Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The answer to that is clearly no. I have explained to the Senate that, as a result of The Innocence of Muslims video plus the recent insider attacks, ISAF—the commanders in the field, the operational leadership—have made a decision about how they will handle the situation and they have sought to review force protection and tactical activities. There is still close cooperation with Afghan forces. The level at which that cooperation takes place has risen, as I understand it, and they are now focusing on the kandak commanders and their staff, while the Afghan company level units within the kandak conduct operations such as patrolling and managing checkpoints and outposts. But I do make the point that this is a temporary operational decision being applied and it does not undermine the essential mission.