In the aftermath of September 11 and the U.S.-led operations against terrorist forces in Afghanistan, the United Nations Security Council authorized establishment of a 5,000-strong “coalition of the willing,” the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), to help the Afghan Interim Authority create a secure environment in Kabul, the country’s capital. Originally British-led and mandated through 20 June 2002, ISAF was extended in May by the Security Council for another six months, with Turkey assuming the role of lead nation.