The Greek 122-strong contingent in Afghanistan is facing redeployment, a prospect likely to place troops in the firing line and trigger controversy at home.

The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has proposed that the Greek construction battalion (TESAF),  currently based in the relatively trouble-free northwestern province of Herat, be transferred to Farah, a troubled province beset by fighting, IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and suicide attacks.

Kathimerini reported that the decision to relocate the Greek detachment was not approved by the Greek ministry of defence, nor is it likely to prove popular at home. Apparently, the "concept of a transfer" was "approved by the former Nea Demokratia government" but that was no longer the case with the current Pasok-led government.

The Greek detachment is operating in a zone commanded by Italian troops. Italians have argued that there is no more construction work left to be done, so the Greek forces were needed in Farah. In the event that the Greeks are redeployed, reinforcements may be sent.   The number of Greek troops in the war-torn country would then total142, the report says.

Bulgaria has 610-strong battalion in Afghanistan. Its main task is securing the airport of the southern Afghan town of Kandahar and military installations in the capital Kabul. The southern city of Kandahar is a Taliban stronghold and terrorist attacks in the region are commonplace. This is where the Bulgarian forces have deployed a mechanised infantry battalion.

Bulgaria’s Defence Minister Nikolay Mladenov said that "Afghanistan is Bulgaria’s largest military mission, costing taxpayers about 90 million leva each year". This sum is likely to cost even more if Mladenov "delivers on a recent promise to increase his nation’s troop contingent in Afghanistan," Mediamonitors.net reported on October 29 2009.

Washington has urged Nato partners to send more soldiers to Afghanistan. Forces, both domestic and international, have struggled to contain Taliban attacks and suicide bombs of late. World media has reported that the Americans back a surge of about 40 000 or more troops, but so far this as met with little enthusiasm from other countries. Only the United Kingdom has confirmed a reinforcement of about 500 troops, making their contingent 9500 strong. The Americans, on the other hand, have 68 000 troops. The US and UK have requested that other countries, France, Germany and Italy in particular, commit more men to the front line.

Deploying another 40 000 troops is strongly advocated by the top US military commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, who is in overall command of both the US troops and Isaf operations. The general has argued that this "new strategy" is crucial in order for the Alliance to accomplish both a "short-term" and a "long-term" victory in the region.