Ammonium Nitrate - Key Ingredient of IEDs in Afghanistan

Ammonium nitrate is a key ingredient of IEDs in Afghanistan.  The coalition forces are attempting to limit the availability to insurgents in order to decrease IED incidents.  Read more in "U.S. cracks down on IED chemical in Afghanistan", Army Times, December 2, 2010.

ABC News Doing Special Series on Afghanistan

"ABC News announced the launch of a special series on the war in Afghanistan, "Afghanistan: Can We Win?" The series starts on Sunday, and will examine the toll the war has taken, whether the US should withdraw from the country and what a "victory" in Afghanistan would look like."

Read the rest of the article in "ABC News Launching Special Series on Afghanistan", The Huffington Post, December 2, 2010.

New, Younger Breed of Taliban Leaders

The recent months-long attack by U.S. Special Operations Forces against the high- and mid-level Taliban leadership has had some unintended results.  A new, younger breed of Taliban leader is emerging that is taking the place of the older Taliban leaders who have been caught, killed, are lying low or gone to Pakistan.  Read more in "Afghanistan sees new breed of dangerous young Taliban leader", The Telegraph, December 3, 2010.

COIN Qualification Standards Established for Afghanistan

The DoD has established a checklist of essential counterinsurgency skills needed by troops deployed to Afghanistan.  They are called the "COIN Qualification Standards".  The standards are a list of nine major skill areas with roughly 52 sub tasks that will focus a units' training before they deploy to Afghanistan.  Read more in "COIN standards for Afghanistan approved", Marine Corps Times, December 2, 2010.

Iran Undermining U.S. Effort in Afghanistan

Iran has been busy undermining the efforts of the U.S. and other coalition partners in Afghanistan.  Recently leaked U.S. Embassy cables (leaked by WikiLeaks) show that Iran is providing "lethal support" to the insurgents.  Read more in "US embassy cables: Iran busy trying to undermine the US in Afghanistan", The Guardian, December 2, 2010.

Afghanistan's Foreign Fighters - Some European Citizens Fighting for the Taliban

Most foreign fighters in Afghanistan fighting for the Taliban are usually Arabs, Chechens, Pakistani, or from the former Soviet republics of Tajikistan or Uzbekistan.  But occasionally one will find a British Muslim from the United Kingdom.  Read more in "Afghanistan's foreign fighters in the shadows", The Guardian, November 24, 2010.

Report Will Show That British Aid Worker Killed by SEALs

Would-be rescuers will be cited as the cause of death of Linda Norgrove.  Norgrove was a British aid worker in Afghanistan who was kidnapped.  U.S. Navy SEALs attempted a rescue but accidentally killed her during the attempt.  Read more in "Linda Norgrove killed by US special forces, report will say", The Telegraph, November 28, 2010.

Counterinsurgency Leaders Course Attendees Learn about Village Stability Operations (VSO)

Students attending the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Afghanistan are learning about how the Village Stability Operations (VSO) concept is implemented in rural villages outside of the Afghan government control. The Afghan Local Police (ALP) initiative, a part of VSO, was also presented by speakers from CFSOCC-A.  Read more on this topic in "COIN Leadership Course Students Gain Insight", NTM-A, December 1, 2010.

State Department Upbeat About Success in Marjah, Afghanistan

The battle for Marjah, Afghanistan did not go as smooth as it could have. The "clearing" operation went well although there was some tough fighting and many casualties.  The "hold" operation is still in full-swing and basically the coalition and Afghan forces hold Marjah even though IEDs are still a problem and "night letters" are still posted as a means of intimidation.  Of course, a big part of "holding" is not "leaving".  The "build" part of "clear, hold, and build" is now in the works as well.  According to the State Department - this phase of the operation is going well.  See "Marjah: Progress on the Road to Stability and Prosperity", State Dept Blog, November 27, 2010.

