The Secretary General’s Annual Report 2011 Foreword any will remember 2011 as a year of flexibility. European Allies and Canada took the lead; the austerity. But it has also been a year of United States provided critical capabilities; and the NATO hope. The international community united command structure unified all those contributions, as well as in its responsibility to protect. Much of the those of our partners, for one clear goal. In fact, the operation MArab world took a new path forward. And the European opened a completely new chapter of cooperation with Allies showed they were willing and able to lead a new our partners in the region, who called for NATO to act and NATO operation. then contributed actively. It was also an exemplary mission of cooperation and consultation with other organizations, For NATO, 2011 was one of the busiest years ever. From including the United Nations, the League of Arab States, and Libya to Afghanistan and Kosovo, from the Mediterranean Sea the European Union. Throughout, NATO proved itself as a to the Indian Ocean, the Alliance was committed to protecting force for good and the ultimate force multiplier. its populations and active in upholding its principles and values. We enabled the Afghan security forces to start taking These achievements give me great confidence as I look the lead for security for over half of the Afghan population. forward to 2012. Clearly, economic challenges are likely to We successfully concluded our training mission which has remain a dominant factor and decisions taken today may contributed to improving Iraq’s security capacity. 2011 was shape our world for decades to come. Our task is to make also a benchmark year for reforms. We took significant steps sure we emerge stronger, not weaker, from the crisis we to further streamline our structures, enhance our effectiveness all face. But we can draw great strength from an enduring and reduce our costs. At the same time, we strengthened our source: the indivisibility of security between North America capabilities in many areas, including the prevention of cyber and Europe. NATO is a security investment that has stood attacks. And we enhanced our connectivity by increasing the test of time for over six decades and continues to deliver cooperation with our partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic real returns for all Allies, year after year. area, the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf, as well as with many other countries across the globe. This is a 2012 will be marked by our Chicago Summit in May. transatlantic Alliance that, despite the economic crisis, This will be an opportunity to renew our commitment to has once again demonstrated its commitment, capability the vital transatlantic bond between us and to redouble our and connectivity. efforts to share the burden of security more effectively. We will take important decisions to keep NATO committed, In 2011, our new Strategic Concept was put to the test. This report – the first of its kind – shows that we capable and connected. successfully met that test. Afghanistan remains by far our largest operation, with At the start of the year, few would have imagined NATO over 130,000 troops as part of the broadest coalition in would be called to protect the people of Libya. But on history. 50 Allies and partners are determined to ensure 31 March, NATO took swift action on the basis of the the country will never again be a base for global terrorism. historic United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973. Afghanistan is moving into the right direction and transition We saved countless lives. And seven months later, we to Afghan security lead is on track to be completed by successfully completed our mission. When I visited Tripoli the end of 2014. As Afghan security forces grow more on 31 October, Chairman Jalil of the National Transitional confident and capable, our role will continue to evolve Council told me, “NATO is in the heart of the Libyan people.” into one of support, training and mentoring. But the Chicago Summit will show our commitment to a long-term Operation Unified Protector was one of the most remarkable partnership with Afghanistan, together with the whole in NATO’s history. It showed the Alliance’s strength and international community, beyond 2014. 