Mons, Belgium - NATO's six-year-old mission in Afghanistan is "challenging" but by no means "hopeless," the alliance's new Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) said Thursday. "The situation in Afghanistan is very challenging, but it is far from hopeless, and I hope our approach will be an effective one in dealing with the insurgency," said Admiral James Stavridis after formally taking over the post from General John Craddock.
Stavridis said he would need one or two months to consult with NATO allies and commanders on the ground before coming up with any additional requests, stressing that his anti-Taliban strategy would involve "putting the Afghan people at the center of the equation."
Asked what he would say to the families of NATO's fallen soldiers, Stavridis said: "I would say that their sons and daughters in some cases have fallen in the defence of freedom."
NATO assumed control of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in 2003.
With a total of 42 contributing nations, ISAF's strength currently totals approximately 61,130 soldiers, according to NATO's latest figures.
