At the Netherlands’ military base in the Afghan province of Uruzgan, Obama’s troops are often at odds with the Dutch way of doing things. While the Dutch foreign minister is eager to maintain a military presence in Afghanistan, in the interests of transatlantic harmony, the United States is pursuing an entirely different strategy in the combat zone. One that threatens to undermine Dutch efforts.

There is a considerable gulf between the niceties of diplomacy and the harsh reality of the frontline. Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen is keen to support Barack Obama’s Afghanistan policy, praising his plans for the country time and time again. The US president is more than happy to return the favour.

But out in Uruzgan, Obama’s men – the soldiers and the diplomats – are regularly at odds with the Dutch. How should the situation in Uruzgan be tackled? This question prompts very different answers on both sides. And these differences will leave their mark on the remote Afghan province in the event of an imminent Dutch pull-out.

Sworn to secrecy
The Americans I talked to in Afghanistan are not allowed to talk to the press. “We’ll track you down in Amsterdam,” say some in an ominous tone, concerned that their identity might be revealed. Those I interviewed are engaged in setting out the strategy of the mission in Uruzgan. In exchange for assurances of confidentiality, they took plenty of time to voice their views on the disparity between the US and the Dutch campaigns.

Initially it seemed that US troops would focus on their own mission in Uruzgan, working in isolation. Between 170 and 200 members of the Special Forces were operating under the flag of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Dutch parliament prohibited its forces from working with these fighters, so as not to compromise the Netherlands’ reconstruction efforts. But these days the Americans are exerting an increasing influence on Uruzgan’s affairs, political as well as military.

More children waving
A current example of an approach that is leading to disputes with the Dutch is the US support for two warlords in Uruzgan. The Netherlands sees these men – Jan Mohammed and Mathiullah Khan – as “spoilers” since they have been behind some gruesome hostilities. But the US sees them as powerful figures who can protect their convoys. “We just don’t get the Dutch. Take Mathiullah Khan – he’s becoming more progressive. He can do a lot and do it quickly.”

My sources dismiss as mere propaganda accusations of US troops regularly kicking down doors and arresting people. “There are more children waving to our men than to the Dutch. They don’t dare leave their base,”  one source told me.

At the White House, President Obama was full of praise for the Dutch prime minister for the Netherlands’ exceptional military capacities and insight into local culture and politics. But the US sources I spoke to were scornful of such efforts. The Dutch claim that they brought safety to the still perilous Baluchi Valley by talking with all kinds of local leaders simply doesn’t go down well with the US forces. “That tribal stuff is the long way round. You need to win people over with power and money.”

Two bosses
The Netherlands has worked on an increasingly diplomatic approach in Uruzgan, reflecting the conviction of its senior officers that the “softly approach” is the only one that works. That is why, for the past six months, the Dutch military base at Camp Holland has been under the leadership of both a military commander and a diplomat (see Michel Rentenaar’s web log for further info). With the Netherlands ready to hand over command in August and the Americans set to remain in Afghanistan for another year, this set-up will fall by the wayside.

“It’s no good having two bosses. It just leads to disagreement. Command will revert to the military,” I was told.

Staff at the Dutch Ministry of Defence expect the drive towards good governance to be the first thing to collapse if there is a Dutch pull-out in August. The Americans do not know as much about the local structure and are more geared towards the military aspects.

Realistic answer
The Americans I interviewed do not see their task in Uruzgan in those terms. “We too put a lot of effort into construction work: building bridges and treating people in our hospital.” Their answer when asked how much attention Uruzgan will receive after a possible Dutch withdrawal is a realistic one. The Americans don’t see Uruzgan as the centre of the universe, they concede. The US focus is primarily on the provinces of Kandahar and Helmand.