Karzai Supports U.S. Afghan War Strategy - Says U.S.

U.S. spokesmen and other high level officials are trying to downplay the words of President Karzai of Afghanistan when he criticizes U.S. operations.  His criticism of U.S. Special Operations Forces conducting "night raids" has been reported heavily in the press.  See more in "U.S:: Karzai supportive of Afghan war strategy", USA Today, November 22, 2010.

Col Abdul Razzik - Special Forces Ally in Southern Afghanistan

American troops are partnering with many different types of Afghan units in an attempt to quell the Taliban insurgency.  One such "partner" is Col Abdul Razzik - a leader of a military unit that secures Spin Boldak and other parts of southern Afghanistan.  Read more about this successful insurgent fighter and his questionable background at "In Afghanistan, U.S. Turns 'Malignant Actor' Into Ally", The Wall Street Journal, November 18, 2010.

Latest Poll Results Prompt Calls for Quitting Afghanistan (International Council of Security and Development)

A recent poll conducted by the International Council on Security and Development (ICSD) has prompted some to call for an early withdrawal from Afghanistan.  It is obvious from the poll results that we are losing the information operations (or do we now call it "strategic communications"?) battle.  Read a recent columnist's opinion of this poll and what we should do in "It's braver to quit Afghanistan now", The Guardian, November 21, 2010.

The following is the text from the website of the ICSD which provides some background information on the poll conducted in October 2010. 

"In October 2010 the International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) interviewed 1500 Afghan men in southern and northern Afghanistan. In Helmand and Kandahar, 1000 men were interviewed. In Panjshir and Parwan, 500 men were interviewed.

The two clusters of provinces chosen by ICOS reflect very different ethnic and political situations. Panjshir and Parwan are dominated by ethnic Tajiks, and were the stronghold of the anti-Taliban fighter Ahmad Shah Massoud during the civil war of the 1990s. They are now usually regarded as amongst the more peaceful areas of Afghanistan. Helmand and Kandahar, which are heavily Pashtun, were the homeland of the Taliban movement, and today are at the centre of the insurgency in Afghanistan.

Kandahar and Helmand, along with Kunar province in the north-east, see 60% of the insurgent attacks across Afghanistan, according to NATO-ISAF. Therefore the ICOS research in these southern provinces provides a unique insight into the most relevant cohort of the Afghan population, in the most relevant areas of the country.

The questions assessed a range of subjects including interviewees’ perceptions of NATO-ISAF and the wider international community, their attitudes towards the Taliban, and their opinions on international development efforts in their community. This ICOS field research offers a unique insight on the attitudes of the Afghan people on these issues."

The poll results can be downloaded from the ICSD at the link below:

http://www.icosgroup.net/modules/reports/afghanistan_transition_missing_variables

Taliban to Continue Fighting During Winter Season in Kandahar According to Noorzai Elder

According to a Noorzai elder the Taliban plan to continue their fight through the winter months.  Typically the winter season slows down the pace of the war but recent statements from the Taliban indicated this might change.  Read more in "Taliban vows to keep fighting this winter", The Globe and Mail, November 21, 2010.

Poll Results: Afghans Still Wary of Foreign Troops

A poll conducted by Canadian researcher Norine MacDonald has revealed some interesting information.  Only 8% of those Afghans polled realize that 9/11 is the reason that the United States invaded Afghanistan.  Many do not understand what we are trying to accomplish in Afghanistan and view us as foreign invaders occupying their country.  Read more on this topic in "How to win over the Afghans", The Washington Post, November 21, 2010.

8th Commando Kandak Avenge Death of Seven Afghan National Police in Khas Uruzgan

The 8th Commando Kandak in conjunction with U.S. Special Forces and air support were successful in the location and subsequent death of a Taliban leader who had earlier caused the death of seven Afghan National Police in Khas Uruzgan.  Read more on this operation at the link below:

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/60585/forces-kill-taliban-leader-responsible-7-afghan-police-deaths

Canadian Troops will Shift from Combat Role to Training Afghans

It is unfortunate that it took the United States military and other coalition partners so long to realize that foreign troops in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban is a difficult prospect at best and leads to alienation of the rural population against the perceived occupiers.  What we should have done is invested our time and money in training up the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.  Some folks are finally catching on.  Read more in "Teaching Afghans more important than combat: army trainer", The Montreal Gazette, November 14, 2010.

