The
NATO training mission in Iraq (NMI) has been temporarily suspended due to the
recent developments in the country. In my opinion, it should remain frozen for
a few more days or even an additional couple of weeks. That would give time to
all participating countries to do a proper assessment of the situation and take
a more informed decision about the future of the mission. In an ideal world, it
should not resume until the political stalemate within the Iraqi government isn’t
resolved. But that can take a long time.
The
critical issues regarding this mission are its own protection – it must be
clearly assured – and the views of the Iraqi leaders. They must state, without
any ambiguity, that they want the mission to continue its work.
In
any case, it seems to me out of the question to expand the scope of the mission
and combine the training with a more operational approach. This is no combat
mission and it should remain as such. Any suggestion or request, from any
member state of NATO, to transform the role of the mission into a fighting
force should be firmly opposed.
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