Afghan War Blog

Thursday, January 8, 2015

4 Airmen Disciplined after Friendly Fire Incident

Four U.S. Air Force airmen were disciplined through administrative means for their role in a friendly fire incident last June in Afghanistan where five U.S. Army Soldiers and one Afghan Soldier died during a Special Forces operation in Zabul province. The incident took place on June 9, 2014 when a B-1B Lancer dropped two bombs on the Special Forces position. The aircrew incorrectly thought the bomber's Sniper pod could detect the infrared strobes carried by the Soldiers on the ground. This, as well as other miscues, caused the six deaths. Read more in "4 airmen disciplined after June friendly fire incident in Afghanistan", Air Force Times, January 7, 2015.

But wait . . . there is more. It seems that the "discipline through administrative means" is not quite as harsh as it seems. Another news report says that "Air Force clears crew in 'friendly fire' deaths", The Washington Times, January 7, 2015. According to the Air Force the mistakes by its B1-B air crew when they targeted the American Soldiers did not directly cause the Afghan Wars's worst case of 'friendly fire' casualties. A CENTCOM investigation conducted by a two-star Air Force general place the blame on the SF team. Meanwhile, the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Commander, LTG Charles Cleveland, has cleared the team leader and team sergeant of the SF team of wrongdoing - attributing the blame on the Air Force JTAC attached to the team and the B-1B air crew. Supporters of the A-10 point to this incident as an example of why the Air Force needs to keep the Warthog as the primary close air support aircraft.

Pakistan: Waiver or Certification?

In order for the United States to provide financial aid to Pakistan the State Department has to certify that Pakistan is doing what is mandated by US law. Certification means that Pakistan is combating terrorism and is going after the Haqqani Network, the Quetta Shura and other terrorist or insurgent groups found within its borders. If "certification" is not provided then the State Department can provide a "waiver". Either way, the U.S. provides the financial aid and Pakistan can continue to support the insurgent groups conducting operations against the Coalition (including U.S. troops) and the Afghan National Security Forces. Since 9/11 the U.S. has provided Pakistan with $28 billion. Read more in "Money for nothing & weapons for free", Economic Times (India), January 7, 2015.

Dismantling of Bagram Air Base

The retrograde of U.S. personnel, vehicles, and equipment has been ongoing for the last few years. Hundreds of small and large Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) have been closed or transferred to the Afghan security forces. Those remaining bases - Herat, Camp Marmal at Mezar-e-Sharif, Kandahar Air Base, and Bagram Air Field are collapsing their perimeters and demolishing living and work areas. Read about the transformation of Bagram Air Field in "What Afghanistan's Largest Military Base Looks Like Now", Business Insider,, January 6, 2015.

EUPOL and Rule of Law

EUPOL has posted an explanation of their Line of Operation 3 (LO3) for training up the Afghan National Police. LO3 is the Rule of Law Component and it is further sub-divided into the Police-Justice Linkages Unit and the Legal Reform Unit. Read more in "EUPOL's new Lines of Operation explained: Rule of Law", January 6, 2015.

Assessment of ANSF

Franz-Stefan Gady, an Associate Editor with The Diplomat, provides us with his assessment of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). For all their flaws, he believes there is reason to think Afghanistan's security forces can hold their ground. They will likely be successful in maintaining control of the major population areas and the major lines of communication. Some districts will remain in control of the Taliban. Some ANSF units will come to an accommodation with the insurgents. But the Taliban cannot take over the country. Read more in "Can the Afghan Army Prevail on the Battlefield?", The Diplomat, January 7, 2015.

Article - "Why Soldiers Miss War"

Participating in a war has a great effect on people and some have trouble recovering. Many suffer from varying degrees of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while others just miss the experience and adventure of the war. Some PTSD experts say many experience a combination of both. Some are able to leave it all behind. I don't know for sure as I am not an expert on the topic. Many Afghan veterans spent the war on large FOBs behind large concrete walls - seeing little combat; although some of these "fobbits" were on the receiving end of daily rocket attacks. FOB Shank in Logar province was referred to as "rocket city". Then there are the combat veterans who drove the IED-seeded roads or fought the many small combat engagements from isolated outposts scattered across the Afghan countryside. In the last few years the troops have been participating in advisory missions. One thing is for sure, over the course of the 13-year long war - everyone's experience is different and unique and yet there is a lot of commonality. In addition, upon returning to the states - there is a varied reaction to no longer being in the war. Some combat veterans certainly miss the war; others not so much.

