Once it rapidly completed military operations (in Afghanistan) ... the Bush administration, engaged in preparations for the war in Iraq, devoted little attention to the management of the country and its political and economic reconstruction. Then, political responsibilities for the future of Afghanistan were gradually given to the Europeans, while military responsibilities, even more gradually, (were given) to NATO.

Today, the NATO contingent is made up of 300,000 troops. Commanders on the field and NATO’s (top officials) keep asking the members of the organization for a greater commitment. But it does not seem that these requests can be satisfied, for at least three reasons. First, because all the major countries already have troops engaged in other areas, from Kosovo to Lebanon. Second, because state budgets have other priorities. Third, because European public opinions oppose the second Afghan war.

The three reasons hold particularly well for Italy, which is in Afghanistan with 2,500 troops, but does not take part — as well as other countries — in combat operations, and for this reason is continuously under U.S. pressures.

Corriere della Sera, Milan, Italy

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