...

contribute approximately 37,000 of the 130,000 troops
(including some 90,000 Americans) in the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF). European,
Canadian, <strong>and</strong> American leaders broadly agree that,
if Afghanistan were to become a failed state, terrorist
networks would reestablish themselves there, posing
an increased threat to European <strong>and</strong> American interests.
But for some Allies, a desire to demonstrate solidarity
with the United States (to ensure, among other
things, that American commitments to European security
remain strong) has motivated their participation
in ISAF as much, if not more, than any perceived
threat emanating from Afghanistan itself. Not surprisingly,
public support for the ISAF mission is generally
lower <strong>and</strong> eroding faster in Europe than in the United
States, where memories of September 11, 2001 (9/11),
remain sharp. Moreover, the precarious situation in
Pakistan could heighten friction among the Allies, especially
if some conclude that U.S. pressure against
extremist sanctuaries is hindering more than helping
chances for an orderly withdrawal from Afghanistan
with or without a regional settlement.
Differing threat perceptions surrounded <strong>NATO</strong>’s
role in Libya, as well. Germany’s abstention on United
Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011),
which authorized member states to take “all necessary
measures” to protect Libyan civilians, roiled its relations
with many Allies—especially the United States,
France, <strong>and</strong> the United Kingdom (UK). 2 While Germany
subsequently joined the <strong>NATO</strong> consensus to launch
military operations pursuant to Resolution 1973, the
Merkel government’s decision to withdraw German
crews from <strong>NATO</strong>’s Airborne Warning <strong>and</strong> Control
System aircraft participating in Operation UNIFIED
PROTECTOR signaled Berlin’s desire to distance it-
361