Afghan Aid Groups May Depart Due to Security Firm Decision by Karzai

President Karzai has determined that foreign private security firms must depart Afghanistan.  Unfortunately this will affect the amount of aid that is administered in Afghanistan as the international aid groups are hesitant to depend upon Afghan security forces.  Read more in "Afghan Aid Groups Plan to Leave Over Karzai Decree", The Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2010.

Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (POMLTs) in Afghanistan

The Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (POMLTs) that are currently working with the Afghan National Police are seeing their goals scaled back.  This is due to the lack of additional teams to work with the Afghan National Police (ANP).  There was a request for 143 additional POMLTs from the NATO countries but it appears they will not be forthcoming.  The teams are 15-20 men in strength and are comprised of military and civilian members with law enforcement experience.  The POMLT members live and work with the Afghan police in the field.  Read more in "NATO revises goal for police mentoring teams", Stars and Stripes, November 19, 2010.

The deployment of the POMLT teams are usually for six-months; although U.S. teams will spend one year in country.  Countries participating in the POMLT training initiative include the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.  (see POMLT Fact Sheet June 2010 ISAF).

Australian Special Forces Could Stay in Afghanistan Longer

"Australian special forces could stay on in Afghanistan in a security overwatch role after other Australian forces depart, Defence Minister Stephen Smith says. Speaking ahead of the NATO summit in Lisbon this weekend, Mr Smith said the government had been upfront in declaring Australia would not walk away from Afghanistan the day after concluding the current training task."

Read the rest of the article in "Special forces could stay in Afghanistan", The Sydney Morning Herald, November 17, 2010.

Operation Bulldog Bite Concludes in Eastern Pech River Valley of Kunar Province

KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 18) – Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Forces concluded clearing operations yesterday in the eastern Pech River Valley, Kunar province.  The combined security force moved into the Watapur Valley to search for militants and weapons caches Nov 14.

 Reports indicate more than 40 insurgents may have been killed during the security sweep of the area. As the combined Afghan and ISAF force conducted clearing operations, they discovered weapons caches containing several mortar systems with rounds; 15 recoilless rifle rounds; over a dozen rocket-propelled grenades; 20 anti-aircraft rounds; four fragmentary grenades; 400 rounds of AK-47 ammunition; 1,200 PKM (machine gun) rounds; and improvised explosive components. The combined force took deliberate steps to avoid injuring innocent civilians during the operation.

“Operation Bulldog Bite has degraded the insurgents’ ability to terrorize the people of the Pech Valley,” said U.S. Army Maj. Mary Constantino, Task Force Bastogne spokesperson. “The safety and security provided by the operations such as this provide the Afghan people of the region the opportunity to live in peace with their families.”

Source of article is the link below at ISAF:

http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/afghan-coalition-forces-conclude-operations-in-eastern-pech-valley.html

Is Aid for Afghanistan Really Working? Learn about the PRT in Lashkar Gah

A columnist explores the actions and activities of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah - Helmand's provincial capital.  He determines that some things are working yet wonders how much it can help with a government that is corrupt and inept.  Read more in "Afghanistan: can aid make a difference?", The Guardian UK, November 19, 2010.

Study Provides Clues for Taliban Motivation

A recent study by the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Canadian Global Peace and Security Fund finds that some Taliban believe they are fighting a "war of liberation" against the coalition troops in their country. The study also finds that many Afghans support the Taliban due to their perceptions of why the coalition forces are in their country.  Read more in "Taliban motivated by revenge against Western armies more than Islam: Study", The Canadian Press, November 14, 2010.

