NATO force needs aid, report says

The NATO force in Afghanistan does not have enough troops or equipment to secure advances made against Taliban insurgents and to guarantee a successful end to its mission, a lawmakers’ report concludes.

The findings of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, which draws legislators from the 26 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and 16 other countries, echoes recent complaints by NATO commanders that troop shortages are hampering operations and come as some allies face domestic pressure to pull troops out.

The report does not say how many troops should be added to the 50,000 currently under NATO and U.S. command. The most pressing needs include helicopters, intelligence and reconnaissance assets and trainers to build up the Afghan security forces, the report says.