Canadian Senate Human Rights Committee Wants Afghan Women Protected

A human rights committee of the Canadian Senate has stated that protecting women's rights in Afghanistan should be a focus of the aid efforts by Canadian troops and others.  Read more in "Focus future Afghan efforts on women, report urges", The Star, December 16, 2010.

Night Letters Part of Taliban Intimidation Campaign

The Taliban have been successfully intimidating the Afghan population through the use of night letters.  Letters left on doors of village elders, school teachers, and others who are seen as cooperating with coalition forces.  Read more in "Chilling night letters from Taliban intimidate Afghans", Stars and Stripes, November 30, 2010.

A Correspondent Writes on Progress in Kandahar

A correspondent revisits Kandahar - comparing today to a visit in 2000.  See "Ex-Taliban: From death threat to hope", CNN, December 15, 2010.

Taliban Encroaching on Area Around Bagram, Afghanistan

The Taliban are slowly making inroads into the villages around Bagram Air Field (BAF) in Afghanistan.  Although it is home to the coalitions biggest base in Afghanistan the military's influence seldom reaches beyond its fortified walls.  The Shomali Plain, where Bagram sits, is home to an agricultural hub that has seen some prosperous times.  However, these good times may soon end if the Taliban can extend its reach even further.  Read more in "Afghanistan: Taliban Encroaching on "Safe" District Surrounding American Base", Eurasianet.org, December 10, 2010.

Armed Militias Threaten Stability of North Afghanistan

Armed militias have threatened the stability and peace of northern Afghanistan.  The turmoil of the militias preying on the population and the lack of a central government presence (if present it is corrupt or inept) have opened the door to the re-emergence of Taliban influence in the area.  Read more in "Taliban Extend Reach to North, Where Armed Groups Reign", The New York Times, December 15, 2010.

Life in Kunduz Province for Villages Caught in the Middle

A recent article by Alissa J. Rubin in the At War blog of the New York Times describes how the ordinary Afghan is caught in the middle between the Taliban, coalition forces, corrupt Afghan officials, and illegal militias.  Read more in "The Americans Are in Our House. What Will the Taliban Think?", At War, December 15, 2010.

Briefing by Vice Admiral Harward on Task Force 435

Read the transcript of a briefing by Vice Admiral Harward about Task Force 435.  TF 435 has command oversight and responsibility of U.S. detention operations and facilities in Afghanistan.  The TF also supports the biometrics and rule of law efforts in that country.

http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4727

Pakistan Remains the Problem

According to a recent news article any gains made in the surge against the Taliban in 2010 will be negated by Pakistan's support of the Taliban.  The Taliban enjoy sanctuary in the frontier areas of Pakistan and the Pakistan's will not move against them.  Read more in "Afghan review will cite progress as war enters critical phase", The Washington Examiner, December 15, 2010.

IEDs a Constant Threat in Afghanistan

For U.S. troops in Afghanistan IEDs are a constant threat.  They have to avoid roads, trails, paths, and gateways to limit the opportunities of stepping on IEDs.  Read more on this daily battle in "Hoping to Avoid Bombs and Win Afghan Minds", The New York Times, November 29, 2010.

Taliban Santuaries in Pakistan a Major Problem

A recently returned U.S. diplomat states that the sanctuaries the Taliban enjoy in Pakistan are a major obstacle in winning the war in Afghanistan.  See "Havens in Pakistan loom as biggest hurdle in Afghanistan", The Washington Post, by Rajiv Chandrasekaran, December 14, 2010.

Recommendatons for Engagement in Afghanistan

The International Crisis Group has released a paper entitled "Afghanistan: Exit vs Engagement", Asia Briefing No 115, 28 Nov 2010. 

"This paper is aimed at reminding policymakers of the deep problems that exist in Afghanistan. Any plan that fails to deal with the decay in Kabul will not succeed. President Hamid Karzai no longer enjoys the legitimacy and popularity he once had and he has subsequently lost his ability to stitch together lasting political deals. Despite the rhetoric surrounding reconciliation, Karzai is in no position to act alone as a guarantor for the interests of the Afghan state. In the current political context, negotiations with the insurgents stand a slim chance of success. Instead, the key to fighting the insurgency and bringing about the conditions for a political settlement lies in improving security, justice and governance and, as previous Crisis Group reports have shown, there are few quick fixes in these areas."