Jamestown Foundation Terrorism Conference - Dec 9, 2010

The Jamestown Foundation 4th Annual Terrorism Conference will be held on December 9, 2010 in Washington, D.C.  Learn more about the conference at the link below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/941206173

Special Forces Strikes Take Out Thousands of Taliban in 90 Days

Relentless strikes by coalition and Afghan special forces units have caused havoc among the Taliban leadership according to some sources.  Read more in "90-day blitz takes out 3,200 Taliban", The Sun, November 30, 2010.

Taliban's Shadow and Parallel Government in Afghanistan

The Afghan government is corrupt, ineffective, and does not reach out to the rural areas of Afghanistan.  Into this void the Taliban have set up a shadow, parallel government through fear and intimidation but also delivering on basic needs and services that the Kabul regime should be providing.  Read more in "Talking to the Taliban about life after occupation", Guardian, November 26, 2010.

Oxfam Australia Comes Out Against Arming Local Militias in Afghanistan

Oxfam Australia has come out against community defense initiatives in Afghanistan citing the dangerous aspects of militias and lack of ISAF control over armed village bands. 

"The agencies argue ISAF should abandon dangerous schemes such as the so-called “community defense initiatives”, which involve supporting local militia groups to fight the Taliban. They say that the international forces must immediately stop arming these community militias. Recruits are barely vetted, receive little training and are often accountable only to the local commanders. Far from helping to stabilise the country, they are likely to contribute to the growing instability."

Read more at the link below:

http://www.oxfam.org.au/media/releases/?p=3775

Restrepo Documentary on Afghanistan Premieres on National Geographic Monday, November 29, 2010

The movie Restrepo premieres on National Geographic on Monday, November 29, 2010 at 9:00 pm EST.  The documentary follows one platoon for one year in a valley in Eastern Afghanistan.  The filmmakers are Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington.  The film was a Sundance Film Festival award winner.  A description of the film from the National Geographic website follows:

"The feature-length documentary chronicles the deployment of a platoon of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley.  The movie focuses on a remote 15-man outpost, "Restrepo", named after a platoon medic who was killed in action.  It was considered one of the most dangerous postings in the U.S. military. This is an entirely experimental film: the cameras never leave the soldiers; there are no interviews with generals or diplomats.  The only goal is to make viewers feel as if they have just been through a 90-minute deployment.  This is war, full stop.  The conclusions are up to you".

Click here to see the National Geographic web page on Restrepo.  The movie can be ordered from Amazon.com at the following link - Restrepo.

Units Scheduled for Afghan Deployment for 2011

The Department of Defense has announced some unit deployments for 2011.  See the link below for more info:

http://www.military.com/news/article/dod-announces-2011-afghan-deployments.html?wh=news

Map of NATO Troop Disposition in Afghanistan (Nov 2010)

The link below will bring you to a map of NATO troop disposition in Afghanistan.  The United States provides the largest contingent followed by the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Canada.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11795066

http://www.afghanwarnews.info/maps.htm

Afghanistan Troop Drawdown to Proceed Slowly

The drawdown of troops is expected to take some time.  Read more in "Troop drawdown in Afghanistan expected to go slowly", The Fayetteville Observer, November 26, 2010.

Job Creation in Afghanistan Designed to Weaken Support for Taliban

Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Paul Brinkley directs a Pentagon task force with the mission of creating jobs in Afghanistan.  The intent is to help the Afghans develop an economy that will eventually provide income for the maintenance of its security forces as well as a functioning government.  Read more about this project in "Job creation will weaken Taliban in Afghanistan, Pentagon official says", The Dallas News, November 16, 2010.

The Cost of Afghan War to Rise

With the news that 2011 is the "start" of the troop withdrawal instead of when the bulk of the troops would start leaving folks have been looking at what this date slip to 2014 will mean for our pocketbook.  About another $125 Billion is what some estimates are.  Read more in "New Afghan war plans could cost US taxpayers an extra $125 billion", The Christian Science Monitor, November 19, 2010.