2 At Chicago, we will also take measures to improve our successfully and I expect the initial components of the capabilities. During our operation in Libya, the United States system to be in place by the time of the Chicago Summit. deployed critical assets, such as drones, precision-guided munitions and air-to-air refuelling. We need such assets NATO has invested heavily in its network of partnerships. to be available more widely among Allies. In the current Continued NATO-Russia cooperation is vital for the economic climate, delivering these expensive capabilities security of the Euro-Atlantic area and the wider world. will not be easy. But it can be done, and it is critical if we Twenty-two partner countries have troops or trainers on are to respond effectively to the challenges of the future. the ground in Afghanistan. And our successful operation The answer lies in what I call “smart defence”: doing better to protect the people of Libya could not have taken with less by working more together. In Chicago, we will place without the political and operational support of our deliver real “smart defence” commitments, so that every partners in the region and beyond. At Chicago, we will Ally can contribute to an even more capable Alliance. recognize the contribution made by our partners who are willing and able to share the security burden with us. NATO’s missile defence system to defend European Allies’ populations, territory and forces against the growing threat Chicago is about delivering important commitments. of ballistic missile proliferation is “smart defence” at its best Personal commitment, too, has been key to the Alliance’s and it embodies transatlantic solidarity. We have already made considerable progress. Along with a prominent and success. Dedicated civilian and military staff are working phased US contribution, a number of Allies have made in operational theatres and in headquarters to protect our significant announcements, including Turkey, Poland, 900 million citizens. They work under demanding and Romania, Spain, the Netherlands and France. These dangerous conditions. This report is a tribute above all to different national contributions will be gradually brought their sacrifice, bravery, and professionalism. together under a common NATO command and control system. Key elements of it have already been tested ■ Anders Fogh Rasmussen NATO Secretary General 3 4 progress andprospects progress operations – NATO ground, air and naval operations in all types of environment. environment. of types all in operations naval and air ground, complex managing continents, three on missions NATO-led the provision of security for Afghanistan. ISAF conducts conducts ISAF Afghanistan. for security of provision the remains (ISAF) Force Assistance Security International NATO-led UN-mandated, the of focus main The Afghanistan crises such in intervene to able and equipped prepared, is Alliance the that showed which Libya, to commitment NATO’s by marked however, was, 2011 date. to commitment operational significant most Alliance’s the constitutes Afghanistan T through to Europe and the East for the global economy. economy. global the for East the and Europe to through waterway vital a protect to helping efforts, counter-piracy to contribution significant a making is Alliance the Aden, of Gulf the in and Africa of Horn the Off region. Balkans Western entire the of stability the in role key a playing is and Kosovo, in security and peace provide to helping also is NATO over 140,000 military personnel are engaged in in engaged are personnel military 140,000 over Today, 1990’s. early the in interventions military first Alliance’s the since considerably increased have operations NATO of diversity and tempo he – and must continue to be able to do so. do to able be to continue must and Number of Incidents - 150 150 250 350 450 - 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jan 08 Feb 08 + Mar 08 52 Apr 08 % May 08 Jun 08 Jul 08 Aug 08 S e 200 Sep 08 p - N Oct 08 8 o Nov 08 v Dec 08 Enemy-initiated attackscountry-wide E Jan 09 n e m Feb 09 A + tt y - 59 ack Mar 09 Ini t Apr 09 % s i a May 09 t e Jun 09 d Jul 09 Aug 09 S e 200 Sep 09 p - N Oct 09 9 o v Nov 09 Dec 09 In Y c ea Jan 10 r ease r Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A). In parallel, ISAF ISAF parallel, In (NTM-A). Mission-Afghanistan Training NATO the through force police and army Afghan the up build help to continued has ISAF operations, security conducting to addition In security. with them providing in lead the take to beginning police and army their saw population the half over 2011, In forces. Afghan to troops ISAF from country the of security the for responsibility of transition gradual the commencing and country, the of south the in especially strategy, insurgency counter- ISAF’s with 2010 in made achievements the reinforcing consolidation, of year a been has 2011 terrorists. for haven safe a becomes again never country the that ensure to is presence ISAF’s for reason fundamental The future. democratic and stable secure, Afghanistan’s to commitment international unwavering the of measure true a – ISAF in participating are countries world’s the of quarter a than more Currently, Police. National Afghan the and Army National Afghan the training including structures, and Forces Security National Afghan of development the in assists and (ANSF) Forces Security National Afghan the with coordination in operations security Feb 10 B + e 94 Mar 10 f f o r o r Apr 10 % e m May 10 Jun 10 Jul 10 Aug 10 S e 201 Sep 10 p - N 0 Oct 10 o v Nov 10 Dec 10 D Y ec Jan 11 ea r ease Feb 11 r - B 21 Mar 11 e f f o % Apr 11 r r o e May 11 m Jun 11 Jul 11 Aug 11 S e 201 Sep 11 p - N 1 Oct 11 o v Nov 11 Database, as of 16 Dec 2011.