One writer tries to capture this aspect of the Afghan War. He writes about rocket attacks on FOB Shank and then goes on to discuss PTSD. He explains to us that returning combat veterans see life a little bit different from the other 99% of the U.S. population who are not in the military. And he explains PTSD in a different manner than I have heard before; but with which I can certainly understand.

Read Nolan Peterson's piece entitled "Why soldiers miss war", posted on Blue Force Tracker, January 4, 2015.

www.blueforcetracker.com/article/Why-soldiers-miss-war

Paper - JIIM Approach to IW

An extensive paper has been posted on the Small Wars Journal entitled "Countering 21st Center Threats: The Need for an Increased Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental and Multinational (JIIM) Approach to Irregular Warfare." The three authors are a diverse group: a commander in the ROK Navy, a major in the Danish Army, and a major in the U.S. Army. It is a long paper full of information to include a bibliography as well as 53 footnotes. The paper makes several recommendations worth considering.

Read or download the paper off the SWJ website.

A-T Solutions Wins TREX RSM CJ7 Contract

A-T Solutions has won the NATO Resolute Support Mission contract to provide advisory and assistance services to support the Resolute Support Combined Joint Staff 7 - Training and Exercises section. This is more informally known as RSM CJ-7 TREX. The company will develop, design and present field training material and course to ISAF/RS advisors on advisory skills, cultural awareness, insider threat, security force assistance (SFA) and other subjects. Read more in a news release at Business Wire, January 7, 2015.

Afghan News Snippets (Jan 8, 2014)

The Wall Street Journal reports (Jan 6, 2015) that China is creating a new avenue for Afghan peace talks. The Chinese are hosting a delegation of Afghan Taliban officials.

The Afghan public is becoming increasingly frustrated with the delay in forming the Afghan cabinet. Read more in "Afghan Cabinet Delay Creates Pessimism", Gandhara Blog - Radio Free Europe, January 7, 2015.

A news story about the Train, Advise, and Assist (TAA) effort at Tactical Base Gamberi is provided by Kay Johnson in "Smaller NATO mission has big job to train Afghan army in time", Reuters, January 7, 2015.

A bombing in the city of Jalalabad, Nangarhar province killed a judge who served in the neighboring province of Laghman. The bomb was attached to the judge's car by a passing vehicle (magnetic?). (Gandhara Blog - Radio Free Europe, Jan 7, 2015).

A commentator writes about the newly released movie "American Sniper" - about the Navy SEAL Chris Kyle - and the disconnect that America has with the people who fight in the nation's wars. Read more in "If Only America Cared About Actual Wars as Much as War Movies", Defense One, January 6, 2015.

Jim Michaels, a writer, has penned an article that tells us Afghan women's gains are in jeopardy as U.S. troops leave. (USA Today, Jan 6, 2015).

Six employees of a construction firm were shot dead in northern Baghlan province on Wednesday morning. (Afghanistan Times, Jan 7, 2015).

The house of the District Governor (DGov) of Sayed Abad district in Maidan Wardak province was set on fire by the Taliban on Tuesday, Jan 7th.

Two police officers were wounded in a Taliban suicide attack on a police training center in the eastern Afghan city of Khowst on January 7th. (Gandhara Blog - Radio Free Europe, Jan 7, 2015).

Marines from Camp Lejeune are preparing for their deployment to Afghanistan. The 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company received word of their deployment and have been conducting pre-deployment training. (Marine Corps Times, Jan 6, 2015).

A funny YouTube spoof entitled "Civilians Try Military Food". Video depicts civilians trying MREs. Funny entertainment if you need some time away from work. The civilians express their appreciation for what deployed military members must endure. (3 mins).

An asylum decision has been delayed for an Afghan military officer who skipped his training on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and tried to cross the border to Canada. (Military.com, Jan 6, 2015).

Are "functional physical fitness tests" in the future for the U.S. Army? Could happen. Read more in "Army Looking at New MOS-Specific PT Tests", Military.com, Jan 6, 2015.

