Afghanistan after 2014: We know who calls the tune but who pays the piper?

The U.S. for the most part is calling the tune in Afghanistan after 2014 although Karzai will have a say. But who pays for it all?

Half at least will be paid by the U.S. taxpayer. NATO members are doing their best to keep their share as small as possible. However any payments at all are politically risky in countries where the war is very unpopular. However in the U.S. there seems to be bipartisan support for continued involvement in Afghanistan after 2014 even though it is costly and the majority of Americans oppose the war.. Some special forces and trainers will also remain and no doubt so will continued night raids although most of them will be Afghan led.

Support for Afghanistan and a continued presence is planned for at least another ten years. This has been evident for some time but in the U.S. the issue seems to be virtually ignored.The hype is all about withdrawal!

. Estimated costs to support Afghan security forces is about 4.1 billion U.S. per year. The U.S. is prepared to assume half of the costs. The Afghan government can afford only about half a billion. This leaves 1.8 billion for other NATO partners.

Most countries have made vague commitments with only tiny Luxembourg committing to its fair share. However Britain offered a firm 110 million an amount that one might expect from Scrooge! Many think that successful financing commitments may be a precondition of a final signing off on any agreement on the future by Karzai. For more see this article.