Nordic armies in Afghanistan: How much longer?

NATO's hope of stabilizing Afghanistan fortunately does not depend the Nordic countries, but their armed forces have made an impact. The Danes have been a spearhead in hazardous Helmand province, while the Norwegians and Swedes have shown their flags in the north. That solidarity may crumble if Sweden's center-right government  loses in this fall's election to the formidable "red-green" coalition, two of whose members gave called for a pullout. Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, of the Moderates, wants Swedes instead to prepare for long years of continued engagement.  Yesterday in Kabul he told Svenska Dagbladet: "I find it difficult to set an end date for the Swedish effort, but in five years we'll definitely still be here in some form."