Afghan War Blog

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Movies and Videos about Afghanistan

Afghan Air Force A-29 Take-off and Landing, DVIDS, December 4, 2017, (3 mins).
www.dvidshub.net/video/570408/afghan-air-force-29

Airstrikes on Taliban Narcotics Facilities, CENTCOM, Dec 7, 2017.
www.dvidshub.net/video/571359/us-navy-f-18-super-hornets . . .

Doubling the Afghan Commando Force, Resolute Support HQs, December 6, 2017.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX_Dkxu2SKk

View a list of videos about Afghanistan.

Afghan War News Snippets

Gender-Based Violence. In Afghanistan gender-based violence is pervasive but activists see a change in the wind. Read more by Tadamichi Yamamoto - "In Afghanistan, a Struggle to Leave No Woman or Child Behind", The Diplomat, December 4, 2017.

Glossary of Humanitarian Security Terms. The Humanitarian Security Forum has published an online reference point for terminology in conflict zones.
https://www.hsforum.org/glossary.html

Stay Informed about the Conflict in Afghanistan

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Sunday, December 3, 2017

Afghan War Blog Weekly Newsletter - December 3, 2017

Welcome to the Afghan War Blog Weekly Newsletter. Articles are posted online on the blog and sent out via email newsletter on Sunday morning. We welcome comments, ideas for stories, contributions, and guest writers! Visit our website at www.afghanwarnews.info, follow us on Twitter at @AfghanWarBlog, and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/afghan-war-news.

Train, Advise, Assist, Accompany, and Enable (TA3E) Mission Update

Photo - A member of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) takes part in a training exercise at Fort Benning, Georgia in preparation for a deployment to Afghanistan. (Photo by SPC Noelle E. Wiehe, 50th Public Affairs Detachment, October 23, 2017).

'Guardian Angels' from Australia. A member of the Royal Australian Regiment describes his job protecting advisors for the Afghan Air Force (AAF) in a post by the Australian Department of Defense, November 22, 2017.

Mentors at 'Sandhurst'. The ANA Officer Academy (ANA-)A) is located just outside Kabul. A British Army officer describes his job in this one-minute long video entitled "Mentoring at the Afghan Officers Academy", Resolute Support YouTube.com, November 24, 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkzxc0vpfo0

Bacha Bazi. Two reports were completed in 2017 about the sexual exploitation of young boys by officers of the Afghan police and army by two investigative services of the U.S. government. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) completed one in mid-2017 but the Defense Department 'classified' the report. The Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG) also conducted an investigation and published its report - this one unclassified. The Washington Post reports that the DoD IG's report was a watered-down version of the SIGAR report and less damaging to the Dod. Bacha Bazi - 'playing with boys' - is a fact of life in Afghanistan and more common than some realize. U.S. advisors with Afghan police and army units - especially at the lower levels of command - were confronted with the practice of Bachi Bazi - and put into a dilemma of how to navigate through the situation.

"Pentagon tried to block independent report on child sex among Afghan forces, Senate office says", The Washington Post, November 26, 2017.

Implementation of the DoD Leahy Law Regarding Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse by Members of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, DoD IG, November 16, 2017.

TAAC-Air Trains Up Afghan UH-60 Pilots. The first six Afghan Air Force (AAF) pilots graduated from the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter transition program. The Train, Advise, and Assist Command - Air (TAAC Air) advisors trained up the newly-qualified pilots in a course that was completed in late November. See "First Afghan UH-60 pilots graduate", DVIDS, November 20, 2017.

Air Campaign in Afghanistan a "Game Changer"?

455th AEW Plays Key Role. The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing has been playing a key role in the combined operations against Taliban revenue streams in Helmand province. A large offensive mounted by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces was enabled by air support from the U.S. to interdict and destroy drug processing laboratories and associated targets. Read "455th AEW plays key role in new Taliban offensive", DVIDS, November 24, 2017.

Air Assets Shift to Afghanistan. With the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria winding down the U.S. is shifting air power to support combat operations in Afghanistan. Read "War in Afghanistan Heats Up as Fight Against ISIS Winds Down", DoD Buzz, November 27, 2017.

Air Power in Afghanistan Increases. Airstrikes in Afghanistan are at their highest since 2010. Over 600 airstrikes took place in October 2017. The last time the numbers were this high was in November 2010 with 866 airstrikes. "US Aircraft Return to Surge-Level Operations in Afghanistan", Air Force Magazine, November 21, 2017.

Air Campaign Considered Key Approach. The U.S. is banking a lot on the use of it's air power to stem the tide of the Taliban insurgency. The new approach with looser rules of engagement is considered a 'game changer'. Read "New air campaign in Afghanistan is test for Trump strategy in America's longest war", USA Today, December 1, 2017.

$50 Million of Narcotics Destroyed in Airstrikes? General Nicholson, RS Cdr, claims that the combined ground operations and airstrikes in Helmand province destroyed over $50 million in narcotics. He claims the drug trade is the Taliban's 'financial engine'. Narcotics production doubled in 2017. (VOA, Dec 2, 2017).

AMW Graduates More Crew Members. The Afghan Special Mission Wing (SMW) has more qualified crew members for its PC-12 and Mi-17 helicopters. (DVIDS, Nov 25, 2017).

Commentary on Afghanistan

"The Nation State and Afghanistan". Paolo Cotta Ramusino, a professor at the University of Milan (Italy) presented the contents of this article at the Herat Security Dialogue held in October 2017 in Herat, Afghanistan. Italy, of course, is the lead framework nation for the Train, Advise, and Assist Command - West (TAAC West). Read "The Nation State and Afghanistan", Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies, November 20, 2017.