NATO Passes Soviet Union in Afghanistan Occupation Length

NATO troops have now been in Afghanistan longer than the Soviet Union occupation that ended some twenty years ago.  Read more in "Nato in Afghanistan longer than Soviet Union: analysis", The Telegraph, November 26, 2010.

Afghan Local Police (ALP) Recruits Graduate Course in Paktiya

"KABUL, Afghanistan – More than 70 villagers graduated from the Afghan Local Police course in Chamkani District, Paktiya province Tuesday.

The course is a Ministry of the Interior initiative to train and equip local nationals to protect their villages. Over three weeks, the students are given classes on the Afghan constitution, penal code, basic marksmanship and first aid.

The Chamkanai graduation is the second ALP course to be completed, the first was conducted in the Dand Patan District. Graduation certificates were presented by Lt. Col. Mohammad Khan, the Chamkani police chief and Saadat Khan, the Chamkani sub-governor.

After the graduation ceremony, the students are issued weapons, uniforms and vehicles provided by MOI. The graduates represent three tribes from the northern Chamkani District."

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/59579/second-afghan-local-police-course-graduates-paktiya

How to Fix Afghanistan's Judiciary System - Recommendations by International Crisis Group

The International Crisis Group is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflict.  The ICG has just release a comprehensive report that identifies the problems with the Afghanistan judiciary system and provides recommendations on how to fix it.  A brief description taken from the Executive Summary of the report is provided below.  The link below will take you to the organizations website where you can view the entire Executive Summary and read the report or download it (Adobe Acrobat file). 

"Afghanistan’s justice system is in a catastrophic state of disrepair. Despite repeated pledges over the last nine years, the majority of Afghans still have little or no access to judicial institutions. Lack of justice has destabilised the country and judicial institutions have withered to near non-existence. Many courts are inoperable and those that do function are understaffed. Insecurity, lack of proper training and low salaries have driven many judges and prosecutors from their jobs. Those who remain are highly susceptible to corruption. Indeed, there is very little that is systematic about the legal system, and there is little evidence that the Afghan government has the resources or political will to tackle the challenge. The public, consequently, has no confidence in the formal justice sector amid an atmosphere of impunity. A growing majority of Afghans have been forced to accept the rough justice of Taliban and criminal powerbrokers in areas of the country that lie beyond government control."

See "Reforming Afghanistan's Broken Judiciary", Asia Report No 195, International Crisis Group, November 17, 2010.

Tanker Officer Defends Use of Heavy Tanks in Afghanistan

The recent decision by the defense department to deploy 14 M1 Abrams tanks to Afghanistan to assist in the counterinsurgency fight has stirred some mixed reaction.  Many question if the decision is wise citing a variety of reasons.  Tanks are not exactly a "light footprint" that some say is needed in a COIN fight.  They separate the Soldier from the population with who he is supposed to win over (hearts and minds)". The heavy tanks also will bring up bad memories of the Soviet invasion and occupation.  However, a young armor officer does bring up some valid points - one being survivability on the battlefield.  Read his defense of the use of heavy tanks in "Tanks to Afghanistan, a Soldier Writes", At War Blog, The New York Times, November 22, 2010.

Australians to Get Multicam Uniforms for Afghanistan

It appears that Australian troops will now be sporting the "multicam" uniform in Afghanistan. 

"The major changes to diggers' uniforms will see the current khaki and brown "cams" replaced with the US-style green and sand uniforms. Australia's Special Forces troops in Afghanistan have been trialling the Multicam uniform and now all Australian soldiers heading "outside the wire" will wear it. The Defence Force has placed an urgent order with the US to get the uniforms, which reportedly cost around $400 each, to troops in Afghanistan."

Read more in "Diggers to get US-style uniforms", ABC News, November 19, 2010.

