In a letter to Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the President wrote: “In accordance with part 517 of the Overseas Help Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2321k), I’m offering discover of my intent to rescind the designation of Afghanistan as a Main Non‑NATO Ally.”
In 2012, the US named Afghanistan a serious non-NATO ally, which cleared the best way for the 2 nations to keep up a protection and financial relationship. Then-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton introduced the designation throughout a go to to Kabul.
In contrast to NATO allies of the US, who’re certain collectively by a joint protection pact, there is no such thing as a mutual protection assure as a non-NATO ally. These allies are eligible to obtain materials and provide loans, in addition to function a location for US-owned warfare reserve stockpiles. Moreover, personal corporations from the designated nation can bid on contracts to keep up, restore or overhaul US navy gear abroad.
The ally standing had made Afghanistan eligible to obtain navy coaching and help, together with expediting the sale and leasing of navy gear even after NATO troops left the nation.
With Afghanistan’s standing rescinded, the US can have 18 main non-NATO allies, in accordance with the State Division. They’re: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand and Tunisia.
The US designated Colombia and Qatar as non-NATO allies earlier this yr.
The change in Afghanistan’s standing follows Biden’s withdrawal of US troops from the nation final yr, ending almost 20 years of warfare.
Afghanistan swiftly fell again within the fingers of the Taliban, which have repeatedly made assurances to the worldwide group that they are going to shield the rights of girls and ladies, whereas concurrently stripping away lots of their freedoms and protections.
This story has been up to date with extra particulars.
