Test for NATO: US Plans Mini-Force in Post-2014 Afghanistan

[sysop]

Officially, the West plans to continue helping Afghanistan beyond the conclusion of the NATO mission at the end of 2014. But the US is planning a massive withdrawal, leaving behind a skeletal force of only 10,000 troops. Washington's allies will have to fill the gaps that result.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...-a-884836.html

[Inglenda2]

NATO was founded as a defence organisation, but has repeatedly been misused by the USA as a form of foreign legion in wars of aggression. The so-called help which the West plans to give, is little more than a cover-up for interference in the internal affairs of a country, which was never a danger to member states of the NATO. The massive withdrawal of US troops is therefore no reason for Washington's allies to fill the resulting gap. The people of Afghanistan did not ask us to go there and are more than capable of governing themselves, even if this means a rejection of the ideas which America and Europe have tried to force on them.
Where a defence against extreme Islamic terrorism is really needed, is within Europe itself. With the failure of the Christian churches, to provide a form religion in which is true to the teachings of Christ, an enormous lack of faith has developed, leaving a vacuum which is now being filled by radical Muslim fervour. That is the real danger we must face, instead of sending our young men into countries where they are not wanted and often die for no good reason.