NATO will take control of some 12,000 American troops based in eastern Afghanistan, a decision agreed upon by the alliance’s defense ministers and US military officials. A NATO statement said the International Security Assistance Force would expand to include another 14 provinces in the eastern section, and would be assisting the Afghan government with security throughout the country. NATO says the expansion would be implemented once US Marine Gen. James L. Jones, NATO’s operational commander, issues an activation order, expected shortly.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.