ADM Stavridis meets the Afghan Kandak (Battalion) commander in Forward Operating Base Shindand while visiting ISAF troops in Western Afghanistan 19 January 2010.

I’m back from spending a few days in Afghanistan last week – and I came away encouraged and optimistic about our approach. 

In the course of three days in both Kabul and Herat, which is out west, I had the privilege to observe both ISAF and Afghan forces in action.  With this trip complete and an important international conference on Afghanistan upcoming in London, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share a few observations with you. 

My arrival in Kabul on Monday morning, January 18, amidst an insurgent attack in the capital was particularly timely.  The Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) responded quickly and effectively to prevent the insurgents from disrupting government operations.  It was inspiring to see firsthand the progress that Afghan forces have made, and the increasing responsibility they are assuming for their nation’s security.  All 15 insurgents were killed or captured, with a minimal loss of life on the Afghan side.  Our NATO troops were NOT involved! 

This brings me to the subject of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A).  This mission is one of our top priorities.  We must ensure that our NTM-A Commander, Lieutenant General Bill Caldwell, is fully resourced and capable of providing the essential training that will allow Afghan forces to take increasing responsibility for their nation’s security — as they did so admirably last Monday in Kabul. 

Admiral Stavridis addresses the local press, accompanied by Italian Commanding General Alessandro Veltri, while visiting ISAF troops in Western Afghanistan 19 January 2010.

I also flew out west to visit Herat, about 700km west of Kabul, where I was able to spend time with the Italian Commanding General Alessandro Veltri and his team of well over 5,000 NATO troops from a dozen nations.  In Forward Operating Base SHINDAND, south of Herat, I met a brilliant Italian officer, Colonel Dei, who is supporting economic development through the establishment of micro-loan programs that supply Afghan women with seed money for small businesses.  Such programs reach to the heart of the nexus between security, stability, and prosperity, and embody the comprehensive approach.  

During this trip, I met with ISAF and Afghan leadership; I received dozens of briefings; I saw our troops in action.  And at the end of it all, I left knowing that our efforts are making a real difference.  The future of Afghanistan and the stability of the region are directly linked to the security of our own countries, our own citizens, and the broader international community.  Our sacrifices have been great and more will be required of us, but they have brought with them a new momentum, matched by renewed international commitment. 

Admiral Stavridis, accompanied by Italian Commanding General Alessandro Veltri, visits the ISAF troops in Western Afghanistan 19 January 2010.

The next big event is the London Conference on Afghanistan this week.  I’ll be part of the NATO delegation, headed by Secretary General Rasmussen and accompanied by my good friend General Stan McChrystal.  There will be a presentation on the security side of the situation, but the real emphasis of the conference is to match the civilian side of the equation to our military work.  As I’ve said many times, we MUST get the balance right between the civil and military if we are to succeed – and we will.  

At the conference, the United Nations and over 60 other delegations will be present to address the overall effort in Afghanistan.  We’ll focus on governance, economics, and security.  A key presentation will be by the Afghans themselves, as they lay out a course forward that includes everything from anti-corruption to ideas about reconciliation and reintegration of the Taliban.  

Buckle up for 2010 in Afghanistan – it’ll be a fast ride, with lots of twists and turns.  Yet overall I believe we can and will succeed. 

Adm. James Stavridis
Commander, U.S. European Command and
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe