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After much delay, Afghanistan and
US have signed a BSA (Bilateral Security Agreement) that will chart the course
for the two countries post withdrawal of majority of American troops. The BSA
was signed in Kabul. This long term security pact will be crucial in deciding
the nature of internal security in
Afghanistan. Significantly, there is nothing in the BSA to stop the Americans
from increasing their presence in Afghanistan if the situation calls for it. Following
the signing of the BSA, Afghanistan also signed an agreement with NATO
Stationing of troops
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The NATO led coalition called the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) led the war efforts in Afghanistan.
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This number of troops further goes down in accordance with the
BSA.
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The NATO and US forces
combined are expected to be around 12,000 with 9,800 being American and 2,000
from NATO.
Retention of bases
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Under the BSA, US will retain access to 9 major land and airbases
including the airfields in Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar.
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These bases will US access to not only Afghanistan but also to
nearby tribal Pakistan.
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The additional bases situated all over Afghanistan like Kabul,
Heart, Helmand, Mazar-i-Sharif etc will help it retaliate to an attack anywhere
in the country.
Status of Forces Agreement
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The agreement enter into between Afghanistan and NATO is called Status of Forces agreement.
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The BSA was a precondition to the signing of this agreement. Under
it, NATO has agreed to fund Afghanistan’s police and
security forces till 2017.
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The NATO troops will focus on training, equipping and advising
Afghan troops and will not engage in counter-terrorism efforts.
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The American Forces will be dealing with counter-terrorism
efforts.
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NATO led ISAF will have a
training mission headquartered at Kabul and will also have six bases throughout
Afghanistan.
Ø It is to be
noted that US is also a part of NATO and is also a party to this agreement.
Withdrawal
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signatories to the BSA, Afghanistan and USA retain the right to withdraw from
the agreement. But, this right is exercisable only after 2 years.
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