EUPOL is beginning its next chapter in supporting the Afghan police by working at the strategic level. The EU mission mandate has been extended until the end of 2016. The new acting head of mission, Pia Stjernvall, provides us with her outlook on the EUPOL mission and its next chapter in Afghanistan in the years 2015-2016. (EUPOL, Jan 7, 2015).

Tolo News (AF) has wrote that the ANA are mounting a massive operation in Sangin district in southern Helmand province. (Jan 7, 2015).

A news report in a British media outlet provides info on the signal intelligence that the British GCHQ provided to its troops during the deployment to Helmand province. The GCHQ was credited with spoiling an attack on Camp Bastion. The GCHQ worked in 10 different secret listening posts in the province during the British deployment timeframe. (Gloucestershire Echo, January 6, 2015).

There has been a boom in counterfeit medicine in Afghanistan. The corruption and lack of border controls has opened the country up to a flood of substandard drugs that put poor, sick Afghans at risk. (The Guardian, January 7, 2015.)

A retired war veteran writes his thoughts about the end of the Afghan War in "The End of America's War in Afghanistan", U.S. Naval Institute, January 6, 2015.

Blog Contributors Wanted

The Afghan War News Blog and the Afghan War News website are constantly striving to keep its blog, daily newsletter, and website factual, current, and relevant. If you have a link to a website or document you feel should be shared with the greater community then please send it to us. In addition, we are looking for individuals with some knowledge, experience, and expertise in Afghanistan on a wide range of topics to contribute blog posts and articles to our blog and add content to our website. And naturally, if you see errors, outdated information, or broken links please let us know.

staff@afghanwarnews.info

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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Contract Airlift for Afghanistan

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded contracts for about $40 million for the continuing of contract rotary-wing support in Afghanistan. Two firms - Columbia Helicopters and AAR Airlift Group have been awarded the contracts. They will move passengers and cargo until the end of April 2015. Read more in "US renews contractor airlift support in Afghanistan to end of April 2015", IHS Jane's 360, January 1, 2015.

USFOR-A Graphic Shows Transition and Drawdown

A USFOR-A graphic published in early January 2015 depicts how much personnel, vehicles and cargo containers have been moved out of Afghanistan during 2014. In addition, it depicts bases closed, meals served, and fuel consumed. Read the article and view the graphic at "2014 was a year of transition, drawdown for USFOR-A", NATO RS News, January 6, 2014.

Paper - Four Views of the Long War

Joseph J. Collins, a retired Army Colonel, former Deputy Asst. Secretary of Defense, and now employed at the National Defense University (NDU) provides us with a paper that takes a look at four new books about the "Long War" and its lessons for the future. He discusses Robert Gate's memoir, Duty; a recent RAND study by Linda Robinson et al, Improving Strategic Competence: Lessons from 13 Years of War; LTG Daniel Bolger's book, Why We Lost: A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars; and John Nagl, Knife Fights: a Memoir of Modern War in Theory and Practice. His paper is informative and spot on. Read "The Long War: Four Views", Small Wars Journal, January 5, 2015.

Bergen: Stay in Afghanistan

Peter Bergen, a CNN National Security Analyst, has penned an opinion piece entitled "Why U.S. needs to stay in Afghanistan", CNN, January 5, 2015. He states that President Obama's policy of withdrawing by the end of 2016 may make good politics in the short-term but if Afghanistan slips backward (as did Iraq) then it could hurt the Democratic party over the long-term. He believes a small advisory contingent - heavy with Special Forces is needed to ensure Afghanistan continues to make progress.

Paper - Taliban Movement

A new paper by Michael Semple on the Taliban has been published. Semple is a peace practitioner and scholar who focuses on Afghanistan and Pakistan. He is currently a visiting professor at the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation and Social Justice at Queen's University Belfast. He previously worked as a political officer for the UN mission and the European Union for Afghanistan. In addition, he was a fellow at Harvard with the Kennedy School's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy.

His report offers insights into the Taliban movement's doctrine, organization, and rhetoric and is intended to inform efforts to end the Taliban violence. This report examines the evolution of the Taliban case for armed struggle and the adjustments the Taliban rhetoricians made to cope with the impending political change in Afghanistan in 2014. It considers how the Taliban might make a case for peace, should they take the political decision to engage in negotiations.

Read "Rhetoric, Ideology, and Organizational Structure of the Taliban Movement", United States Institute of Peace (USIP), January 5, 2015.