"Turning the Corner". For years U.S. commanders in Afghanistan have used the phrases very similar to 'turning the corner' to describe how things are getting better in Afghanistan. And each year we found out that the corner is still some distance away. Read more in an essay by Paul McLeary entitled "U.S. Has 'Turned the Corner' in Afghanistan, Top General Says", Foreign Policy, November 28, 2017.

"The Great Game" Revisited. Shifting regional alliances, a change in Afghan governmental policy, Iran making up with the Taliban, and other factors have influenced the conflict in Afghanistan. The world and regional powers are still meddling in the affairs of Afghanistan. Read more in "World powers jostle in Afghanistan's new 'Great Game'", BBC News, January 12, 2017. (Old news, but still valid).

A Stalemate? One writer examines the conflict in Afghanistan and predicts that the ANDSF and Taliban will ramp up operations in the years ahead to break the stalemate. The Taliban will attempt to seize urban terrain while the ANDSF will conduct major operations to regain key territory in the countryside. But neither is likely to win. Read "The Battle for Advantage in Afghanistan", STRATFOR Worldview, November 29, 2017.

Pakistan - Key to Resolving the Conflict. Harsha Kakar, of the Observer Research Foundation (India), writes on the importance of Pakistan ceasing support to the Haqqani Network and the Afghan Taliban. "US Afghan Success Lies in Forcing Pakistan to Act Against Terrorists", Eurasia Review, December 2, 2017.

India, Afghanistan, and . . . the Taliban. Does India have a role in the Afghan conflict? To an extent it does . . . but in what form of participation? Can it contribute to an Afghan political reconciliation? Kabir Taneja, an Associate Fellow with the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, provides his thoughts in "India and the Afghan Taliban", The Diplomat, November 30, 2017.

NATO Stuck in Europe? A selection of experts weigh in on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. Read "Is NATO Stuck in Afghanistan?", Carnegie Europe, November 15, 2017.

Gender Equality for ANDSF - A Wasted Effort. A lot of time, money, and effort has gone into implementing gender equality into the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. However, the targeted numbers have never been attained and the reality on the ground for those females in the security forces is far from perfect. Read more in "The Dangers of Forcing Gender Equality in Afghanistan", The New York Times, November 21, 2017.

Afghanistan affects Maritime Security. M. Ashraf Haidari, the director-general of policy and strategy for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, provides a framework for understanding how a land-locked country like Afghanistan can affect the greater security and stability of the maritime environment in the Indian Ocean region. Read "Afghanistan's Stabilization Can Ensure Maritime Security", The National Interest, November 19, 2017.

Afghan SOF Conducting Key Operations and Training

ASSF Seize 1,000 lbs of Explosives. According to a NATO Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan (NSOCC-A) Afghan Special Security Forces seized over 1,000 pounds of homemade explosives during night raids in Kandahar and Helmand provinces in late November. (DVIDS, November 30, 2017).

ASSF Leads in Fight Against Insurgents. The Afghan special operations forces of the MoI and MoD are the bright spot in the Afghan campaign against the Taliban and other insurgent / terrorist groups. Read "Kabul Pins Its Hopes on Afghan Special Forces in Fight Against Insurgents", Gandhara Blog, November 27, 2017.

NMU's Graduate New Members. The Afghan National Mission Units (NMU) of the General Command of Police Special Units (GCPSU) has increased its membership with the graduation of almost 50 new operators from an 8-week specialized police course recently held in Logar province. (DVIDS, November 27, 2017).

ASSF to Double. The Afghan government plans to increase the size of the Afghan special operations units of the MoI and MoD over the next few years. According to President Ghani Afghan Commandos conduct operations throughout Afghanistan and have never lost a battle. (Khaama Press, Dec 1, 2017).

Afghan SMW Graduates More Crew Members. The Afghan Special Mission Wing (SMW) has more qualified crew members for its PC-12 and Mi-17 helicopters. (DVIDS, Nov 25, 2017).

Afghan Governance and Politics News

Mohaqiq Commends Fatimiyun Fighters. Iran has forced or induced Shia Afghans to fight in its Fatimiyun Brigade on behalf of the Syrian regime. Mohammad Mohaqiq, the deputy chief executive of Afghanistan, visited Tehran where he praised the Shia fighters in their 'victory' in Syria. See "Mohaqiq Commends Fatimiyun Fighters for Victory in Syria", Tolo News, November 25, 2017.

Gov Noor Travel Plans Disrupted. A flight to Kandahar by Ata Mohammad Noor and Batur Dostum (son of VP) were cancelled by aviation authorities. Noor has complained about government interference but . . . (Khaama Press, Dec 2, 2017).

Accusations Abound. President Ghani has answered some critics who claim that senior security officials in the Afghan government have ties to ISIS. Read "Ghani Slams Claims of Senior Officials' Links to Daesh", Tolo News, December 2, 2017.

12 Cabinet Nominees. MPs are due to hold a vote of confidence session for 12 new cabinet nominees submitted by the National Unity Government (NUG). (Tolo News, Nov 25, 2017).

Parliamentary Elections. Elections for parliament (and districts) are scheduled for July 2018 in Afghanistan. However many observers are calling for a study of the underlying structure of the electoral system and the system of electoral representation. Read more in "Afghan Parliamentary Elections: Huffing and Puffing, But Missing the Bigger Picture", The Diplomat, November 28, 2017.

Hezb-e Islami - Internal Differences. A former insurgent group that has been 'rehabilitated' and reintegrated into Afghan society and political life is suffering some internal friction. Read more in Thomas Ruttig's analysis in "A Matter of Registration: Factional tensions in Hezb-e Islami", Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN), November 25, 2017.

