From the New Atlanticist: Lord George Robertson, NATO Secretary General from 1999 to 2004, says that the Alliance and its constituent members are "on the edge of a precipice looking down on a world of growing disorder and discontent and only blunt talk and straight language will save us from falling over."

The decision two weeks ago by the Dutch to end its participation in Afghanistan and the announcement by Canada that it will do the same is the harbinger of this dire moment. Robertson asked, "If these two robust allies and those who may be thinking of doing the same, and additionally those who contribute less than they should, can all shy away from their obligation stemming from the decision taken unanimously in 1993, what is it other than a crisis?"  (photo: Atlantic Council)

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