M-4 Carbine is Staying

A few weeks back retired General John Scales wrote an article in the January issue of The Atlantic on why the M-4 is a bad rifle for the U.S. infantryman. Kyle Mizokami examines the valid points of Scales but ponders other attributes of the M4 that make him say the M-4 isn't going anywhere soon. Read "The M-4 Carbine is Here to Stay", War is Boring, January 5, 2015.

Moderation Through Sufism

Jan Agha Iqbal, a former diplomat, writes about the role of moderate Islam through Sufism could provide stability in Afghanistan. He believes that Sufism is misunderstood by the western world. Read more in "In Search of Stability in Afghanistan: Discovering Moderation Through Sufism: OPED", Eurasia Review, January 5, 2015.

Taliban in China for Peace Talks

A Taliban delegation visited Beijing recently for peace talks with Chinese officials. The delegation was led by Qari Din Mohammad - a member of the Taliban political office in Doha. Read more in "Taliban Delegation Holds Talks in China", Radio Free Europe, January 4, 2015.

Daily News Snippets (Jan 7, 2015)

The inability of the Afghan government to appoint a cabinet has been the topic of online humor. Read more in "Taliban 'joke' joins online mockery over delayed Afghan cabinet", Reuters, January 6, 2015.

A compelling story of an Afghan, age 66, who transports the dead of both sides (Taliban and government) to their homes. Read "Ferrying the Dead of Both Sides in a Cruel Afghan War", The New York Times, January 6, 2015.

Critics point to the Guantanamo detention center as a recruitment tool for al- Qaeda and the Taliban. It appears that an increased number of transfers is taking place that may allow the closing of the detention facility at some point in the future. Read more in "The Path to Closing Guantanamo", The New York Times, January 5, 2015.

The newly appointed Ambassador to Afghanistan - P. Michael McKinley - presented his diplomatic credentials to President Ghani at a ceremony on Tuesday in Kabul.

Guest Bloggers Wanted

AWN Early in Morning

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Lara Logan Interviews COMISAF

Lara Logan interviews General John Campbell and President Ghani for a "60 Minutes" segment. The interview (about 14 mins long) is entitled "Ending America's Longest War". During the interview several topics are presented and discussed: retrograde operations, the lights of Kabul at night, the ability of the ANSF to fight alone, the ANSF special operations forces, funding of the ANSF post-2014, operating on President Obama's timeline, frustration with Pakistan, worries about ISIS, concern about an Iraq situation in Afghanistan post-2014, President Ghani's outlook on Afghanistan, Ghani's expression of a flexible timeline for withdrawal of U.S. troops, and the topic of sanctuaries in Pakistan for the Taliban comes up as well.

www.cbsnews.com/news/afghanistan-war-60-minutes-lara-logan/

U.S. Drone Fleet Almost Broke

According to senior military leaders the U.S. drone fleet is at the breaking point. Too many missions and too few drone pilots are threatening the readiness and combat capability of the United States unmanned Air Force. There are enough Predators and Reaper drones just not enough manpower. Those drone operators who are fully trained are over-worked with many leaving the service because their service careers have been damaged due to lack of professional schools, cancelled leaves, and unsatisfactory work conditions. In addition, the drones require maintenance workers to keep the UAVs flying and intelligence analysts to collect the information, analyze it, and disseminate the resulting intelligence in reports. Read more in "Exclusive: U.S. Drone Fleet at 'Breaking Point', Air Force Says", The Daily Beast, January 4, 2015.

Video - COMISAF Interview

General John Campbell, ISAF Commander, was interviewed by ABC News. He addressed the purpose of the mission under Resolute Support - which is Train, Advise, and Assist (TAA) at the Corps and ministry level. In addition, special operators, in a TAA will accompany their Afghan counterparts at the lower unit level. He addressed whether the war was worth fighting - saying he was in the camp that says the war was worth it; dismissing a recent poll that reflected a contrary view by the U.S. public. He also answered questions on the high profile attacks in Kabul that have increased lately. No big news here - good to hear the General is staying on message!

http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/video/full-interview-gen-john-campbell-27990189

Corruption - Drug Kingpin Goes Free

Afghanistan's judicial system is a farce. We are once again confronted with another example of how corrupt the Afghan police and judicial system is with the news that a leading opium trafficker has been released from prison. Haji Lal Jan Ishaqzai has been on the U.S. kingpin list but is now free - having been released. He has fled to Pakistan. His high-profile prosecution by Afghan authorities had been trumpeted by ISAF as proof that the Afghan judicial system was working. Not so much. Mr. Ishaqzai bribed his way out of prison - paying off a cross-section of people in the criminal justice system with millions of dollars. Read more in "Bribery Frees a Drug Kingpin in Afghanistan, Where Cash Often Overrules Justice", The New York Times, December 31, 2014.