Afghan Security News - Dec 3, 2017

Photo Credit: Shoulder patch of the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Herat province, Afghanistan. The training center was established so Afghan forces could practice advanced mountain warfare techniques and urban combat skills. The advanced training was developed by the Italian Alpine Troop, or Alpini (considered some of the best mountain warfare troops in the world). Photo from Resolute Support video published on November 27, 2017.

'Path to Win' in Afghanistan. The commander of Resolute Support, General John Nicholson, says that the new South Asia strategy and relaxed rules of engagement are providing a "path to a win" in Afghanistan. He states that the conditions-based (not time-based) strategy is the right approach. Read more in "South Asia Strategy Provides 'Path to Win' in Afghanistan, Commander Says", Department of Defense, November 28, 2017.

Females Graduate from Defense University. Over 300 officers graduated from the Marshal Fahim Defense University recently. 26 of them were female officers. Read "Female Officers Vow to Serve The Country", Tolo News, November 24, 2017.

Operation Maiwand 8 Concludes. The Afghan security forces successfully conducted a resupply mission over the course of November 18-21 to provide food,water, blankets, mattresses, and winter uniforms to security forces based in Marjah district. The operation, spanning days, involved numerous units across the spectrum of the ANDSF that delivered needed supplies for the district center to remained provisioned through the coming winter months. Read a glowing report on the effort in "Winter no longer a barrier to ANDSF operations in Maiwand", Resolute Support, December 2, 2017.

ASSF Seize 1,000 lbs of Explosives. According to a NATO Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan (NSOCC-A) Afghan Special Security Forces seized over 1,000 pounds of homemade explosives during night raids in Kandahar and Helmand provinces in late November. (DVIDS, November 30, 2017).

ISIS Deputy Joins Taliban. The Afghan Taliban claims that the deputy head of the Islamic State - Khorsan Province has parted ways with IS-KP and is now with the Taliban. (VOA, Nov 30, 2017).

ISIS in Jawzjan Province. The Islamic State seems to be gaining a foothold in northern Afghanistan. Read "Islamic State seizes new Afghan foothold after luring Taliban defectors", Reuters, December 1, 2017.

Pakistan and the Haqqani Network. General Nicholson has once again spoken out about Pakistan's support for the terrorist group operating from within Pakistan's borders. He says there is no change to the help provided by the Pakistani spy agency. Read "Haqqani Network Remains Primary Source of Pakistan - US Tensions", Voice of America, November 27, 2017.

Three Georgian Soldiers Wounded. Members of a Georgian patrol were wounded when their vehicle was attacked by a motorcycle-borne IED outside of a military base in Kabul. (Bagram). (Reuters, Nov 23, 2017).

2018 a Pivotal Year. Paul D. Shinkman, a senior national security writer for U.S. News & World Report has provide us the reasons why 2018 is important to Afghanistan in "Victory or Failure in Afghanistan: 2018 Will Be the Deciding Year", November 27, 2018.

'Eating Their Own'. Fifteen members of the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (IS-KP) lost their heads in a recent spate of infighting in the eastern province of Nangarhar. The killings took place in the Surkh Ab bazaar of Achin district. Read "Islamic State beheads 15 of its own fighters: Afghan official", Reuters, November 23, 2017.

Videos and Movies about Afghanistan

Mentoring at the Afghan Officers Academy, Resolute Support YouTube.com, November 24, 2017. A British Army officer describes his job ANA Officer Academy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkzxc0vpfo0

Ghani at Heart of Asia Conference, ARG1880, YouTube.com, December 1, 2017. President Ghani presented remarks at the 7th Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZZeClE9bbI

A Letter to the President. Mujib Mashal reviews a new movie that has been submitted to the Oscars as Afghanistan's candidate for best foreign language film. Read his review: "In Her Film About Afghan Life, the Woman Slaps Back", The New York Times, November 26, 2017.

Commando Force 333: Undefeated, Resolute Support, December 1, 2017. General Nicholson, commander of RS, speaks to members of Commando Force 333 after seeing them demonstrate their capabilities.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXeYRUuivhg

Herat Mountain Warfare Graduation, Resolute Support YouTube.com, November 27, 2017. This short video highlights the establishment of a Mountain Warfare Training Center in Herat province with assistance from the Italian Alpini - considered some of the best mountain troops in the world. The advanced training center was developed to help Afghan security forces practice advanced mountain warfare techniques and urban combat skills.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=elD1fx08lhY

The Breadwinner. An article about a movie now released about a young Afghan girl who disguises herself as a boy to make money for her family. (The Chronicle Herald, November 23, 2017).

Afghan War News Snippets - Dec 3, 2017

MUDH and Corruption. The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing (MUDH) appears to be making some gains in decreasing corruption within the ministry at the national and provincial level. Aziz Amin Ahmadzai, a Chevening Scholar, writes on this topic in "Targeting Systematic Corruption through Urban Planning and Administrative Reform: Minister Naderi's Story", Eurasia Review, November 25, 2017.

Humanitarian Needs Summary for Afghanistan. Humanitarian Response - a specialized digital service of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has provided a report on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Read "Humanitarian Needs Summary", December 1, 2017.

SIGAR Report - Unused NII at Border Crossings. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has published a report (Nov 2017) about millions of dollars of unused non-intrusive inspection equipment sitting at Afghan border crossings.

Solar Power Plant to be Built. Afghanistan's first 20-megawatt solar power plant will be built in Kabul with funds provided by the Asian Development Bank. See "Afghan Solar Plant Wins Development Bank Backing", Bloomberg News, November 26, 2017.

