NATO Secretary-General Anders Rasmussen admits that the countries within the Mediterranean Dialogue and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative share the northern alliance’s interests in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan. This is for the reason that instability in Afghanistan will cause the spread of instability in the region. Pakistan, specifically, is of grave concern in terms of the stability equation because it is undeniably a nuclear power.

That is why, according to the NATO chief, the cooperation of Muslim countries is crucial in the war in Afghanistan. He says, “If it became visible that countries with a Muslim background also contributed to our mission in Afghanistan, then it would become even more clear, which is a fact, that this is not about religion but a fight against extremism and terrorism. Already now, a couple of countries with Muslim backgrounds contribute to our mission in Afghanistan. It is very important for me to stress that this is definitely not about religion; it is about protecting the Afghan people against terrorism and extremism.”

Rasmussen offers suggestions as to how Muslim countries can show their support to NATO’s counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan. He says that Muslim countries can contribute in terms of military requirements and financial aid. NATO’s training mission in Afghanistan is one important aspect that needs support. The training component may very well be the flagship of the NATO mission in the beleaguered country because it involves ‘the transition to an Afghan lead across the board from security to development.’

More specifically, the training mission in Afghanistan involves the development of the capacity of the Afghan security forces ‘to educate and train Afghan soldiers and Afghan police so that the Afghans can become capable to take lead responsibility for their own security.’

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Via The Christian Science Monitor