Eikenberry: "The Great Draft Dodge"

Karl Eikenberry, a retired 3-star general and former ambassador to Afghanistan, is interviewed about the military-civilian compact, the elimination of the draft for military service in the early 1970s, and Afghanistan (where he served two tours with the military). Read "The Great Draft Dodge", National Journal, December 12, 2014.

C-17 Flying Hospital

A news article describes the C-17 Globemastter III that is a 'flying hospital'. It is used for MEDEVACs from the war zone to a hospital for patients requiring advanced care. In the case of Afghanistan, the C-17 would transport the patient(s) from Bagram or Kandahar to Landstuhl, Germany. Read more in "The Flying Hospital That Rushes Wounded Soldiers to Safety", Danger Room by Wired.com, January 5, 2015.

Ghani Suggest Troop Timetable Change

President Ghani of Afghanistan believes the end of 2016 may be too soon for the complete withdrawal of international troops. 2014 was the deadliest year for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and some critics are voicing concern about the ANSF ability to go it alone once the international forces depart. Read more in "Afghanistan president suggests US 'reexamine' troop withdrawal timetable", Fox Politics, January 5, 2015.

And . . . drum roll . . . after hearing about Ghani's thoughts on a re-examination of the troop withdrawal timeline the White House issued a statement saying that President Obama has been "really clear" about the U.S. strategy. Read more in "White House: Obama 'clear' about Afghanistan withdrawal", The Hill, January 5, 2015.

Pakistani Balochs in Afghanistan

Some Balochs from Pakistan are seeking refuge in Afghanistan. There is a small insurgency in the Balochistan province of Pakistan that has been simmering for years. The Balochs are mostly nomads and are spread out among three countries - Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The terrain and geography makes it a desolate place providing little economic opportunity. Most make their living from migratory animal husbandry and some smuggling. The Balochs have been at odds with the central Pakistani government since Pakistan gained its independence. There have been a number of attempts at independence and several insurgent movements. Many Balochs flee to Pakistan to avoid persecution by Pakistani security forces. Most Pakistani Balochs move to Nimroz province, Afghanistan where the majority of the population is also Baloch. Read more in "Pakistani Balochs seeking shelter in Afghanistan - analysis", Eurasia Review, January 4, 2015.

French Hold Ceremony for End of Msn

A ceremony was held in Kabul by French troops to mark the end of their deployment and the end of the NATO ISAF mission. Part of the French contingent ran the military side of Kabul International Airport. This function was turned over to the Turks. France withdrew most of its combat troops from Afghanistan over two years ago. The country had lost 89 soldiers and saw 700 wounded since 2001. Read more in "French ceremony as new NATO Afghan mission takes over", Daily Mail, December 31, 3014.

News - Brain Injuries

A "SEAL Breacher Study" will explore the way that Navy SEAL brains are affected by repeated blasts. Two researchers will conduct the study. A 'breacher' is someone who uses explosives to blow open a door. The researchers will use specific brain-scanning equipment and will study 10 former Navy SEALs who recently left the service. Read more in "Are Navy SEALs affected by repeated blasts", U-T San Diego, December 10, 2014.

Pub - "Tip of the Spear"

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has published its "Tip of the Spear 2014 in Photos" issue. You can view online or download off DVIDS at the link below:

www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/24177

Daily News Snippets (Jan 6, 2015)

Afghan news outlets report that a EUPOL vehicle was attacked by a suicide bomber on Monday afternoon in east Kabul in PD9 on Pul-e-Charkhi road. Kabul police confirm that 1 civilian is killed and 5 other wounded. Estimates of damage and casualties differ.

A news report examines the implications of drawing down troops to an "unsafe level". Read more in "Taliban sees opportunity to gain ground in Afghanistan", Fox News, January 5, 2015.