Banking in Afghanistan. An interesting article (very short) on banking in Afghanistan. Bank pays no interest on deposits, lends very little, but is a popular way to safeguard money. Read "How to survive as a bank in Afghanistan", The Economist, November 23, 2017.

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Sunday, November 26, 2017

Afghan War Blog Weekly Newsletter - November 26, 2017

Train, Advise, Assist, Accompany, and Enable (TA3E)

Photo: ANA Soldiers from the 215th Corps conduct CASEVAC training at the Helmand Regional Military Training Center (RMTC) on Camp Shorabak. (Photo by SGT Lucas Hopkins, RS HQs, November 19, 2017).

40th ID to head TAAC South. The California's Army National Guard 40th Infantry Division (Mech) will form the core of the hqs and staff of Train, Advise, and Assist Command - South (TAAC South). In November elements of the 40th ID participated in a training event at Hohenfels, Germany to prepare for the deployment. (DVIDS, Nov 18, 2017).

TAAC South Checks Out CASEVAC Training at 215th Corps. Advisors with Train, Advise, and Assist Command - South visited Helmand province to observe CASEVAC training with the Afghans at the 215th Corps that took place at the Helmand Regional Military Training Center (RMTC). (DVIDS, Nov 19, 2017).

Canada and Afghanistan. The CEO of Afghanistan, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, recently conducted a tour of North America. During his visit he expounded upon the need continued support by the international community for Afghanistan. Abdullah met on the sidelines of the Halifax Forum to ask Canada's Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan for more help in military training. See "Afghanistan looks to Canada for more training support", CBC News, November 19, 2017.

Intel Analysts Ready for Afghan SFAB Deployment. Intelligence Analysts (35F) play a critical role in determining the enemy's capabilities, vulnerabilities, and probably courses of action. Most Intel Analysts work at a desk behind a computer. For a 35F with a Security Force Assistance Brigade the job will most likely take him 'outside the wire' as a member of combat advisory teams. The 1st SFAB will soon deploy to Afghanistan in early 2018. Read "Outside the Wire: Intel Analysts in Army's 1st SFAB get career-building opportunity", DVIDS, November 7, 2017.

The Colors of U.S. Army's Beret. The formation of the SFABs got very contentious with the plans to issue a beret with a shade of green close to the famed Green Beret of the U.S. Army Special Forces. The Army quickly announced a change of plans - it would issue a beret with a shade of brown. Read more about the color of berets in "Earning it: A complete history of Army berets and who's allowed to wear them", by Meghann Myers, Military Times, November 20, 2017.

More SFAB. Read more news stories and articles about the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade.

Hitting the Drug Labs in Helmand

The Afghan security forces launched a major offensive against drug traffickers and their opium refining laboratories this past week. The large-scale operation appears to have started on Monday, November 20th. It involved the U.S. as well - especially in the form of air strikes. The reasoning behind hitting the drug labs was to target the revenue streams of insurgents.

Airstrikes. In a press conference held on Tuesday by General Nicholson it was revealed that various types of aircraft were used to include B-52 bombers and F-22 Raptors. In addition, the Afghan Air Force (AAF) participated with air strikes utilizing their A-29 Super Tucanos. The airstrikes targeted production facilities rather than poppy farmers. Three of the strikes were in Kajaki district, four in Musa Qalah district, and one in Sangin district. The new U.S. authorities in Afghanistan provided by the Trump administration has allowed the U.S. to increase the number of airstrikes as well as widen the situations in which airstrikes can be employed. The B-52s and F-22s likely flew from air bases in the Middle East (UAE?).

ISR Assets. Nicholson also reported that a large number of ISR assets (drones) were used to develop targeting data. Some of the airstrikes were weeks in the planning phase.

Opium Production is Up. The production of opium has increased in Afghanistan by 87%. This figure is being reported by the Afghan Ministry of Counternarcotics and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the latest Afghanistan Opium Survey.

Read more in "U.S., Afghan Forces Target Taliban Drug Labs, Hit 'Where it Hurts'", DoD Media Activity, November 20, 2017.

See also "Afghanistan's opium production is through the roof - why Washington shouldn't overreact", by Vanda-Felbab-Brown, Brookings Institute, November 21, 2017.

Commentary on Afghanistan

Afghan Governance News

Elections and Female Participation. A symposium, backed by the United Nations, was held in Mazar-e-Sharif to discuss ways to improve women's participation in elections - as both voters and as candidates. There are plenty of laws on the books in Afghanistan providing for the rights of Afghan women to vote and to run as candidates for office. What is lacking is the generating of public awareness and the implementation of the laws. With the upcoming elections to be held in 2017 and 2018 various activist groups are working to increase female participation in the electoral process. Read more in an article posted by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), November 21, 2017.

Pence and Abdullah Meeting. National Unity Government (NUG) Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah held a meeting with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence at the White House on Friday, November 17th. (Tolo News, Nov 18, 2017). Dr. Abdullah also spent some time in Canada where he addressed the Halifax Security Forum. (Tolo News, Nov 18, 2017).

Vice-President Dostum - Returns (Again). Every week news reports state that Dostum will make his return to Afghanistan after "receiving medical treatment in Turkey". And every week he is a no show. (Tolo News, Nov 18, 2017).

2014 Election Fraud Revealed. The former National Directorate of Security (NDS) Rahmatullah Nabil claimed the printing equipment for fake ballots for the 2014 election was found in the homes of people who are currently high-ranking members of the National Unity Government (NUG). (Tolo News, Nov 21, 2017).

Identity Documents. Most Afghans carry a handwritten ID card called a Tazkara; however, as many as one third of the country's population have no identity documents at all. The Afghan Population Registration Department is in the process to distribute handwritten identity cards to those without. Eventually, the office plans to issue electronic ID cards to the recipients of the current handwritten ID cards. Read "One in Three Afghans Lack Identity Documents", Gandhara Blog, November 16, 2017.