Herat Province Finds Security Elusive

Despite being heralded as one of Afghanistan's more secure provinces Herat still has some security issues.  Read more in "Even in Calm Corner of Afghanistan, Future is Murky", NPR, November 19, 2010.

Lieberman Says The Insurgency is Retreating in Afghanistan

The noted hawk and senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Joe Lieberman, told a GOP conference today that he believes the Taliban are in retreat and cautioned that :“very few” American troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan this summer.
“We really have begun to turn the tide. That means, very specifically, we are beginning to push the Taliban out in this very necessary war,” said Lieberman, who just returned from a trip to Afghanistan with Senators John McCain, of Arizona, Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

Read more: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2010/11/16/the-insurgency-is-in-retreat/#ixzz15ssUTlkK

Struggle for Villages and Towns Around Kandahar

The importance of the fight in and around Kandahar cannot be over-emphasized.  However, the fight for Kandahar is not control of the skies, limiting IED attacks (as important as that is), or setting up checkpoints.  The real struggle is for the support of the Afghan population for the district, provincial, and central government - and the Afghan Security Forces (ASF).  The fight for Kandahar is currently being waged in the villages and towns outside of the city where in most cases the coalition and Afghan forces control the terrain during the day and the Taliban control the terrain at night with night letters, intimidation, and assassinations.  Read more about the fight in the towns and villages in "Afghanistan's three parallel wars", The Observer, November 14, 2010.

NATO Steps up Assaults on the Taliban

"Coalition forces have increased the pace of military operations in Afghanistan to record levels, achieving battlefield successes against the Taliban as NATO prepares to discuss the future of the war at a summit this weekend in Portugal. Warplanes dropped a record 1,000 bombs and other munitions in October, up from 660 in October 2009, according to coalition statistics. The number of Special Forces-led raids against insurgent leaders has increased sixfold over last year."

Read more in "NATO ramps up attacks on Taliban in Afghanistan", USA Today, November 18, 2010.

Security Bubbles in Afghanistan - Can They Last?

The concept of pushing coalition forces out to small outposts in the rural parts of Afghanistan has been implemented across the country.  These small outposts are sometimes referred to as "security bubbles".  Read about one such security bubble that Italian troops are manning in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan.  See "In Afghanistan, Can NATO's Security Bubbles Last?", NPR, November 17, 2010.

NATO War Planners Want Additional Help from Australia in Kandahar Province

NATO war planners are looking for other nations to plug the gap that the Canadian forces will leave in Kandahar Province once their withdrawal is complete next year.  Australia has been approached for more ground troops.  Read more in "NATO to ask for more Diggers, defence sources say", The Australian, November 18, 2010.

Ulema Council of Kandahar Rendered Ineffective

The Kandahar Branch of the Ulema Council has been rendered ineffective - partially due to the assassinations of its members by the Taliban but also because it has not been embraced by other religious scholars in Afghanistan.  The Ulema Council was set up by the Afghan government to bring about a moderate religious force that could help build support for the government.  In Kandahar it has been relatively ineffective.  Read more in "Anti-Taliban mullah lonely man in Kandahar amid threats, squabbling", Winnipeg Free Press, November 14, 2010.

IEDs a Constant Problem in Kandahar

IEDs have become the primary threat to coalition forces conducting operations in Kandahar.  The US has spent billions of dollars trying to defeat the IED threat but the Taliban have still managed to deploy the bombs and cause many deaths and injuries.  Read more on this topic in "Taliban-placed IEDs threaten lives and stability in Kandahar, Afghanistan", The Christian Science Monitor, November 17, 2010.

Life in Sangin (Helmand Province), Afghanistan for Royal Marines

The Royal Marines of 40 Commando have returned from a brutal six-month deployment to Sangin - located in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  The unit suffered many dead and wounded comrades.  Many of the deaths incurred were from IEDs.  Read an article about their tour and homecoming - see "Royal Marines speak of horrible reality of life on patrol in Afghanistan", The Guardian, November 17, 2010.

