Eurasia Press & News
The war-torn state was an important proving ground for Balkan militaries for almost 20 years – but it came at a considerable expense, and that money can now be usefully redirected.
After the United States and NATO earlier this year finally ended the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, Balkan NATO allies Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania have in consequence withdrawn their troops.
The final pull-out, now almost complete, is a significant marker for these countries, which in large part proved their armies’ worth to NATO allies there, besides accumulating invaluable first-hand experience through missions that lasted for two decades.
While participating in Afghanistan missions was seen as important for the governments of these countries, it came with a price.