Armor in Afghanistan? A Retired Marine Officer Comments

The introduction of M1A1 tanks by the Marines in Helmand Province has generated some comments from the military bloggers.  Read one article on this topic in "Is Armor Antithetical to Good COIN?", Small Wars Journal, November 26, 2010.

A Village Forms a Militia to Oppose the Taliban - Tarbuz Guzar

A village in Konduz Province has formed a militia to oppose the spread of Taliban influence.  Read more in "Into Taliban Territory: The Beginnings of the Tarbuz Guzar Militia", Radio Free Europe, November 23, 2010.

Casualty Data on Afghanistan War by Congressional Research Service (Oct 28, 2010)

The Department of Defense and other entities tracks casualty data from the Afghanistan War.  Read a recent report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).  See "Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians", CRS, October 28, 2010.

Aid Groups Negotiating with Taliban in Afghanistan

Aid groups working in Afghanistan are communicating with the Taliban in an effort to gain safe passage for its workers.  The independent NGOs are trying to put distance between their organizations and the coalition forces. 

"KABUL—Independent aid groups operating in Afghanistan are increasingly distancing themselves from the U.S.-led coalition and trying to forge safe-passage agreements with insurgents, betting that a show of neutrality will protect their work amid an intensifying war. The Taliban are reciprocating with a more moderate approach to some aid workers, while continuing attacks on those seen as affiliated with the coalition. Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban's supreme leader, recently issued formal instructions to help nongovernment organizations that register with them, Taliban officials say."

Read more in "Aid groups seek safety pacts with Taliban", The Wall Street Journal, November 22, 2010.

A Dispiriting Report on Afghanistan

A writer provides some insight into the difficulties of understanding Afghanistan. See "Statism fails in Afghanistan, too", The Washington Times, November 25, 2010.

Translaters for Afghan War Hard to Find

The Army needs interpreters for its many units in Afghanistan but finds it isn't easy finding them. See "Army has tough time recruiting translators for Afghanistan war", Los Angeles Times, November 26, 2010.

Afghan Local Police or ALP - Militias or the Solution to Security in Afghanistan?

The military is banking a lot on the Afghan Local Police (ALP) initiative.  The concept is to train and arm local villagers in an attempt to get them to provide security for their community against the Taliban.  Led by U.S. Special Forces teams - this latest scheme may work.  However, it needs a funding source and the SF teams need the latitude to operate independently unconstrained by conventional battalion or brigade commanders and their staffs. There are thoughts of expanding it beyond the Special Forces control and therein lies a problem.  While Special Forces troops are trained and experienced in training and controlling indigenous forces it is not so apparent that our conventional troops are.  So . . . can you spell armed thugs in the villages without any supervision?  Read an article critical of this latest initiative at "Quick fixes won't aid Afghan civilians", Politico, November 19, 2010.

Special Forces Officer Comments on Utility of Tanks, MATV and MRAPs in Afghanistan

A Special Forces officer with recent experience in Afghanistan writes a column providing insight on the utility of tanks in Afghanistan.  The writer also served as the director for Afghanistan in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense and as an advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney on South Asia and counterterrorism. 

"You ask us to stand up to the Talibs while you hide in your tanks from their bombs," one elderly Afghan man said incredulously as dozens of other wizened elders from the powerful Afghan Mangal tribe nodded in agreement. The group was sitting in a semicircle on an oversized rug in front of several bowls of dates and nuts in a concrete community building that doubled as a school, police station, and meeting hall. Most of the men had a mixture of shotguns, old British Enfield rifles, or AK-47s slung over their shoulders, and several were better equipped than the Afghan National Army soldiers who accompanied us. A number of the elders were also leaders of the Mangal's arbakai, or tribal militia, that protected tribal interests. They mostly stood stone-faced as their spokesman recounted a long history of the Mangal's support for the Afghan government and then chastised me for the Afghan Army and coalition's lack of support for his tribe and our lack of presence in his valley.

The author delivers a resounding and convincing argument for less armor rather than more.  If only our general officers could find the time to read the article and heed his advice.  Read the rest of the article in "Tanks, But No Tanks", Foreign Policy, November 24, 2010.

Special Forces Using Grey Eagle Drone in Afghanistan

A recent news blog states that U.S. Army Special Forces are using an armed drone named the Grey Eagle.  See "New cool armed drone for US special forces in Afghanistan", November 24, 2010.

Pentagon Report on Afghanistan Provides Little Signs of Progress

The Pentagon report on Afghanistan has spurred numerous press articles.  Some writers look at the positive signs and some writers say the report paints a depressing picture.  Read one such article looking at the negatives entitled "War in Afghanistan: Pentagon report cites progress, provides little", The Christian Science Monitor, November 24, 2010.

Will the Taliban Reintegrate?

Will the Taliban reintegrate into Afghan society?  A British general seems to think that the surgical strikes against high- and mid-level Taliban leadership is having an effect and that they will seek to reintegrate.  Read more in "Taliban being driven to negotiating table by precision strikes", The Telegraph, November 25, 2010.

What Happens When NATO Leaves Afghanistan?

Many are wondering what happens in July 2011 (or is it July 2014) once NATO forces depart Afghanistan.  A common question is will the Afghan Security Forces (ASF) be able to handle the Taliban?  Read an article on this topic entitled "Can Afghan forces bring security when Nato leaves?", BBC News, November 19, 2010.

US Seeks Wider Role for CIA in Pakistan

The U.S. is searching for solutions on how to hit the Taliban in Pakistan.  While the Pakistan government may not approve U.S. ground troops it could possibly turn a blind eye to an increase of CIA paramilitary capability.  Read more in "Wider Role for CIA Sought", The Wall Street Journal, October 23, 2010.

Reconciliation with the Taliban - Not so Much after Fake Negotiator is Uncovered

Reconciliation was in the news for much of the past several months.  NATO and Afghan governmental spokesmen were issuing statements indicating that the intensity of the Special Operations raids against the Taliban leadership were pushing the Taliban to the negotiating table.  They cited ongoing negotiations with the number two leader of the Taliban.  All came to a halt when they found out the number 2 guy was a fake - a shopkeeper from Pakistan.  Read more in "Afghanistan shifts from reconciliation after Taliban impostor revealed", The Christian Science Monitor, November 23, 2010.

Infantry Battalion to Assist Special Operations with Afghan Community Police Forces

Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez has confirmed that a U.S. Army Infantry Battalion will be sent to Afghanistan to work with U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) in the development of the local community police program.  The program, called Afghan Local Police (ALP), is an integral part of the various village security programs the coalition has rolled out over the past year to connect the local rural areas with the central government.  Read more in "With an eye on a drawdown, U.S. growing its force in Afghanistan", Stars and Stripes, November 23, 2010.

24 Non-Military Solutions to the Afghan War

The New World Strategies Coalition, Inc. offers 24 non-military solutions for the Afghan War.  Some interesting reading.  The coaliton is a group of "private contractors who provide strategies and creative solutions to solve problems." View these at the link below:

http://newworldstrategiescoalition.org/24_NonMilitary_Solutions.html

More News on the Corrupt Karzai Government in Afghanistan

An article that sums up the corruption of the Karzai government can be found at "Making Afghanistan's fraudulent regime seem barely credible", The Huffington Post, November 24, 2010.

British Public Voicing Concerns on Afghan War

The British public is becoming increasingly concerned over the United Kingdom's involvement in the Afghan War.  Read more in "British Public Growing Weary of Afghan War", Voice of America, November 23, 2010.

Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan - Pentagon Report on Afghan War

The Pentagon has finished its bi-annual report on the state of the Afghan War.  The report, entitled "Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan" includes data up to the end of September 30, 2010 and is a compilation of reports from many different agencies.  The report cites progress in some areas (increased capability of Afghan Army) but highlights problem areas that still are perplexing the coalition (such as recruitment of Pashtuns into the Afghan Army).  The report is mandated by Congress every six months.  Read more in "Progress in Afghan war called uneven", The Washington Post, November 24, 2010.

Interactive Province Map of Afghanistan

The link below will take you to an interactive province map for Afghanistan.  Once it opens, click on the province you want to learn more about and you will find additional information.

http://www.isaf.nato.int/map-usfora/index.php

Asia Foundation Conducts a Poll: Afghan's Say Things are Improving

"A recent poll reveals that many Afghans actually believe things are getting better — slowly, to be sure, but improving despite the odds. The survey was directed by the Asia Foundation in Kabul. It was the sixth public opinion poll conducted by the foundation since 2004, providing a snapshot of public opinion in Afghanistan over time. The 634 trained Afghan pollsters interviewed 6,500 Afghans, almost equally divided between men and women and including all ethnic groups, across the country’s 34 provinces. When instability or the presence of fighting placed areas off limits, sampling replacements were made in the same region. The polling was done two months before the September parliamentary elections."

Read the rest of the article in "The Afghan View", The New York Times, November 18, 2010.

Canadians Leasing MI-17 Russian Helicopters for Use in Kandahar

"The Defence Department has quietly acquired a new fleet of helicopters for combat missions in Afghanistan, but is refusing to provide details about how much the deal cost taxpayers or how many aircraft are operating. The lease of the Russian-designed Mi-17s helicopters for use in Kandahar province is shrouded in secrecy."

Read the rest of the article in "Details on chopper deal kept secret", The Montreal Gazette, November 22, 2010.

Route Clearance in Wardak Province, Afghanistan

"WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan – For Afghan civilians, Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Force personnel traveling throughout Afghanistan, clearing routes of improvised explosive devices is necessary to keep everyone safe and alive.  Soldiers assigned to Task Force Slugger’s “Apache” Troop, 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, conducted route clearance and route reconnaissance in the Maiden Shahr and Nerkh districts of Wardak Province Nov. 18. Nothing was unique about that day’s mission; these Soldiers clear Afghan roads of insurgent-emplaced IEDs day in and day out."

Read the rest of the article - "Route-clearance soldiers help to keep Afghan roads safe, build relationships", CJTF-101, November 23, 2010.

In The Graveyard of Empires by Seth Jones

In the Graveyard of Empires is a book about the Afghan war.  Dr. Seth Jones has deep Afghanistan experience, has wrote numerous books and publications about the war in Afghanistan, and recently served as an advisor and plans officer to the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command (CFSOCC-A) in Afghanistan.  The book examines what went wrong in Afghanistan after the extremely successful operation to topple the Taliban regime in the fall of 2001.  The book provides you a historical background to the Afghan war to include the Soviet invasion, the mujahideen fight against the Russians, the civil war after the Russian withdrawal, the rise of the Taliban up to their overthrow by the Northern Alliance and the U.S. Special Forces.  It then provides a historical context of how the war has progressed - and how it has gone wrong.  The author concludes with an analysis of how to win the war and provides some sound recommendations on the way forward.  Click on the link below to read more reviews about the book or to purchase from Amazon.com.

In the Graveyard of Empires: America's War in Afghanistan

Foreign Forces in Afghanistan

A BBC article poses questions and provides answers about foreign troops in Afghanistan and lends insight as to how the conflict is proceeding.  See "Q&A: Foreign forces in Afghanistan", November 18, 2010.

Afghan's Uneasy Over New Withdrawal Date for U.S. Troops (2014)

The news from Lisbon and Washington that a new withdrawal date has been set for coalition forces has received a mixed reaction.  Some Afghans say it won't make any difference while others worry of the security vacuum that will be left.  Read more in "Afghans: Divided Over NATO's New 2014 Target", Time, November 22, 2010.