Ethnic Bias in Afghan Govt? A leaked memo from the Department of Public Order of the Ministry of Interior that stated recruits for a new anti-riot force should come from the Hazara, Uzbek, and Pashtuns - but not the Tajiks. Naturally, this has caused some concerns in Kabul. (Radio Free Europe, Nov 20, 2017).

UN Resolution. CEO Abdullah Abdullah addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, November 20th. He briefed the delegates on the situation in Afghanistan and welcomed the UN's decision to adopt a resolution in support of Afghanistan. (Tolo News, Nov 21, 2017).

Afghan Security News

Photo Credit. An instructor from the Afghan National Army Special Forces (ANASF) provides instruction to a member of the Afghan Local Police (ALP). (DVIDS photo).

ALP 1st Line of Defense Against IS-KP. The Afghan Local Police (ALP) has been established in many districts in 31 of 34 Afghan provinces. The ALP in Achin district, Nangarhar province is the first line of defense against the Taliban and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP). Read more in "Afghan Local Police, Controversial Force That Fill Security Gap", Voice of America, November 20, 2017.

ANA Territorial Force. Afghan warlords and strongmen are already beginning to try and influence the planned 'territorial force' that the U.S. and Afghan government are thinking to establish. The Afghan National Army Territorial Force, in some ways, will be similar to the Afghan Local Police. The Afghan National Army Territorial Force (ANATF) will likely be self-defense units of locally-recruited men serving in their own communities. Read more in "UN concerned by controversial US plan to revive Afghan militias", The Guardian, November 19, 2017.

Senior ANP Official Resignation. The head of the MoI's 119 police hotline system has resigned from his position citing lack of support from the Ministry of Interior. See also "MoI to Probe Accusations between 119 Chief and Ministry", Tolo News, November 21, 2017.

Afghan SOF Target Taliban in Herat Province. Afghan SOF units, including the 4th and 9th SOKs, Police Special Units, and Afghan Special Forces went after Taliban insurgents in a recent operation in Shindad district, Herat province during November. Read "Afghan Special Operations team up with 207th Corps to eradicate Taliban from Shindad", DVIDS, November 22, 2017.

Tide Could Turn? Optimistic Statements by RS HQs Cdr. U.S. General John Nicolson recently stated that the tide will soon turn against the Taliban. He believes the ANDSF is getting better, will take the fight to the enemy in 2018, and that the Taliban will be forced to the bargaining table. Nicholson is interviewed by Radio Free Europe, November 10, 2017.

Dozens Freed from Taliban Prison. Afghan officials said that up to 30 people were rescued from a Taliban prison in the southern province of Helmand on Sunday, November 19th. Among those rescued were two police officers and four children under the age of 12. See "Raid on Taliban Prison Reportedly Frees Dozens in Afghanistan", Radio Free Europe, November 19, 2017.

Movies and Videos about Afghanistan

First Afghan Black Hawk Pilots soon to Graduate, Resolute Support Hqs, posted on YouTube.com, on November 16, 2017. (2-min video explains the training program for AAF pilots).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k882GyV_pi8

NATO Ambassador to Afghanistan on Future Elections. Ambassador Zimmermann, NATO's Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan, talks about future elections. He says the international community will assist in conducting credible elections. (Resolute Support, November 21, 2017).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCQ3nySI8Rg

TAAC-West Camp Zafar security force assistance. Camp Zafar, Afghanistan, November 13, 2017. A short video recording of a meeting between Italian advisors and the ANA at Train, Advise, Assist Command - West in Herat province.
www.dvidshub.net/video/567413/taac-west-camp-zafar-security-force-assistance

Master Sgt. Broadnax SFAB Testimonial, 50th Public Affairs Detachment, November 2, 2017. The 1st SFAB will soon deploy to Afghanistan. MSG Alfredo Broadnax, signals NCO, describes his experience with the unit.
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/567605/master-sgt-broadnax-sfab-testimonial

The Breadwinner. An animated film produced by Angelina Jolie is based on a children's novel by Deborah Ellis. The film tells the story of an 11 year old girl named Parvana who lives in Kabul. (The Mary Sue, Nov 21, 2017).

Afghan News Snippets

The UK Experience in the Afghan Counter Narcotics Mission. In a very informative article, David Mansfield - a Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics, provides a history of the United Kingdom's involvement in the counter narcotics campaign in Afghanistan. Read "The Rise of Opium Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan: When will too much be enough?", Hurst Publishers, November 15, 2017.

ICC, War Crimes, U.S. Military, and CIA. The International Criminal Court is going ahead with plans to launch a full investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan that may involve U.S. military members and operatives of the Central Intelligence Agency. One aspect of the investigation will involve the 'secret detention centers in Afghanistan'. The US is not a member of the ICC but U.S. citizens can still be charged with crimes by the court. A big problem with the investigation is that the reporting on the very small number of war crimes that might have been done by U.S. personnel will likely overshadow the huge and significant war crimes conducted by the Taliban over the past several years. (Deusche Welle, Nov 20, 2017).

Vacationing in Afghanistan Soon? Are you considering a holiday trip to South Asia? The folks at NATO Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan (NSOCC-A) have a superb retreat in the countryside just outside of Kabul. Read "Vacation Rental: Private Room in Cozy Camp, Experience Authentic Afghanistan", Task and Purpose, November 21, 2017.

Bootlegging Alcohol. The European Union is investigating reports that wine and spirits were smuggled out of the EU compound and sold on Kabul's black market. Hmmmm. (Tolo News, Nov 20, 2017).

