US President Barack Obama suggested today his much-anticipated review of Afghanistan policy would emphasise better co-ordination with fellow Nato members to halt a strengthening insurgency.
Analysts have described the Nato command and control structure in Afghanistan as unwieldy and designed to maximsze coalition representation - there are some 40 countries involved in the mission - rather than military effectiveness.
"We are confident that we can create a process whereby Nato, which is already strong, becomes stronger, where we become more effective in coordinating our efforts in Afghanistan," Mr Obama told reporters.
A US official said yesterday Mr Obama would announce the results of his Afghanistan review on Friday. Other officials have said the president has not yet made a final decision.
Mr Obama spoke after talks at the White House with Nato Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on next month's Nato summit in France and Germany marking the 60th anniversary of the transatlantic organisation.
The president has called for a new, multi-pronged strategy for Afghanistan to prevent the country from becoming a springboard for al-Qaeda attacks on the United States.
While some details of the proposed strategy, which is to be presented at the Nato summit on April 3rd-4th, have leaked out, Mr Obama has been tight-lipped about what it will say and described it on Tuesday as a work in progress.
Reuters