Publication

This briefing looks at security developments in January 2008 and their implications for NATO and in particular the US. According to the author, security problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan were leading to a potential crisis for NATO, three months ahead of a major meeting of the alliance. At the same time, he argues, there were indications of a deterioration in the security situation in Iraq sufficient to suggest that the 2008 planned withdrawal of the combat brigades added during the previous year's "surge" would not proceed as planned.