The EU and Multilateral Peace Operations: After Afghanistan

By the end of 2014, European nations will have all withdrawn their combat troops from Afghanistan. In many cases, a small number of troops from Europe will remain to perform the role of mentors and trainers and Special Forces will presumably continue to operate as part of the US’s Operation Enduring Freedom, killing and capturing terrorists. However, European and, indeed, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops will no longer be involved in fighting the campaign against the Taliban. As the 2014 deadlines approach, it is perhaps worth considering what the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan has taught European member states and their armed forces about military intervention in the twenty-first century, for the operation has been the most unexpected, contentious and difficult in which Europe has been involved since the end of the Cold War. This chapter intends to draw some conclusions not only about the prospects for European peace operations but also for European military capability more generally during the post-Afghan decade.