A number of other resolutions were passed during this period with the effect of continuing the status quo of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Resolutions 1536 and 1589), expanding the geographical reach of ISAF (Reso- lutions 1563 and 1623) and prolonging the international presence in Iraq (Resolutions 1538, 1546, 1619 and 1637). Here, Resolution 1623 is especially worth noting, as it articulates a particularly strong view of the desirable end-state of intervention in Afghanistan. It stresses: [T]he importance of extending central government authority to all parts of Afghanistan, of respect for democratic values, of/n// completion of the dis- armament, demobilization and reintegration process, of the disbandment of illegal armed groups, of justice sector reform, of security sector reform including reconstitution of the Afghan National Army and Police, and of combating narcotics trade and production. During the same period, the Security Council also passed a number of resolutions condemning acts of terrorism (Resolutions 1526, 1530, 1535, 1566, 1617, 1618 and 1624) and set up a new Peacekeeping Commission (Resolution 1645); together, thèse steps contributed to maintaining the high profile of the issue of terrorism and reinforcing the premise that the ‘war on terror’ was necessary.

A number of other resolutions were passed during this period with the effect of continuing the status quo of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Resolutions 1536 and 1589), expanding the geographical reach of ISAF (Reso- lutions 1563 and 1623) and prolonging the international presence in Iraq (Resolutions 1538, 1546, 1619 and 1637). Here, Resolution 1623 is especially worth noting, as it articulates a particularly strong view of the desirable end-state of intervention in Afghanistan. It stresses: [T]he importance of extending central government authority to all parts of Afghanistan, of respect for democratic values, of/n// completion of the dis- armament, demobilization and reintegration process, of the disbandment of illegal armed groups, of justice sector reform, of security sector reform including reconstitution of the Afghan National Army and Police, and of combating narcotics trade and production. During the same period, the Security Council also passed a number of resolutions condemning acts of terrorism (Resolutions 1526, 1530, 1535, 1566, 1617, 1618 and 1624) and set up a new Peacekeeping Commission (Resolution 1645); together, thèse steps contributed to maintaining the high profile of the issue of terrorism and reinforcing the premise that the ‘war on terror’ was necessary.