NATO in Afghanistan

Article by: EDITORIAL , Chicago Tribune
Updated: May 19, 2012 - 5:37 PM

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President Barack Obama meets with French President Francois Hollande, Friday, May 18, 2012, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press - Ap

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With this weekend's summit to decide the future of NATO's role in Afghanistan, a single question dominates: Will the NATO nations with troops now in Afghanistan follow the Gates Doctrine -- "In together, out together?"

Or will some governments bolt for the exits early, before the mission is finished?

Recently the spotlight swiveled onto newly elected French President Francois Hollande, who made a campaign pledge to yank 3,300 French troops in 2013. NATO and U.S. officials are pressuring Hollande to keep French troops in the 130,000-strong NATO force until the end of 2014.

In the last century, so many gave so much to liberate France. Yet Hollande can't continue to commit 3,300 troops to liberate Afghanistan?

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