Several NATO countries are balking at a U.S. request that their troops in Afghanistan do more to confront drug lords whose money helps bankroll the Taliban, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday, the Associated Press reports. Gates said several options are on the table for further discussion, including allowing some nations who are opposed to the plan to “opt out” without blocking others from participating.
Germany, Italy, and Spain have expressed concerns that a more aggressive counter-drug effort would lead to a backlash against international troops serving in Afghanistan. They fear that broadening the mission would overstretch hard-pressed troops, and give the Afghan government less incentive to fight the drug problem on its own.
Link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-10-09-afghan-strategy_N.htm