For the Americans, the withdrawal from Afghanistan is a national decision but…
(BRUSSELS2) The French decision to withdraw combat troops before the end of 2012 from Afghanistan does not worry Washington too much. But doesn't really arouse enthusiasm either. Everyone hopes for a slight softening of the French position. As Ivo Daalder, the American ambassador, explained to me in a "tweet" exchange, it is " nations to determine for themselves ". (But) the ISAF operation is based on " the "in together, out together" principle », or all together to enter, all together to leave. And the Allies decided to " complete the operation in 2014 ».
NB: the principle "in together and out together" must be nuanced. Because not everyone "entered Afghanistan together". And the French were among the first to take part in it, long before other nations taking part in the operation today: in October 2001 for the air forces and in November 2001 for the naval forces with the Charles de Gaulle (operation Herakles ) and from January 2002 for land forces, some incorporated into Operation Enduring Freedom, others into ISAF. Moreover, we are now in the middle of a transition period, where the Kapisa will pass entirely under the control of Afghan forces, as President Karzai pointed out a few days ago when presenting the 3rd phase of transition. There is therefore not a total break in the coalition, but simply an acceleration of the timetable, which is not impromptu. It was widely announced to the allies during the campaign and today officially.
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