Remarks

Let me, once again, congratulate General Abrial for taking up this important new post. Thank General Mattis for what he has done for NATO transformation. And express my appreciation that SACEUR, Admiral Stavrides, could also be with us today.

But I don’t want to repeat what I just said in my speech about transformation. Instead, I want to focus on Afghanistan – because I am concerned that the public discourse on the effort in Afghanistan has started to go in the wrong direction.

Of course, I know why. We are losing soldiers from our countries to Taliban attacks. The allegations of fraud during the elections are disturbing. And there is a sense amongst many people, in many countries, that we are not making progress fast enough.

I agree with all these points. We are not making progress fast enough. The allegations of fraud are disturbing. And the loss of every one of our soldiers is a tragedy.

But there are three important points which I think we all need to remember.

First: we may not be making progress fast enough, but we are making progress. The Taliban has no chance of taking power again, nor do terrorists have any safe haven in Afghanistan from which to threaten the world. Afghans are slowly but steadily leading better, freer lives. And while the elections have clearly not been close to perfect, in the context, they were still a step forward.

Second: we must stay in Afghanistan as long as necessary, and we will stay as long as necessary. Let no one think that a run for the exits is an option. It is not.

My view on this is very clear. What we are doing now is very difficult and very costly. But if we were to walk away, we would pay a much higher cost, and soon. Terrorists in Afghanistan, and attacking from Afghanistan. Profound instability in Pakistan, and in Central Asia. Extremists from around the world emboldened. This is simply not a future we can allow to happen.

But what we do need – and this is my third point – is a clear step towards transition. Transition to Afghan leadership, in all areas: security, health, education, development, governance. Within NATO, that means investing much more heavily in training and developing the Afghan Security Forces. And I support the conference proposed by France, German and the United Kingdom precisely because it will focus on transition in civilian sectors as well.

The bottom line is this: we need to show the Afghan people, and the citizens of troop-contributing nations, that we are getting somewhere. Which means we need to make more progress, and we need to do better at showing it. That means clear, visible transition.

But what we cannot and will not do is waver. Success in our effort is essential to Afghan security, to regional security and our security. And we will get there.