"The Lost Troop". The author of a short story about a U.S. unit in Afghanistan is interviewed by The New Yorker, November 20, 2017.

Peace Conference in Bamyan. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) organized an event that brought religious leaders together in support of efforts to build a culture of tolerance and non-violence in Afghanistan. (Eurasia Review, Nov 21, 2017).

Afghan Economy Growing. The World Bank says that Afghanistan's economy will likely see a 2.6 percent growth this year. (Reuters, Nov 21, 2017).

Stay Current on News about Afghanistan

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Afghan War Blog Weekly Newsletter - November 19, 2017

Asia Foundation's "Survey of the Afghan People 2017"

The Asia Foundation conducts an annual survey of the Afghan population and publishes a report on its findings in the fall of each year. The report covers several topics to include the National Mood, Security, Economy, Development, Governance, Politics, Media, Women in Society, and Migration. This years 267-page report is based on interviews of over 10,000 people across many ethnic groups from all 34 Afghan provinces.

Here is an abstract of the report provided by The Asia Foundation:

"Survey of the Afghan People polled 10,012 Afghan respondents from 16 ethnic groups across all 34 provinces, including insecure and physically challenging environments. The annual survey is the longest-running and broadest nationwide survey of Afghan attitudes and opinions. Since 2004, the Survey has gathered the opinions of more than 97,000 Afghan men and women, providing a unique longitudinal portrait of evolving public perceptions of security, the economy, governance and government services, elections, media, women’s issues, and migration."

You can download the report at the link below:

https://asiafoundation.org/publication/afghanistan-2017-survey-afghan-people

Analysis and Commentary on the Survey of the Afghan People:

Asia Foundation Survey 2017 - Security Highlights of Report, SOF News, November 14, 2017
www.sof.news/afghanistan/asia-foundation-survey-2017/

UH-60 Black Hawks for Afghan Air Force

Training Program for Afghan UH-60 Pilots Explained. The first batch of the Afghan UH-60 pilots are almost finished with the first stage of their training. Mi-17 pilots are transitioning from the Russian helicopter to the U.S. utility helicopter. The training consists of classroom work and hands on training in the Black Hawk. The three phases of training cover many weeks. The first phase covers the basics. The second phase (10 weeks long) introduces the pilots to the mission tactics employed by the UH-60. The third phase completes the training.

Video - First Afghan Black Hawk Pilots to Graduate, Resolute Support HQs YouTube.com, November 16, 2017. (2-minute video on the UH-60 program for the AAF).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k882GyV_pi8

UH-60 Black Hawks - Saving Afghanistan One Helicopter at a Time. The United States military and Resolute Support Headquarters are really pushing the narrative that the UH-60 Black Hawk will be a 'game changer' for the conflict in Afghanistan. However, there are some problems with that story line. Read an informative article on this topic by Pamela Constable entitled "U.S. wants to build 'tsunami of air power' in Afghanistan, but impact is years away", The Washington Post, November 12, 2017.

Train, Advise, Assist, Accompany, and Enable (TA3E)

HIMARS firing in Afghanistan in support of ground troops.
(Photo by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean Furey)

Marines Providing "Assist" to 215th ANA Corps with HIMARS. The Marines of Task Force Southwest are providing fire support to the Afghan National Army in Helmand province. Of course, the advanced rocket system also provides a degree of security to the Marine advisor teams working across Helmand province at the tactical (kandak) level. The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System has a range of about 300 kilometers - depending on the type of munition being fired. Read more in "Marines bring HIMARS to Helmand to beef up security", Military Times, November 12, 2017.

1st SFAB 92Y Likes Her Job. The 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade will soon deploy to Afghanistan. Like many units, the SFAB needs a variety of support MOSs to function. Read on how one Unit Supply NCO likes her new job with the 1st SFAB in "Combat Service Support Soldiers take pride in building the 1st SFAB", DVIDS, November 9, 2017.

ATP 3-96.1 SFAB. The army is scheduled to publish Army Techniques Publication (ATP) 3-96.1 in January 2018. It provides doctrinal guidance and direction on how the Security Force Assistance Brigades plan, prepare, and executes operations globally. Could be useful to the 1st SFAB due to deploy to Afghanistan in early 2018.

DoD IG Report on Child Abuse by ANDSF. The U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General's office issued a report on November 14th highlighting the history of U.S. military reporting cases of child abuse by members of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.

SFABs and Governance Advising. Do they have enough CA expertise? Three U.S. Army Civil Affairs officers provide some advice for the 1st SFAB on the art of governance advising. Read "A Governance Advising Framework for the Security Force Assistance Brigade", Small Wars Journal, November 18, 2017.

U.S. Special Forces and Training up the ANASF. Periodically throughout the year a graduation ceremony is held for a group of Afghan Commandos who have successfully completed the ANA Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). To even apply to the ANASF an Afghan soldier must have served some time in the Afghan Commandos. Read more in "I Serve Afghanistan!: Afghan Soldiers Graduate to the Elite Ranks of Special Forces", Task and Purpose, November 12, 2017.

40th Division to Take Over TAAC South

The California Army National Guard's 40th Infantry Division will soon be in charge of Train, Advise, Assist Command - South (TAAC South). The 40th ID (Mechanized) is preparing to deploy in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS) and will be taking operational command of the southern part of Afghanistan. In preparation elements of the division staff participated in exercise Allied Spirit VII at the U.S. Army's Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany in November. Read more in a news report by the U.S. Army. (DVIDS, Nov 18, 2017).

