NATO tensions surface amid growing pressure in Afghanistan.

Tensions between NATO allies, notably with the United States, and doubts about the powers of a new UN envoy are a sign of growing pressure as the alliance struggles in Afghanistan, experts say.

A new peak was reached last week, when US Defense Secretary Robert Gates hit out at allied operations against Taliban fighters in south Afghanistan, which led to the Netherlands summoning the US ambassador for an explanation. [...]

"The most glaring challenge is the lack of a coordinated strategy both at the military level and in the area of post-conflict reconstruction," said Julianne Smith at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies.

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