Read more about this paper at the link below:

Afghanistan: Exit vs Engagement

XM25 Rifle Now Deployed in Afghanistan

A new rifle, designed by Minnesota's Alliant Techsystems, has been deployed to Afghanistan.  The XM25 is a revolutionary rifle that is also quite expensive - to the tune of $35,000.  The rifle is called the Counter Defilade Target Engagement System.  It fires 25-mm ammunition and can be set to detonate in front or behind a target.  The weapon is 12 pounds and 29 inches long.  The Army plans to purchase at least 12,500 of the weapons next year.  Read more in "U.S. Army Unveils Revolutionary XM25 Rifle in Afghanistan", Fox News, November 24, 2010.

Nawa, Afghanistan - A COIN Success

One of the counterinsurgency success stories in Afghanistan is the situation in Nawa, Afghanistan.  Read more in "Nawa turns into proving ground for U.S. strategy in Afghan War", The Washington Post, December 12, 2010.

Whose COIN? Joint Force Quarterly Article is Illuminating

An article published in 1st Quarter 2011 Joint Force Quarterly and posted on the National Defense University (NDU) website provides a critique of counterinsurgency doctrine.  The article is penned by Amitai Etzioni, a renowned academic, who writes on a variety of issues concerning foreign policy, security, and more.  See the article at the link below:

"Whose COIN", by Amitai Etzioni, NDU Press, 2011.

http://www.ndu.edu/press/whose-COIN.html

Embedded Marines Assist Afghan Forces with Tough Love

Some Marines serving in Afghanistan are embedded with the Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army to assist them to come up to speed so they can handle their own security in the future (2014?).  It isn't an easy mission and it requires "tough love" at times.  Read more in "Embedded Marines teaching Afghans to fend for themselves", Stars and Stripes, November 19, 2010.

Download DoD Report to Congress - Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan - Nov 2010

The Department of Defense has sent its semi-annual report to Congress on the state of the Afghanistan War.  You can download the report (Adobe Acrobat PDF file, 105 pages) at the link below.  The report is entitled "Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan", November 2010.  The report is submitted in accordance with section 1230 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181).  Topics within the report include current strategy, state of the Afghan National Security Forces, security, governance, reconstruction and development, counternarcotics (CN), and regional engagement.

http://www.defense.gov/pubs/November_1230_Report_FINAL.pdf

America's Secret Wars: Testimony Before Congress by Jeremy Scahill

Jeremy Scahill has testified before congress.  His testimony is no surprise - raising alarm at the involvement of U.S. special operations forces conducting operations around the world.  See "Jeremy Scahill testifies before Congress on America's Secret Wars", The Nation, December 9, 2010.

How To Tranisition in Afghanistan After 2011

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) has published a report entitled "Responsible Transition: Securing U.S. Interests in Afghanistan Beyond 2011", CNAS, December 7, 2010. The report is authored by Andrew Exum and LTG David Barno (former commander of forces in Afghanistan).  The report advocates for keeping a robust drone and special operations capability in Afghanistan beyond 2014.

The New Karzai - Is he our Friend? Maybe not!

The west has been bewildered by the recent behavior and statements coming from Karzai.  Here is our man in Kabul who, without the support of the west, could soon be living with the rest of his extended corrupt family in one of their lavish mansions in either Switzerland or Dubai (bought with western aid money).  It is important to discover the source of his discontent with the U.S. military and the west.  He opposes the constant air strikes that continue to kill innocent Afghan civilians and the night raids conducted by U.S. special operators that violate the sanctuary of the Afghan home.  He would like to see his regional neighbors (Pakistan and Iran) engage in negotiations with the Taliban that would resolve the conflict - but sees no real hope of that occurring.  He blames the U.S. for problems with his corrupt and ineffective government.  So where does Karzai come off with his attitude?  One columnist, Ahmed Rashid - the author of Descent into Chaos, provides us with a portrait of who the new Karzai is.  Read "NATO's Dangerous Wager with Karzai", The New York Review of Books, November 22, 2010.

Police Mentoring Teams in Afghanistan Understaffed

Police Mentoring Teams (PMT) in Afghanistan are understaffed.  The military leadership in Afghanistan had requested 143 additional teams to be in place by October 2010.  The teams are 15-20 men each and mentor Afghan National Police units.  The United States had 279 teams working with the Afghan police.  Read more on this topic in "NATO revises goal for police mentoring teams", Stars and Stripes, November 19, 2010.

Going Commando in Afghanistan After 2014

An interesting post on force structure in Afghanistan after 2014.  See "U.S. Should Go Commando in Afghanistan After 2014, Think Tank Urges", Wired.com Danger Room, December 8, 2010.

Battle for Marjah Now Over Says U.S. Commander

The Battle for Marjah is now over says a U.S. commander. The fight for the strategic town in southern Afghanistan began in February. Read more in "Afghan War Coalition Completes Battle in Marjah as U.S. Assesses Strategy", Bloomberg, December 7, 2010.  Read past news reports about the Battle of Marjah, Afghanistan.