Afghan Ethnic Minorities On Guard About Karzai Peace Initiatives

"PANJSHIR VALLEY, Afghanistan—President Hamid Karzai's moves to make peace with the Taliban are scaring Afghanistan's ethnic minorities into taking their weapons out of mothballs and preparing for a fight.  Mindful that Karzai's overtures come with NATO's blessing, and that U.S. and NATO forces will eventually leave, they worry that power will shift back into the hands of the forces they helped to overthrow in 2001. Such a peace deal won't be easy in a country with a complex ethnic makeup and a tradition of vendetta killings. With ethnic and tribal differences having sharpened during the violence of the last 30 years, there's little indication that Karzai's overtures are gaining much traction.  Still, some mujahedeen -- commanders of the Northern Alliance of minority groups that fought the Taliban -- are taking no chances. They speak openly of the weaponry they have kept despite a U.N. disarmament drive."

Read the rest of the article in "Wary of Taliban, Afghan mujahedeen ready for fight", The Boston Globe, November 13, 2010.

Canada's Withdrawal From Afghanistan Includes Civilian Workers and Officials

Canada is, in addition to removing combat troops from Afghanistan, also looking to withdraw some of its aid workers and civilian advisers and officials.  It will continue an Afghan troop training mission.  Read more in "Canada quitting Kandahar and making deep cuts to Afghan aid", The Globe and Mail, November 17, 2010.

Canadian Trainers to be sent to Afghanistan

Up to 1,000 Canadian trainers and support staff could be sent to Afghanistan.  Read more in "Canadian trainers could be spread across Afghanistan", National Post, November 12, 2010.

Foreign Trainers and $1 Billion a Month to Build Afghan Army

The US is betting that recent operations with its troop surge will have put a dent into the Taliban's fighting force and caused it to be less effective.  Over the long-term the strategy is to train the Afghan army.  Read more on this topic in "U.S. bets foreign trainers, $1-billion a month can build powerful Afghan army", The Globe and Mail, November 16, 2010.

Group Seeks Help on Afghan Ban on Private Security Contractors

"Private contractors supporting multimillion-dollar development projects in Afghanistan are seeking an exemption from the Afghan government's controversial ban on the use of security contractors to guard key infrastructure projects.  On Monday, the Professional Services Council, an Arlington, Va., trade association, sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking that she advocate for the full exemption of private development firms and nongovernmental organizations from the prohibition on hiring private security. PSC represents many of the private development firms in Afghanistan that the U.S. Agency for International Development has hired."

Read the rest of the article in "Group seeks exemption to Afghan private security ban", Government Executive, November 10, 2010.

Petraeus and His War with The Beltway

It appears that General Petraeus has had his way with the Washington crowd.  2011 is now 2014. Read more on this topic in "Foreign Policy: Petraeus' War Inside The Beltway", NPR, November 15, 2010.

Survey of Afghan People Conducted by The Asia Foundation

A recent poll conducted by The Asia Foundation is being used by supporters and detractors of the Afghan War to support their arguments.  The polls seems to be legitimate yet it is interpreted in various ways depending on your outlook of the war.  You will find the media is citing it quite frequently in news postings.  The blurb below is from The Asia Foundations website and provides info on the survey.

"On November 9, 2010, The Asia Foundation released findings from Afghanistan in 2010: A Survey of the Afghan People – the broadest public opinion poll in the country. Conducted by The Asia Foundation's office in Afghanistan, the 2010 survey polled 6,467 Afghan citizens across all 34 provinces in the country on security, development, economy, government, corruption, and women's issues to assess the mood and direction of the country. In-person interviews were conducted from June 18 – July 5, 2010 with a multi-stage random sample of Afghan citizens 18 years of age and older, both women and men, from different social, economic, and ethnic communities in rural and urban areas."

Read or download the survey by The Asia Foundation entitled "Afghanistan in 2010: A Survey of the Afghan People" .