Commentary on Afghanistan

Peacekeeping Interventions and RoL. Peacekeeping practitioners work with complex systems - namely systems that are disorderly, irregular, and unpredictable. A report by USIP suggests that practitioners may be better at managing confusion and uncertainty by adopting a more flexible approach. Read "Systems Thinking for Peacekeeping and Rule of Law: Supporting Complex Reforms in Conflict-Affected Environments", United States Institute for Peace (USIP), October 23, 2017.

Developing an Afghan Policy. Shazar Shafqat provides his perspective on the situation in Afghanistan. Read "Afghanistan policy is puzzle of unfriendly pieces", The Hill, November 17, 2017.

Absence of an Afghan Strategy. Gerald F. Hyman writes "Trump's New Afghanistan Strategy Isn't Really a Strategy", The National Interest, November 17, 2017. Hyman is a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars.

RECCA & Heart of Asia. The Director-General of Policy & Strategy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, M. Ashraf Haidari, has penned an editorial that informs us about the importance of two Afghan-led regional conferences that aim to provide for greater security and stability in Afghanistan and the greater region. The Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) meets in mid-November and the 7th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia meets in December. Read more in "Afghan-Led RECCA and Heart of Asia Processes Can Bolster Regional Stability and Prosperity", Eurasia Review, November 13, 2017.

Afghan Governance News

CEO Visits U.S. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah, paid a visit to the United States in November 2017 While in the U.S. Dr. Abdullah met with the U.S. National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster - discussing the mentoring, training, and equipping of the Afghan security forces. Read more here (Voice of America, Nov 15, 2017).

RoL Discussion. On November 8th, Ambassador (former) Karl Eikeberry visited Stanford Law School to share his perspective on the new U.S. policies toward Afghanistan. (SLS Blog, Nov 18, 2017).

Loya Jirga? Former President Hamid Karzai has said that Afghanistan should convene a Loya Jirga to consolidate and strengthen national consensus and to get the country out of its current security and political crisis. But . . . current President Ashraf Ghani says "not so much". Read "Calls for Loya Jirga Contravenes the Law: ARG", Tolo News, November 16, 2017.

IEC Chairman Fired. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fired Najibullah Ahmadzai, the chairman of the country's Independent Election Commission, on Wednesday, November 15th. The move raises concerns over whether the parliamentary and council elections scheduled for 2018 will take place. Presidential elections are scheduled for 2019 and the 2018 parliamentary elections were seen as a 'dry run'. International donor countries are placing heavy pressure on running safe and legitimate elections. Five members of the seven-member IEC wrote to Ghani this week accusing Ahmadzai of incompetence. (Reuters, Nov 15, 2017).

Afghan Security News

Photo: A U.S. F-16 Fighter Falcon is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, above Afghanistan, November 5, 2017. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Patrick Evenson).

Afghanistan's Elite Police - the GCPSU. The four-year plan for re-energizing the Afghan army and police includes the doubling of the Afghan Special Security Forces (ASSF). This includes the units assigned to the General Command of Police Special Units (GCPSU). Currently the GCPSU is comprised of three operational units - CRU 222, CF 333, and ATF 444. The best known is the CRU 222 based in Kabul that responds to high-threat events. By 2020 the GCPSU will double in size with the creation of National Mission Units 555, 888, and 999. Read more in an article by Marty Skovlund entitled "This Elite Police Force is Afghanistan's Secret Weapon Against Violent Extremists", Task & Purpose, November 15, 2017.

14K the New Number. According to the Pentagon (Nov 14th) there are now 14 thousand U.S. military personnel deployed to Afghanistan.

Drop in Personnel in ANA. The Afghan National Army (ANA) has a significant turnover of personnel each year. Some soldiers opt not to re-enlist, some desert, many are wounded or killed. To replenish the force the ANA relies on a robust recruiting effort. But . . . now it must deal with another factor. The Taliban have refined their ability to intimidate the families that have sons serving in the Army - and forcing the families to call on their sons to desert the army. Read more in "Afghan Army Recruitment Dwindles as Taliban Threaten Families", The New York Times, November 18, 2017.

Senior Enlisted Forum held at RS HQs. Senior enlisted Afghan National Defense and Security Force members met in a forum with U.S. counterparts at Resolute Support HQs for a few days in November to discuss current challenges (and solutions) in their respective units. (DVIDS, Nov 17, 2017).

Taliban Using High Tech NVGs. There are some reports that Taliban fighters are using advanced night vision goggles in their fight against the Afghan government. (VOA, Nov 17, 2017).

Building the Afghan Air Force Inventory. The AAF is increasing its inventory of aircraft while - at the same time - it grows the number of pilots and maintainers. See "Inside the US military's plans to double the Afghan air force's aircraft inventory", Defense News, November 10, 2017.

Retiring Old, Broke, and Useless Generals. President Ghani is approving the retirement of more Afghan senior officers. The Afghan Army is bloated with old generals who don't even show up for work and it is time to get rid of a few of them! A new plan has 70 % of the Afghan Army generals getting the boot in the next two years. (Ariana News, Nov 18, 2017).

Haqqani Network - Friends and Enemies. Tom Davis, a veteran of two deployments to Afghanistan writes on the international backers and supporters of the Haqqani Network in "The Haqqani Network: International Friends, Local Enemies", Small Wars Journal, November 12, 2017.

Videos and Movies about Afghanistan

News Snippets on Afghanistan

Book Review. Melissa Kerr Chiovenda reviews Losing and Winning in Afghanistan: An Obituary for the Intervention Noah Coburn. The author of the book is an anthropologist who spent some time in Afghanistan. The book provides key insights into how the western world's foray into Afghanistan took place - from the standpoint of various actors. The key informants used by the author include a former U.S. ambassador, a former Navy SEAL, an development worker, and an Afghan businessman. Read Melissa Chiovenda's take on the book in "Book Review: Losing and Winning In Afghanistan", Gandhara RFE, November 13, 2017.