On Monday an explosion occurred that killed two civilians and and injured eleven in Zabul province. The explosives were placed on the vehicle of an Afghan security officer - he escaped unharmed.

A reporter visits Tactical Base Gamberi in Laghman province and explores what our troops are doing there. Read "Smaller NATO mission has big job to train Afghan army in time", Reuters, by Kay Johnson, January 5, 2015.

The Afghan government is in the process of conducting a census of the Afghan population. One of the difficulties is that many Afghans have only one name. This is especially true in the more rural areas. Read more in "The Politics of Last Names", The Atlantic, January 5, 2015.

Australia remains committed to the mission in Afghanistan. They will continue to deploy troops for the new training and mentoring mission in Afghanistan. (Daily Mail, Dec 30, 2014).

The Nebraska Air National Guard's 155th Air Refueling Wing is sending about 50 airmen to participate in Operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Middle East. The airmen come from the Security Forces Squadron, Force Support Squadron, and Civil Engineer Squadron. Their deployment will last six months. (Omaha.com, Dec 30, 2014).

Afghan health care is at risk with the decrease coming in international aid. While great strides have been made in the health care sector much work still needs to be done. Critics say that the advances in health care have been exaggerated by some organizations (can you spell USAID?). Read more in "Afghan health care at risk as international aid is scaled back", Stars and Stripes, January 5, 2015.

According to news reports the new F-35 fighter will not be able to fire its 25mm cannon until 2019 - over four years from now. Yet the U.S. Air Force wants to retire the A-10 next year. Hmmmm. Read "New U.S. Stealth Jet Can't Fire Its Gun Until 2019", The Daily Beast, December 31, 2014.

The Afghan Army Chief of Staff, General Sher Mohammad Karimi, recently visited the 203rd ANA Corps headquartered in Paktia province on Monday. The 203rd ANA Corps is responsible for the security in seven southeastern provinces of Afghanistan. Read more about his visit and his comments to the troops in "Gen. Karimi Rallies Troops Ahead of Looming Push Against Insurgents", Tolo News, January 5, 2015.

James Stavridis, a retired 4-star Navy admiral and Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University , has penned an article about Afghanistan. He sounds optimistic about the ability of the Afghan security forces (with a little help from the Coalition) to "contain the Taliban insurgency". He sees the war lasting for a while. He says that the key to attaining a successful outcome will depend on three things. Read more in "All Is Not Lost in Afghanistan", Foreign Policy, January 5, 2015.

The 215th ANA Corps commander has been replaced by BG Dadan Lawang, a former commander of the 4th Brigade of the ANA 201st Corps in eastern Afghanistan. Lawang also headed the ANA Special Operations Command (ANASOC) for a few years. (Marine Corps Times, January 4, 2015).

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Coffee and Afghan News at 5:00 AM

Monday, January 5, 2015

Bibliography for Resolute Support (Updated Jan 15)

The Annotated Bibliography for Resolute Support - has been updated and posted. The ISAF mission ended on 31 December 2014 and the NATO Resolute Support mission started on 1 January 2015. The Resolute Support mission is primarily Security Force Assistance along functional areas at the ministry, institutional, and ANA corps level. The bibliography will be very helpful for advisors at all levels in Afghanistan as well as staff members of the RS mission. It has links to hundreds of documents, papers, publications, and websites about advising, the Afghan National Security Forces, and Afghanistan. The bibliography is updated every month and posted the first day of the month. The publication is an Adobe Acrobat PDF, is almost 200 pages long, and is less than 3 MBs big. You can read online or download at the link below.

www.afghanwarnews.info/pubs/RSM-Bibliography.htm

SF Combat Dive School Changes Unit Motto

The U.S. Army Special Forces Combat Dive School located at Key West, Florida has quietly changed its school motto. The motto - "I Can't Breath" - is now a phrase that is politically incorrect since the civil rights movement has adopted the phrase. Students who undergo training at the physically demanding course often find themselves in circumstances where they are short of breath - thus the origin of the phrase. Of course, the dive school used to be a hard school when students had to do "cross-overs" and "bobbing"; but that was before the school got easy. Reportedly, the Special Forces community is somewhat dismayed that one of their best school slogans has been hijacked. Special Forces training is one of the most rigorous in the world and the Green Berets are reluctant to have to change any aspect of their Special Forces culture. Read more about the change of the dive school motto in "Army Dive School Quietly Changes 'I Can't Breath' Unit Motto", Duffel Blog, January 4, 2015.