Karzai Wants U.S. Troop Levels Reduced in Afghanistan

President Karzai of Afghanistan has once again called for a reduced U.S. troop footprint and the ending of Special Operations night raids - saying that both are counterproductive and incite resistance to the Afghan government and coalition forces. This puts him at odds with the coalition military that believe recent successes have been a result of the 30,000 troop surge and the very effective night raids by Special Operations forces that are rolling up mid-level Taliban leaders.  Read more in "Karzai wants U.S. to reduce military operations in Afghanistan", The Washington Post, November 14, 2010.

Interview with Qazi Mohammad Amin Waqad - A Veteran Jihadi Leader (By Jamestown Foundation, Nov 2010)

"Qazi Mohammad Amin Waqad is a former member of the Hizb-e-Islami leadership council, a party led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Waqad was one of three key anti-Soviet leaders of the mujahideen and served as Hekmatyar's lieutenant. He is a graduate of the Islamic Law Faculty of Kabul University and is now a leading member of the National Front, an opposition group to Hamid Karzai's administration. Waqad recently spoke with Jamestown analyst Waliullah Rahmani in Kabul."

Read the interview here at "Afghanistan's Veteran Jihadi Leader: An Interview with Qazi Mohammad Amin Waqad", The Jamestown Foundation, November 2010.

CIA World Factbook on Afghanistan

The CIA World Factbook on Afghanistan provides a wealth of background information on the country to include geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues.  To view click on the link below:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html

CIA Predator Attacks in Pakistan More Effective Than Media Reports

"Widely-cited reports of the inaccuracy and disproportionality of civilian to militant deaths in the CIA’s ongoing Predator drone campaign against the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Pakistan are grossly misleading. The most detailed database compiled to date, assembled by the authors of this article, indicates (among other important findings) that the strikes have not only been impressively accurate, but have achieved and maintained a greater proportionality than either ground operations in the area or targeting campaigns elsewhere."

Read the rest of the article at "New Light on the Accuracy of the CIA's Predator Drone Campaign in Pakistan", The Jamestown Foundation, November 2010.

Afghan COIN Academy Briefing by 1st Commando Brigade G3

"CAMP MOREHEAD, Afghanistan - The Afghan Commando Brigade was represented by one of their own at the Counterinsurgency Training Center-Afghanistan, also known as the COIN Academy, Nov. 6 at Camp Julien in Kabul, Afghanistan.  Afghan Col. Bismellah Wazari, 1st Commando Brigade G3, briefed a wide range of attendees, from multiple countries, on the progress Afghan National Army Commandos and ANA Special Forces are making and how."  Read the rest of the article in "Commandos, ANASF represented at COIN Academy", DVIDS, November 13, 2010.

"The Last Patrol" in Arghandab River Valley of Afghanistan - Atlantic Monthly (Nov 2010)

The Atlantic Monthly has published an article about a platoon of the 82nd Airborne Division that has just completed a one-year tour in Afghanistan entitled "The Last Patrol" in the November 2010 issue.  The platoon suffered numerous casualties in one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan - second platoon of Charlie Company of the 2-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division - was posted in the Arghandab River Valley near Kandahar, Afghanistan.  The Soldiers of 2nd Platoon named their area of operations "The Devils Playground".

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/11/the-last-patrol/8266/

Survey Says Afghans Optimistic on Direction of Country

A recent survey has found that some Afghans are becoming more optimistic about the course of the war.  The survey was conducted by the Asia Foundation - a U.S. based organization - and was financed by U.S. AID.  Some say that the survey is overly optimistic citing the need for the U.S. to show some positive results in the war.  Read more in "Nearly half of Afghans believe country is moving in the right direction", The Christian Science Monitor, November 10, 2010.

Adm Mullen says Afghans have resources needed to win

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11, 2010 – After years of under-resourcing the war in Afghanistan, the coalition has put in place the pieces needed to win the counterinsurgency battle in the country, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen made the comments as part of the Bernard Brodie Distinguished Lecture Series on the UCLA campus here. Renee Montagne, the daughter of a Marine and co-host of NPR’s Morning Edition, hosted led conversation.