Drone Warfare. An article tells the story about the men and women behind the remote-controlled fighting that employs Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs). Here is an article that details the costs to the operators and the conditions that increase the risks to their well-being. The two authors of the article, the widow of a Special Forces Soldier and a former AC-130U pilot, offer important recommendations for how to make drone warfare more suitable for the operators. Read "Avengers in Wrath: Moral Agency and Trauma Prevention for Remote Warriors", Lawfare Blog, November 12, 2017.

Trade and Afghanistan's Growth. The World Bank has published a report entitled Trade as a Vehicle for Growth in Afghanistan: Challenges and Opportunities, November 16, 2017. This 94-page report presents four key findings and provides three recommendations.

Gas Turbines to Increase Afghanistan's Power Supply. The Siemens SGT-A45 aeroderivative gas turbine is designed to be set up in two weeks and can supply immediate power to the electrical grid. The turbine is ideal for developing regions or in areas where power is needed after a natural disaster. Siemens has signed a MOU with the Afghan government to provide the turbines for a three-phase energy project in Afghanistan. (Power Engineering, Nov 14, 2017).

SIGAR Report on Waste in Afghanistan. The DoD and State Department - along with the U.S. Agency for International Development - have failed to develop comprehensive sustainment plans for expensive development projects. (Stars and Stripes, Nov 15, 2017).

A Restrained SIGAR? A provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) could potentially put some restraints on the reporting activities of SIGAR. See "Defense bill leashes Afghanistan watchdog", Politico, November 17, 2017.

AWOL Afghan Soldiers. More Afghan troops have disappeared in the United States while attending training from the Joint Base San Antonio. (My San Antonio, Nov 18, 2017).

Agricultural Sector - Good News, Bad News. The good news is that crop cultivation for a significant part of the agricultural sector is at a record high. The bad news is that more opium was grown in Afghanistan in 2017 than in any year since the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) began monitoring in 1994. (Afghanistan Analysts Network, Nov 15, 2017). See more about the UN report in a story by the UN News Centre (Nov 15, 2017).

Good News Report on Corruption. Is it possible? Some good news about the reduction of corruption in Afghanistan? According to an article posted on the website of the World Bank there appears to be some progress in reducing the stealing of money by Afghan elites. Although the country remains among the top 10 most corrupt countries in the world and reforms are fleeting some steps in the right direction are taking place. Read more in "Afghanistan's Public Procurement Racks Up Victories Against Corruption", The World Bank, October 31, 2017.

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Sunday, November 12, 2017

Afghan War Blog Weekly Newsletter - Nov 12, 2017

Train, Advise, Assist, Accompany, and Enable (TA3E)

Members of 1st SFAB conducting a meeting with 'Afghan counterparts'
during advisor training at Fort Benning, Georgia.
(Photo from TRADOC pub, November 1, 2017).

1st SFAB. The 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) is ramping up its training in preparation for its upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in early 2018. One of the adjustments the SFAB is making is the increase in personnel from 529 to over 700. This will allow the Combat Advisor Teams (CATs) to be augmented with intelligence and medical specialists. Read more in "Combat and cultural readiness key for new Army trainers", San Francisco Chronicle, November 7, 2017.

SFAB Seeking Tactical Leaders. The U.S. Army is seeking tough and experienced tactical leaders from many occupational specialties to serve as combat advisors in the Army's newest expeditionary force. Read more in "Security Force Assistance Brigade" XVIII Airborne Corps seeks tactical leaders", Fort Campbell Courier, November 9, 2017.

1st SFAB in the News. The Army's grand experiment in forming up an institutionalized advisor unit is well on its way to proving itself in combat. The unit will deploy to Afghanistan in early 2018. Read some recent news stories about the 1st SFAB.

In Afghanistan - More Troops Outside the Wire. Several years after pulling back, American troops will head outside the wire to battle the Taliban and turn up the air war. Read more in an news report by Foreign Policy, November 10, 2017.

TAAC-North Conference. Members of the Train, Advise, and Assist Command - North met in Brussels to discuss regional challenges and make plans for future peace activities. The defense ministerial was organized by Germany's Defence minister. Germany is the lead 'framework' nation for TAAC-North. (Agenda.ge, Nov 11, 2017).

NATO Troop Increase. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization says it will increase troop levels to 16,000 to enhance the 'train, advise, and assist' mission in Afghanistan. Read a brief news release by NATO posted on 9 November 2017. See also "NATO Plus-Up Will Give Afghan Forces an Offensive Boost, Nicholson Says", Department of Defense, November 11, 2017.

Canada Taking a Pass. Canada is not participating in the NATO troop increase for Afghanistan. While it made significant contributions for over a decade it is passing on the renewed training effort of NATO to enhance the capacity and capability of the ANDSF. (Ottawa Citizen, Nov 8, 2017).

DoD Sending More Troops. One news report (by Adam Linehan) says that the Department of Defense will be adding more troops to Afghanistan - with the troop level meeting 16,000 by early 2018. See "The DoD Is Sending More Troops to Afghanistan Than Previously Announced", Task & Purpose, November 9, 2017.

Article on the "Accompany" Part of TA3E. A British military blog writes on the importance of "Accompany" in the "Train, Advise, Assist, Accompany, and Enable" mission. Read "Accompany" - That Third Myth, Wavell Room, November 9, 2017.

Language and Culture Training. Robert R. Greene Sands, the CEO of LanguaCulture, LLC, writes about how the U.S. Department of Defense can improve language and culture training. (Rosetta Stone Blog, October 19, 2017).