Afghanistan

Lt. General McChrystal Stresses Safety of Civilians in Afghanistan Mission
President Obama’s nominee for Commander of NATO ISAF and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on June 2, articulating his objectives for the future of U.S. operations in Afghanistan. The war is winnable, he said, underscoring the importance of protecting of Afghan civilians. “I believe that providing the Afghan people – battered by 30 years of almost unbroken violence – an opportunity to shape their future requires our firm commitment and demonstrates the values that underpin America's credibility world wide,” he said, later adding, “this is a struggle for the support of the Afghan people.” Lt. General McChrystal emphasized tactical concerns as well, such as a need for precision military operations and effective Afghan security forces. “Presently, ISAF forces are conducting security and stability operations, providing senior leadership in all five regional commands, and are directly involved in the mentoring, training and equipping of the Afghan National Army. I look forward to listening to, learning from, and leading this team in our common challenge,” Lieutenant General McChrystal said.

“Good Performers Initiative” Rewards Poppy-free Afghan Provinces
On May 28, 2009, the U.S. and Afghanistan signed a memorandum of agreement awarding over $6,437,000 to seven provinces in Afghanistan, recognizing their efforts to eliminate or significantly reduce poppy cultivation. This incentive is part of the Good Performers Initiative, aimed at reducing illicit opiate production, which provides funding to the Taliban. Tackling poppy production in Afghanistan is one component in a multifaceted counter-insurgency strategy that contributes to U.S. and NATO operations in the region.
Afghanistan, which previously accounted for more than 82 percent of global poppy production, reduced poppy cultivation by almost 20 percent in 2008. Eighteen of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces were poppy free, and another nine provinces reported only a very small amount of poppy. Narcotics cultivation was mainly confined to five provinces in the south, where insecurity makes it difficult for the government to use law enforcement against narcotics. more

NATO, Afghan and Pakistani Troops Improve Coordination
Located just a few miles from the Afghan-Pakistani border, the Khyber Border Coordination Center (KBCC) has brought Pakistani, Afghan and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops together to improve communication and coordination. This effort strengthens security along the Afghan-Pakistani border, a crucial concern of Afghan and ISAF forces working to establish stability in the area.

Taliban insurgents and Al-Qaeda terrorists have used the difficult border terrain for safe-haven and to facilitate crossing into Afghanistan and launching attacks. With the KBCC fully operational, the two nations and ISAF are able to coordinate a response together almost instantly. more
 

Ambassador Daalder : “A Full and Urgent Agenda for NATO in the 21st Century” In a June 8 speech before the Security and Defence Agenda (SDA), U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder delved into the challenges facing NATO and articulated the vision of the new U.S. Administration. “NATO today is accomplishing things that only a few years ago were unimaginable,” he said to over 200 members of SDA, journalists, and fellow diplomats. Ambassador Daalder emphasized NATO’s three fundamental priorities, which he identified as NATO’s mission in Afghanistan, the relationship between NATO and Russia, and the prospect of building a new Alliance for the future. “We have to find a way to do more, with greater efficiency of resources, and in partnership with others. That means America doing more, Europe doing more, our Partners doing more,” said Ambassador Daalder. Speech: Transcript | Video

Balkans

U.S. Reaffirms Commitment to Kosovo and Peace in the Balkans
Vice President Joe Biden recently traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Kosovo to reaffirm the continuing U.S. commitment to security in the Balkans. Over 14,000 troops from 33 countries, including 25 NATO members, from the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) are still deployed in Kosovo to help maintain a safe and secure environment for all of Kosovo’s citizens.

The Vice President spoke of the need to heal ethnic divisions and look to a future integrated with Europe and western institutions. At Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo, he praised the efforts of KFOR troops and underscored the importance of their work. “This mission brings stability and prosperity to Kosovo and it symbolizes the way that NATO has reached out beyond its original boundaries and mission to provide security in places that need help like this one, and in turn enhance our security,” Biden said. He added that the troops “demonstrate every day what we call the new NATO.” more

• Vice President Biden Remarks to Troops at Camp Bondsteel
• Vice President Biden Remarks to the Assembly of Kosovo
• Vice President Biden Remarks in Serbia
• Vice President Biden Address to the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina

NATO

NATO Training in Georgia a Success 
Partnership for Peace exercises in Georgia, Cooperative Lancer 09 and Cooperative Longbow 09, concluded on June 1, marking the fourth year in which these programs have strengthened the ability of NATO Allies and partner nations to work together. These cooperative missions are aimed at promoting multinational military interoperability and standardization, ensuring that NATO partners can respond jointly and efficiently to contemporary security demands. Previous Longbow/Lancer exercises have been conducted in Moldova, Albania, and Armenia. Georgia has committed forces to Iraq, working side by side with other partner countries and NATO allies. The exercises have helped to promote a NATO commitment to security and multilateral partnership.
 

Cybersecurity

President Obama Creates New Cybersecurity Coordinator Position  
On May 29, President Obama outlined the seriousness of the cyber threat to the nation’s digital infrastructure, saying it is “one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation.” To respond to that challenge, he announced the creation of a new office in the White House, led by a Cybersecurity Coordinator, to orchestrate the high-level efforts to protect the U.S. digital infrastructure. The new Cybersecurity Coordinator is expected to be named soon and will be part of the President’s new National Security Staff. more

NATO also recognizes threats to the Alliance’s cyber security as an important strategic consideration. Last year, seven NATO nations and NATO’s capabilities transformation command agreed to the formal establishment of a Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCD COE) in order to enhance NATO’s cyber defense capability.

• President Obama Remarks on Securing the Nation’s Cyber Infrastructure
• Cybersecurity Chief at the National Security Council Remarks on Securing the Nation's Digital Future