By Yu Zhixiao, Zhang Haibo
KABUL, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- NATO forces took command throughout Afghanistan in 2006, which analysts say has thrown the military alliance into the most challenging combat mission in its 57-year history.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) assumed command in southern Afghanistan in July and took over the eastern region in October, thus completed its ambitious battle mission across this country.
However, after its expansion throughout Afghanistan, the 32,000-strong ISAF has suffered many new challenges like much higher fatalities, shortage of personnel and logistics, and inflexible movement of troops from some major countries.
"Certainly, the war on terror (in Afghanistan) has reached a much more difficult stage at the present, and it seems that NATO forces are feeling more hazards and perils," local Outlook newspaper observed in a recent article.
As hotbeds of Taliban militants, southern and eastern Afghanistan is much more perilous than other regions.
For example, about 40 British soldiers have died in Afghanistan since the U.S.-led invasion late 2001, while 36 of them were killed since Britain's deployment to the volatile southern Helmand province as part of ISAF in July this year.
Canadian troops, which are stationed in the southern Kandahar province, suffered as high as about 30 fatalities since July, which has made more Canadian voters call for the forces' withdrawal.
Militants still launch suicide bombings against ISAF frequently, causing fresh casualties.
Analysts say there is a possibility that some of the 37 nations which contribute soldiers to ISAF would pull out of Afghanistan in the future due to domestic political or electoral pressure.
Meanwhile, top NATO commander James Jones had been demanding 2,500 extra troops for Afghanistan mission, but at a recent NATO summit in Riga, capital of Lativa, only Spain, Bulgaria agreed to donate a small number of forces, which were far below the demanded.
Jones' appeal for more helicopters, transport and reconnaissance capabilities is also yet to be fully satisfied.
Moreover, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, which are major soldier contributors to ISAF, have bluntly refused to send their troops to much more dangerous southern and eastern Afghanistan. They only promise that some of their troops can be moved into the regions in "emergencies."
Due to rising Taliban-linked violence, Afghanistan has plunged into the worst spate of bloodshed this year since the Taliban regime was toppled down five year ago. Insurgency in this country has killed nearly 4,000 people this year, which is four times greater than last year.
Several senior Taliban commanders have vowed that "We have the time," as they believe that foreign troops will be driven away from Afghanistan sooner or later, just as the Soviet forces had to withdraw after a 10-year occupation between 1979 and 1989.
In a recent interview with Reuters, Taliban commander Mullah Obaidullah said the Taliban could fight for 20 years.
"After five years of continuous fighting against foreign troops,the Taliban has become a strong military power and the Taliban is able to fight and defeat the strongest army," he said.
Some Taliban commanders even said in order to drive away foreign invaders they were ready to fight 30 or 50 years.
However, ISAF also seems determined to defeat the Taliban.
"NATO forces would continue to offer Afghans what they want and need," Maj. Luke Knittig, an ISAF spokesman, told Xinhua.
"Taliban and other insurgents can talk how long they will fight, but what they can offer to the Afghan people is only destruction and violence," he said.
The Taliban has the time, while the Afghan government and NATO troops also have the time, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said during a recent visit to Afghanistan.
Analysts say those who have a stronger will and those who can provide better future for Afghans will win the race in Afghanistan eventually.
