Other NATO Nations not shouldering Afghanistan burden.

[XabbaRus]

Read today that there has been little progress in pursuading the other NATO countires involved to take on a greater share of the burden.

To be honest I am pretty disappointed at Germany and France, their troops are in relatively peacful areas and it has been left to UK, US, Canadian and Dutch troops to shoulder the burden and take the greatest losses.

I think France and Germany should step up to the plate and allow their troops to be more involved, ie be moved to back up UK troops in the South.

I don't know the full reasons for them not doing so but it does annoy me.

[Polak]

Poland is sending additional 1100 troops to the worst region of the country, the south, German gov refused to send German troops in those areas.

Polish contingent will be made of (1100 Soldiers)
~100 Special Operations Forces - GROM
~100 Special Operations Forces - 1st Commando Regiment
~300 Soldiers from 6th Airborne Assault Brigade (1st and 2nd company from 18th Assault Battalion - 3rd company is currently in Lebanon)
~300 Soldiers from 17th Mechanized Brigade (1st and 2nd company from 1st Mechanized Battalion from Miêdzyrzecz)
??? from 1s Logistic Brigade from Bydgoszcz
~100 Polish EOD Team that operates in Afghanistan from the beginning of the mission will still perform its mission as earlier.
30 Rosomaks from 17th Mechanized.
60 HMMWVs from 6th Airborne-Assault.
4 Ry¶-Med
Some quad's

Polish paras will operate with US paras from 82nd Airborne Division as Rapid Deployment Force.
Polish general will be deputy chief of ISAF operation.
The Polish contingent will also be using US copters.

[waste gate]

My thought is that the EU would like to see the US go down, politically, economically and socially. After all the EU was established to counter the US lead in these areas. By sitting back and wringing and sitting on there hands they allow the US to expend blood and treasure which fits nicely into their quest for 'equality' in the political, economic, and social sphere they deem their birth right.

[XabbaRus]

Good to see Poland doing something.

What annoys me is that Afghanistan invasion involved a multinational force. It was n't like Iraq where principle players were UK and US.

I don't think the EU wants to see America go down but I do think there is some hypocrisy at work.

[micky1up]

typical of france and germany whom i consider traitors to democracy not to pull their weight in this whole affair a disgusting state of affairs from two nations who should be eternally greatful to the us/uk they should be ejected from nato and the eu little poland doing what two so called world giants cant be bothered to do shame on all french and germans

[bookworm_020]

Australia has had troops in Afghanistan and Iraq from day one. The nubers may not be that large compared to others, but with have a lot more deployed in the Pacific trying to help there, such as Boganville, Fiji, Solomans, East Timor and so on.

This is realy pushing the ability of the armed forces as they only have so much to go around. It isn't like they are being deployed to one place only.

[Fish]

Read today that there has been little progress in pursuading the other NATO countires involved to take on a greater share of the burden.

To be honest I am pretty disappointed at Germany and France, their troops are in relatively peacful areas and it has been left to UK, US, Canadian and Dutch troops to shoulder the burden and take the greatest losses.

I think France and Germany should step up to the plate and allow their troops to be more involved, ie be moved to back up UK troops in the South.

I don't know the full reasons for them not doing so but it does annoy me.

France is always abeam, all the world go's right they go left.
About germany. I can feel with them, it's very difficult for them to send troops into real battle, not because they are afraid but because of history.

[nightdagger]

I've wondered that, too. The US has (if I'm not mistaken) the biggest force out of the coalition, so it is reasonable that we should have the most troops in Iraq, but countries that have quite a bit less troops are making more of a contribution than countries like France and Germany.

[Konovalov]

Australia has had troops in Afghanistan and Iraq from day one. The nubers may not be that large compared to others, but with have a lot more deployed in the Pacific trying to help there, such as Boganville, Fiji, Solomans, East Timor and so on.

This is realy pushing the ability of the armed forces as they only have so much to go around. It isn't like they are being deployed to one place only.

We having been pulling more than our fair share of the weight from day one. Iraq, Afghanistan, not to mention the South Pacific island deployments. The ADF are pretty well stretched just as the Brits are. Quite frankly I'm tired of some Euro nations that have been making token contributions. :nope:

[XabbaRus]

My beef is with europe, Australia I take for granted will provide when needed.

OK Fish made a point about Germany which I can accept, but France? I suppose they think they have nothing to gain.

However with Germany, maybe they should start getting more involved, a sort of rehabilitation. I for one wouldn't get upset seeing a German soldier in combat alongside the Brits. The war has been over for 60 odd years. Time to move on.

[Yahoshua]

I agree. Having German soldiers experience combat alongside former enemies would be therapeutic and would help in improving relations. At least on the personal level if not diplomatically.

After all, we Americans revolted against the Brits, but now we're best buds (for the most part).

[Type941]

Why don't they propose that countries aspiring to join Nato send their troops in greater numbers, kind of like an Initiation into the biggest fraternity?

[UglyMowgli]

France have 1100 in ISAF + 950 in NATO operation in Astan + 200SF under US control+
air force airplanes for CAS, air refuel and navy ships in the region. At this time France have 14 400 troops in external operations from haiti to kosovo, africa, lebanon and we have also some DGSE members in Iraq (a member die last week).
here the map of the french deployment in the world.
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/sites/defense/enjeux_defense/forces_en_projection/

[bookworm_020]

Wasn't there a case of some troops from europe (Dutch??) in iraq getting a container from home with supplies that they requested. Instead they found snow blowers, heaters and salt for stoping ice on the road!:oops::-?

At least ther not the only ones not getting what they need to operate in effective manner!:doh: