The domestic political implications regarding Afghanistan are challenging and it appears the coalition government in the Netherlands, led by J. P. Balkenende, is losing the support of the Labour Party on this issue. It appears the likely consequence will be an election in May, a year earlier than scheduled.
Here is a link to a British Guardian report.
How this issue plays out in the domestic politics of various NATO countries will be very significant in the year ahead. While every country has a distaste for the ongoing cost of the war -- primarily in human but also in financial terms -- I think most realize that a total withdrawal of all NATO troops a year from now is unlikely to have positive results either for the people of Afghanistan or for international security. The wisdom of our leaders and the collective vision of (primarily) western nations will be put to the test by this issue.
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There is considerable, if private, discontent with the war in Afghanistan even among Balkenende's strongest supporters in the NL. I wouldn't be surprised if this became the first of a series of European spats/withdrawals in the next 12 months.
The labour Party was the only party that stuck to the earlier agreement of terminating the Dutch contribution to the Afghanistan mission by the end of 2010.
Many Dutch citizens do complement the LP for that fact. Question that rise are:
1. Is it, looking at the bigger picture, a wise decision? It is my feeling that the majority of the Dutch citizens have little to no understanding of the challenges regarding international safety. What, for example, will be the consequences on the longer term for the situation in Pakistan when the international community walks away from Afghanistan?
2. What will be the consequences for Holland in the international arena? Requests for troop support are usually sent after the political agreements have been reached. Walking away from a request, that only needs a formal confirmation, hasn't proven itself to be very beneficial.
I am both curious and concerned looking at the future.
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