US Army Colonel Douglas Mastriano , in a research project at the US Army War College in Carlisle , Pennsylvania , discussed the challenges that this dilemma poses to the alliance , and although daunting , argues that one should expect this from a system of independent nations that have divergent interests and political will in regard to Afghanistan . He argues that strategic leaders have to operate with what nations are willing to give and thereby leverage NATO 's troops where they can do the most good . Despite the difficulties , Mastriano says , " When one looks at the ISAF mission holistically , Afghanistan has been good for the alliance . It has expanded its global role , demonstrated that it can conduct a sustained out of area mission , NATO can operate with coalition partners from around the world , it has endurance ( now ten years in Afghanistan , and counting ) and that it is not easily be intimidated . Despite the Taliban 's efforts otherwise , NATO has endured relatively high casualties ( higher than many nations anticipated ) , and despite this , none of these nations have retreated in the face of it . " As to the Afghan mission , Mastriano says , " Nine years after the 9/11 attacks , things look grim in Afghanistan , but it is not too late . NATO , and her strongest partner , the US , possess both the initiative and ability to turn things around ... They simply must do the hard work to create unity of effort and unity of command through capable leadership because losing is not an option . " Caveats are also applied in Iraq . According to an article written by Major General Rick Lynch and Lieutenant Colonel Phillip D. Janzen , US Army , " National caveats on personnel participating in NATO-led operations are not a new challenge . Lessons learned from operations in the Balkans often emphasize the impact of caveats on that mission . Nations contributing personnel to the NATO Training Mission - Iraq ( NTM-I ) also apply operational caveats to their force offerings , to include restrictions on the place of duty and length of deployment . Operational impacts from caveats are countless but include restricting force protection troops from securing vehicle convoys . Another case involves limiting personnel to duty in Baghdad 's International Zone . "
9/11 attacks
September 11 attacks
National caveats