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In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the president wrote: “In accordance with section 517 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (22 USC 2321k), I give notice of my intention to designate Afghanistan as a Major Non-NATO -ally.”
In 2012, the United States named Afghanistan a major non-NATO ally, paving the way for the two countries to maintain a defensive and economic relationship. Then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the appointment during a visit to Kabul.
Unlike United States NATO allies, which are linked by a joint defense pact, there is no mutual defense guarantee as a non-NATO ally. These allies are eligible to receive material and supply loans, and also serve as a location for US-owned stockpiles of war reserves. In addition, private companies from the designated country can bid for contracts for the maintenance, repair or overhaul of US military equipment abroad.
Its ally status made Afghanistan eligible for military training and assistance, including expediting the sale and leasing of military equipment, even after NATO troops had left the country.
With Afghanistan’s status revoked, the US will have 18 key non-NATO allies, according to the State Department. These are: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand and Tunisia.
The US designated Colombia and Qatar as non-NATO allies earlier this year.
The change in Afghanistan’s status follows Biden’s withdrawal of US troops from the country last year, ending nearly 20 years of war.
Afghanistan quickly fell back into the hands of the Taliban, who have repeatedly assured the international community that they will protect the rights of women and girls while depriving them of many of their freedoms and protections.
This story has been updated with additional details.
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