National caveats, restrictions set by the United States which dictate the way in which their forces can be used, are causing a series of difficulties in Afghanistan. The caveats limit the operational flexibility of international forces, imposing restrictions in all areas : for combat operations, including those carried out conjunctly with the Afghan army, as well as in the fight against narcotraffic. However, caveats can by no means be held solely responsible for the current military deadlock.