Afghan COIN Lessons Learned

With the conclusion of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, the end of U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan, and a "responsible end to the Afghan War" pundits are commenting on lessons learned of waging a counterinsurgency in Afghanistan. These lessons learned will inform the public and military for years to come in future counterinsurgency operations. Steve Metz is the director of research at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute and an author. He provides us with three lessons learned on the counterinsurgency effort in Afghanistan.

1. Political culture must shape any U.S. counterinsurgency campaign.
2. Success is not simply a matter of picking the right local leader.
3. A successful counterinsurgency is almost impossible when the insurgents have external sanctuary.

Read his complete article entitled "What are the real lessons of the Afghanistan War?", World Politics Review, January 2015.

China-U.S. Relations . . . and Afghanistan

Zhao Minghao writes about how China and the United States are interacting in relation to Afghanistan. With the withdrawal of American troops and a reduction in the U.S. financing of the Afghan government comes a reduction in the influence that the United States can wield in Afghanistan and the surrounding region. This vacuum will be filled - in part - by China. In this area of U.S. - China relations there is great possibility for some common ground. Read more in "Afghanistan and China-U.S. Relations", Exploring the Frontiers of U.S.-China Strategic Cooperation: Roles and Responsibilities Beyond the Asia-Pacific Region, edited by Melanie Hart, Center for American Progress, November 2014.

https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ChinaReport-Global-FINAL.pdf

USAID CHAMP

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has many programs to assist development throughout the world. One of these programs, Commercial Horticulture and Agricultural Marketing Program (CHAMP) is in operation in Afghanistan. Read a story on how CHAMP assisted an Afghan grape farmer to rebuild his farm and his life in "From Charikar to the World", USAID FRONTLINES, November/December 2014.

Book Review - "Why We Lost"

Carter Malkasian has penned a book review of retired LTG Daniel Bolger's book entitled "Why We Lost". LTG Bolger has been very critical of how the Iraq and Afghan War's were conducted. According to Malkasian, the book is a 500-page history filled with stories of Soldiers and Marines in firefights and close combat and provides input into how the United States should wage war. Malkasian points out the strengths and flaws of Bolger's book. Malkasian is the author of "War Comes to Garmser". He works at the Center for Naval Analysis (CNA), spent several years in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was the political advisor to General Joe Dunford (COMISAF) in Afghanistan from May 2013 to August 2014. Read "Book review: 'Why We Lost,' a general's account of two wars, by Daniel Bolger", The Washington Post, January 2, 2015.

India-Afghan Relations?

A news article by Shakti Sinha, a former civil servant who worked in Afghanistan for the UN for three years, examines India - Afghanistan relations. He states that the new Afghan government of President Ghani poses some challenges for India. He believes that India is becoming marginalized in regional affairs involving Afghanistan and states that India "seems missing in action". He believes that India should continue its practice of low-profile assistance in the economic, development, and reconstruction sectors. That continued assistance along with the ability to provide advanced medical care in India for Afghan citizens (at least those who can afford the travel costs) can provide much needed help to Afghanistan and maintain (at least to a small degree) some influence. Read "India-Afghan Relations: Road to Nowhere? - Analysis", Eurasia Review, January 2, 2015.

How Advisors Build Rapport

A recent post online discusses how trainers and advisors conducting Foreign Internal Defense or FID can build rapport with their counterparts. Special Forces personnel receive extensive training in how to advise foreign military units. One aspect of this training is building rapport. The SF students first exposure to rapport building during Special Forces training takes place during the unconventional warfare exercise called Robin Sage. Good information for those personnel training up to deploy on a Security Force Assistance mission to Afghanistan. Read more in "Foreign Internal Defense Tips, Pt. 3, Rapport Building", SOFREP, January 3, 2015.

Video - CNN clip on New ISAF Mission

A recently published news video explains ISAF's new mission in Afghanistan - Resolute Support. There is a massive change in the size of the international forces and its mission. There is a transition from combat operations to a Train, Advise, and Assist mission. The size of the international force is now down to about 13,000 of which 11,000 are U.S. personnel. Combat operations are restricted to force protection and self-defense. There will be operations that will continue to target remnants of al-Qaeda still in Afghanistan. In addition the Coalition will provide limited air support to the ANSF. Watch "U.S. mission is changing", CNN International, by Jim Sciutto, December 30, 2014.