Mullen said that while the United States has been at war in Afghanistan since 2001, only recently has the conflict received the attention and resources it requires. The war followed an arc that was promising in the early days, but seemed to plateau until 2006, when the Taliban came back with a vengeance.
When Mullen became chairman in 2007, Iraq was the main U.S. conflict. The surge was in full swing and American forces were spending 15 months at assignments in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. There were more than 150,000 Americans in Iraq and under 40,000 in Afghanistan. It was a conservation of force mission in Afghanistan, meaning the United States was sending just enough resources to maintain the combat forces there, he said.

Read the rest of the article at the link below:
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=61658

Operation Dragon Strike - Different Views of Outcome

Operation Dragon Strike has concluded in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan.  A reporter has commented on the success (and failures) of this major operation.  Read more in "U.S. Thrust Has Unintended Effect on Kandahar City", NPR, November 12, 2010.

Leaving Afghanistan - 2011 or 2014?

It appears there is a shift in the strategic communications about U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan.  The withdrawal date of summer 2011 has shifted to the right it seems.  Read more in "U.S. Tweaks Message on Troops in Afghanistan", The New York Times, November 10, 2010.

Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Delivers Humanitarian Supplies in Afghanistan

A Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is actively working with Afghan troops to deliver humanitarian supplies within the Paktya province.  Read more in "PRT links Afghan faces to Afghan progress", CJTF 82, November 10, 2010.

Are We Winning in Kandahar, Afghanistan? Time Magazine, Nov 9, 2010

A Time Magazine article questions whether we are winning the fight in Kandahar.  The article says that optimistic reports by the military authorities are at odds with what the media and NGOs are saying is happening on the ground.  Read more in "Afghanistan: Is the U.S. Military Succeeding in Kandahar", Time Magazine, November 9, 2010.

UAV Attacks in Afghanistan

A recent article by Peter Bergen has been posted online that addresses the topic of armed UAVs attacking insurgent targets in Pakistan.  Read "The Drone Wars: Killing by remote control in Pakistan", The Atlantic, December 2010.

Improvements in Helmand Province Security

The governor of Helmand Province in Afghanistan has stated that security is getting better.  An influx of U.S. Marines with abundant resources has helped the security situation.  Read more in "Helmand governor: US improving security in Sangin", The Washington Post, November 3, 2010.

Progress Seen in South of Afghanistan

A recent online news article states that some progress is being made in southern Afghanistan.  Read more in "Afghan villagers get stronger against Taliban", USA Today, November 4, 2010.

Afghan Government in Kandahar Failing

While the security situation in Kandahar is improving the Afghan government is not meeting its objectives in setting up a civil administration.  Read more in "Afghan government falters in Kandahar", The Washington Post, November 3, 2010.

Canada Looks to Train Afghan Police in Southern Afghanistan

The head of the Canadian forces serving in Afghanistan recently stated that his troops are trying to train and expand the effectiveness of Afghan National Police (ANP) units - rather than try to field Afghan Local Police (ALP).  Read more in "Canadian general would rather boost Afghan police", CTV News, November 3, 2010.

Canada's PRT in Kandahar 'Wildy Successful'

A U.S. diplomat who has worked in the south of Afghanistan recently had kind words for a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) headed up by Canadian forces.  Read "Canada's PRT in Afghanistan 'wildly successful': US diplomat", The Montreal Gazette, October 31, 2010.

Australians Wonder About Matiullah Khan of Oruzgan Province

Australians are questioning its armed forces involvement with a warlord called Matiullah Khan in Afghanistan.  Read more in "Cultural norms in Afghanistan", Brisbane Times, October 31, 2010.

Regional Command East on Twitter

Do you want to keep pace with events in Regional Command East Afghanistan?  You can follow along on Twitter.  Click on the link below:

http://twitter.com/rcea

Taliban Dispute Effectiveness of Special Operations Night Raids in Afghanistan

The Taliban is disputing the effectiveness of Special Forces raids against high- and mid-level Taliban leaders.  Read more in "Taliban claim success against Nato's night raids", The Guardian, October 31, 2010.