NATO’s adaptation to U.S. pressure for a broader military-civilian conflation was protracted due to Franco-German resistance. The transition to Afghan self-reliance was obviously less controversial but nevertheless witnessed hegemonic bargaining about hard security contributions as part of the wider U.S. demand of the European allies to pay their fair NATO share. Political patronage and corruption perpetuate Afghanistan’s inability to stand militarily and economically on its own while the draw in the fight against the Taliban gives best hopes for a breakthrough in the peace negotiations.