Downing Street condemns Hegseth’s remarks on Nato’s Afghanistan role
Downing Street has criticised US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for suggesting that only a handful of Nato countries took part in combat operations in Afghanistan. The government said his remarks wrongly diminished the sacrifices made by British and allied forces, whose service supported collective security after the 11 September attacks.
Hegseth said that although around 50 countries contributed to the mission, perhaps five were involved in the fighting, falling to one or two by the end; he also joked that ISAF meant “I Saw Americans Fighting”. More than 450 British personnel died in Afghanistan, while a note on the circulating footage cited over 1,100 non-American soldiers from 31 allied countries killed, about a third of combat deaths. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski pointed to 44 Polish soldiers who died in Ghazni.
- Downing Street condemned Hegseth’s remarks about allied forces in Afghanistan.
- More than 450 British personnel died during the campaign.
- Allies say their sacrifices should not be overlooked.
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After the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States, Nato invoked its collective-defence clause for the first time, and an international force was sent to Afghanistan. The mission aimed to prevent the country being used as a base for further attacks and later included efforts to support the Afghan government.
The force, known as ISAF, brought together troops from dozens of countries, including the United States, Britain and Poland. Their roles varied, but many served in dangerous areas; the deaths of hundreds of British personnel and soldiers from other allied countries show the human cost of the mission.
The dispute touches on how Nato allies share the risks and responsibilities of collective security. Their contributions and losses remain relevant to relations between the United States and its European allies.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Downing Street and allied governments can argue that Hegseth’s remarks understate the real combat role and human cost borne by Nato partners, including the hundreds of British and Polish personnel who died. Recognising those sacrifices matters to the families affected and to the principle that collective security depends on allies being treated as genuine contributors.
The case against
Hegseth’s defenders could argue that he was making a narrower point about which countries carried most of the fighting, rather than claiming that other allies made no contribution or sacrifice. With many countries involved in different roles, they may see blunt criticism of the alliance’s burden-sharing as a legitimate way to press for a more accurate account of operational responsibility.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “‘More than 450 Brits never returned’: No10 rebukes US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for mocking contribution of allied troops in Afghanistan”.