Who are the Taliban?

Azam Ahmed writes about how unruly factions hurt the Taliban's bid to capture Afghan hearts and territory. (New York Times, Jan 2, 2015). Kidnappings and robberies hurt the Taliban's cause in Helmand province. Article examines what happened to the senior leaders of a decade ago and who the Taliban are now.

Daily News Snippets (Jan 5, 2015)

Afghanistan's orphans live a very vulnerable life. Funding of orphanages is limited and hampered by the corruption of the Afghan officials. Read more in "A decade of aid cash brings little cheer for Afghan orphans", France 24, January 4, 2015.

Afghan news outlets say that a dozen rebels were killed in a Ghazni province clash recently.

Six foreign militants are believed to have been killed in an American drone strike in the North Wazirstan tribal region of Pakistan on Sunday morning (Jan 4, 2015). According to a Pakistani security official two drone missiles were fired into a compound on early Sunday morning. Reportedly a small group of Uzbek militants were killed. (The New York Times, Jan 4, 2015).

38 % of the U.S. public thinks the Afghan War was worth the costs. This figure is reportedly rising according to a ABC poll. (The Washington Post, Jan 4, 2015).

It seems that members of the U.S. military are the best customers of the Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select whiskey. Read more here. (The Tampa Tribune, Jan 4, 2015).

Afghan Cabinet. Reportedly the new Afghan cabinet will be announced on Wednesday. President Ghani had promised to announce the cabinet within 45 days of taking office. It has been three months. The delay is attributed to disagreements on the cabinet selections between President Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah (CEO). (Khaama Press, Jan 4, 2015).

Tamim Asey writes about the year to come (2015) for Afghanistan. He identifies six key trends to watch. 1) NUG survival, 2) parliamentary election, 3) peace process, 4) security sector reform, 5) dwindling economy, and 6) reform agenda. (Eurasia Review, Jan 3, 2015).

Task Force Sabre and USAID met with members of the Parwan provincial leadership recently to discuss future coordination and the changing nature of international assistance for Afghanistan. The shura was organized by the program director for USAID on Bagram Airfield and hosted at the Justice Center in Parwan by general officers of the Afghan National Army. (DVIDS, Jan 4, 2015).

A female doctor from eastern Ghazni province was shot dead by militants late on Saturday night. The motive is not clear. (Khaama Press, Jan 4, 2015.).

The Georgian defense minister paid a visit to Afghanistan to meet Georgian troops stationed there. (Radio Free Europe, Jan 3, 2015).

Two Afghan soldiers have been arrested in connection with the deaths of people attending a wedding party in Helmand province. Eight more soldiers are under investigation. The incident took place in Sangin district. It appears that it was either mortar or artillery fire - news reports are unclear. (ABC News, Jan 2, 2015).

There are quite a few illegal armed individuals in the Kabul area - many of them involved in criminal activities in the city. The Kabul police will soon be launching an effort to disarm these illegal individuals and groups. (Khaama Press, Jan 4, 2015).

The Afghan first lady is engaged in coordinating for the dispense of relief supplies to those endangered by the arrival of winter weather. Read more in "Afghanistan's first lady steps into public eye with rural aid project", The Los Angeles Times, January 4, 2015.

The former chairman of the high office of oversight and anti-corruption, Azizullah Ludin, has died in the United States. He was undergoing medical treatment in the U.S.

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Sunday, January 4, 2015

Students of Afghan Air Force

Flying students in the Afghan Air Force (AAF) attend their training at Shindand Airbase in western Afghanistan. The aircraft they learn on is the Cessna 182T. Shindand Airbase is about 60 miles south of Herat and 75 miles from the Iranian border. The airfield, a former base for the Soviet Union, opened for flight training in September 2011 with the arrival of the first C-182T. The U.S. Air Force is working in conjunction with Integration Innovation, Inc. (www.i3-corps.com); the firm that provides contract instructors for the flight training program. The first I3 class started in December 2011. The students learn to fly Cessna 182Ts, Cessna 208s, and other aircraft. Find out more about the Afghan Air Force flight training program in "Learning to fly in a war zone", Blue Force Tracker, December 29, 2014.