UNITED NATIONS  Kai Eide, the departing United Nations envoy to Afghanistan, warned the Security Council on Wednesday that an emphasis on security matters over social issues would doom international efforts to stabilize the country.

“The political strategy is too often shaped as an appendix to military thinking,” Mr. Eide said.

Although Mr. Eide, a Norwegian, did not mention the United States by name, his comments appeared to be an oblique criticism of the recent American-led focus on a military surge, with the Obama administration committing another 30,000 troops there and some allies increasing their forces as well.

Rosemary A. DiCarlo, the American envoy addressing the Security Council, noted that the United States planned to triple the number of civilians sent to help with reconstruction and economic and agricultural development; the number will grow to 1,000 experts from 320 now.

But Mr. Eide said the growing impatience among the countries contributing troops and aid, the frustration of Afghans that so many promises had gone unmet and the Taliban resurgence had the potential to bring chaos.