President Obama lauded NATO’ accomplishments over the past 60 years at an anniversary summit today in Strasbourg, France. “But while we celebrate NATO’s achievements, we can’t rest upon them. The 21st century has ushered in a new era of global threats. To meet these dangers, the alliance must renew and reform itself once more,” he said.
Among those dangers are terrorist groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This topic was a focus of NATO meetings as Obama has been seeking support for his new Afghan strategy.
NATO members agreed to provide about 5,000 troops and trainers to provide civilian assistance ahead of Afghanistan’s August elections. “All of NATO understands that al Qaeda is a threat to all of us, and that this collective security effort must achieve its goals,” the president said.
Comments (2)
J.Khan
5 April 2009 at 04:49 EDT
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We can not understand that why the US administration is always talking in negative terms. If we look back, the Pukhtuns of Afghanistan and Pakistan were the best friends of US and NATO during the USSR invasion of Afghanistan. Before the USSR invasion, there were no opposition to US or NATO in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Some political leader like Maulana Fazle Rehman and Qazi Hussain Ahmed were criticising US. But that was purely on political bases and for their personal gains.
The US/NATO vital interests in the region are not clashing with the interest of Pukhtuns. If we sliced the problem, we can come to the conclusion that their is no clash between US/NATO and Pukhtuns. The interests of Pukhtuns should be backed by the US. Pukhtuns as a whole wants peace, security, development and an independent state. The US committed to it on every forum.
Gas pipeline from Central Asia, Indian Ocean or containing China or India are in the interest of US and Pukhtunkhwa alike.
If a group of people instigated by the outsiders opposing US in the area. Then logically the US/NATO should not punish the whole area for what a group is doing. The sensible solution is that on one hand the US should find the outsiders hand and on the other take the Pukthuns in confidence. Otherwise this group will multiply and will grow with the negative attitude of US. Because revenge is the culture of Pukthuns.
Addiction Writer
6 April 2009 at 15:27 EDT
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I’m glad President Obama is confronting NATO and real agreements are needed badly, especially in times like these with the economic crisis etc. However, though it may seem indirect and off lines a tad I pray addiction, substance abuse and the drug trade will enter into the NATO conversation and agreement seeking. As a counselor and researcher of substance abuse related issues http://www.addictionwatch.com I know that it will take many very hard decisions and even harder backing of those decisions to curb the drug trade into our country from sources that we might otherwise now help for political reasons. Millions in the U.S. suffer from addiction including the families and friends of those who have fallen prey to the entrapment drug and alcohol use brings. Many of Obama’s supporters face challenges in their own country and within their own families stemming from drugs originating from these other countries. Please help us end the real suffering in the United States. Get drugs and addiciton discussed more frequently on the global frontier where it belongs.