With Resolution 1386 (2001) of December 20, 2001, the U.N. Security Council authorized the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to assist with the maintenance of security in Kabul and the surrounding areas. Two days later, on December 22, 2001, the Bundestag authorized the initial participation of up to 1,200 Bundeswehr soldiers in the ISAF force. Over the years, the upper limit on personnel was increased to 4,500 (2009). The Bundeswehr’s guiding principle in its Afghan deployment is “networked security,” meaning the linking of military/police security with civil reconstruction. This photo Bundeswehr soldiers on patrol in Kabul on August 4, 2003.