Every NATO nation has personnel serving in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, which just changed command from a French to a Turkish general. One of NATO's newest members, Lithuania, is taking leadership of a Provincial Reconstruction Team -- joining other European nations in contributing to Afghanistan's stability and progress.
Indeed, more than half of all NATO nations have had forces in both Afghanistan and Iraq. As the Iraqi people take more steps along the challenging road to democracy, more NATO countries have agreed to help train Iraqi security personnel by providing funds or equipment and by establishing a war college and military academies.
Members of NATO share much more than an alliance; we are united by ties of blood and purpose, a heritage of liberty, and a calling to confront extremists' violence -- and defeat it.
In the 60 years since World War II came to an end, we have counted on each other in times of peril and challenge. I am old enough to remember both the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, and the ascent and collapse of Nazism, of Fascism, and of Soviet Communism. Together the members of NATO have helped to protect Kosovo and recently brought aid to the victims of a devastating tsunami. Great achievements are possible when the Atlantic community is united.
That unity need not mean a uniformity of tactics or views, but rather a union of purpose.? Those who cherish free political systems and free economic systems share similar hopes. Working together, those hopes can become realities for many more people.
Donald H. Rumsfeld is US Secretary of Defense.
Copyright: Project Syndicate
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