Why was NATO involved in Afghanistan?

NATO's involvement in Afghanistan primarily stemmed from the invocation of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all. Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, NATO members recognized these events as a significant threat to collective security. In response, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time in its history, which facilitated the establishment of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The aim was to combat terrorism, dismantle al-Qaeda, and help stabilize Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Taliban regime, which had provided a safe haven for terrorists.

While promoting economic stability and engaging in trade may have been goals of NATO's broader strategy, the immediate and foundational reason for their military presence in Afghanistan was the collective defense commitment triggered by the events of 9/11. The notion of preventing the spread of democracy, though a strategic consideration, was not a primary rationale for the NATO intervention. Instead, it was focused on addressing security threats directly linked to terrorism and ensuring a cooperative international response.