LONDON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Cracks are showing in the NATO alliance's campaign in Afghanistan, just as a new U.S. president has vowed to beef up efforts there, a think tank says.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies, in a report released in London Tuesday, warned the lack of what it called a "unified approach" by NATO in Afghanistan is undermining its efforts to defeat the country's Taliban insurgency.
In the report, entitled The Military Balance 2009, IISS Director General John Chipman said: "The western intervention in Afghanistan is faltering and a robust diplomatic strategy involving tribal outreach and a more coordinated international approach is vital to success."
He added NATO leadership also needed to develop better relations with Russia to enhance its chances in Afghanistan, as well as reaching out to "other Central Asian states in the task to bring political stability to the country."
The IISS report warned upcoming Afghan elections are due to take place this year amid rising violence and with a government that is unable to exert its authority in the provinces.
"The integrity of the whole international mission in Afghanistan is therefore very substantially at stake," Chipman said.