Marines Mount Winter Campaign in Helmand Province

"Marine forces in Afghanistan have launched an “aggressive winter campaign” in Helmand province that will include special operations raids, conventional military operations and efforts to improve the economy by creating jobs, said the senior Marine commander in Afghanistan." 

Read the rest of the article in "Aggressive winter campaign in Helmand", Marine Corps Times, December 8, 2010.

Karzai is Hurting His War Effort

Karzai has been critical of the U.S. and coalition effort in the war in Afghanistan.  It is difficult to determine what he supports and what he does not support.  His critical statements about the CT efforts (night raids, etc.) are not helping his cause.  Read more on this topic in "Karzai's Worst Enemy", Hoover Institution, November 16, 2010.

Joint Task Force Two - Canada's Elite Special Forces

"They are Canada's most elite troops – the faceless soldiers who go to places they won't name, to complete missions they won’t talk about.  Hailed as a world-class special-operations unit for missions abroad, while facing mounting criticism at home, Joint Task Force Two remains a shadowy counterterrorism force about which little concrete can be said. Save for the fact that observers are clamouring more than ever to lift the veil on the ultra-secretive unit's operations." 

Read the rest of the article in "Silent killers: Secrecy, security and JTF2", The Globe and Mail, December 7, 2010.

Anti-Taliban Militias in Pakistan - A Lesson for U.S. in Afghanistan

Militias or "laskhars", in the frontier regions of Pakistan are having some success in fighting off the Taliban.  Read more in "Pakistani anti-Taliban militias offer lessons for U.S in Afghanistan", The Washington Post, December 7, 2010.

Graphics Depict Violence Increase in Afghanistan

The Department of Defense released its semi-annual report to Congress entitled "Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan (November 2010).  A website has pulled some of the info out of the report and put together some graphics to depict the rise of violence in Afghanistan to include a map showing key terrain districts and areas of interest.  See the maps and graphics at "Afghanistan: DoD report shows increase in violence", Threat Matrix - Long War Journal Blog, November 26, 2010.

Hazara Ethnic Group Winners in Ghazni - A Pashtun Province

One of the elections results in Afghanistan is prompting protests from the Pashtun community.  As a result of Pashtus boycotting the elections (or intimidated by the Taliban not to vote) the Hazari minority have secured eleven elective seats in the Ghazni Province of Afghanistan.  Read more in "Afghan election: Minority group's election victory upheld", The LA Times, December 2, 2010.

A VIP View of Afghanistan (as Viewed by an On-the-Ground Reporter)

"Whenever Kandahar Air Field officers are briefed on an upcoming visit by politicians or dignitaries, they sigh and map out a coddled tour that diverts valuable personnel away from the military purpose of the mission.
There are superior accommodations to arrange, scarce helicopters to round up, suitable officers to assign as tour guides, forward operating bases to spruce up and schools, preferably filled with Afghan schoolgirls, to book for photo-ops. Senior brass repeatedly confided to me they dread the arrival of most VIPs and cheer their speedy departure."

Read the rest of the article in "Coddled VIPs don't see real Afghanistan", National Post, November 27, 2010.

Afghan Poll Shows Mixed Results in US Efforts in Afghanistan

A new poll recently conducted by major news services (The Washington Post, ABC News, BBC, and ARD) has mixed results. 

"More Afghans are pessimistic about the direction, less confident in the ability of the United States and its allies to provide security and more willing to negotiate with the Taliban than they were a year ago, according to a new poll conducted in all of Afghanistan's 34 provinces."

Surprisingly the poll results are positive in Kandahar and Helmand province where most of the coalition efforts are focused and most of the heavy fighting is occurring.  Read more in "Afghan poll shows falling confidence in U.S. efforts to secure country", The Washington Post, December 6, 2010.

Horn of Panjwaii - A Taliban Stronghold

Canadian forces, along with American and Afghan forces, are moving into the Horn of Panjwaii - a historical Taliban controlled area.  While a number of offensives have taken place in the last few years to rout out the Taliban the forces never stayed on after the battles.  This time the Canadians plan on staying to ensure the Taliban don't return. Read more at the link below:
"Canadian Forces move into longtime Taliban stronghold", The Star, December 5, 2010.

Newest Afghan Special Forces Honored in Ceremony

"KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army special forces in the Shah Wali Kot District of Kandahar province received their tan berets in a ceremony Dec. 3, marking the completion of their training and induction in to the Afghan special forces community.

The district governor, Ubiedallah Popal, and new district chief of police, Bacha Khan, were present for the ceremony.

“The beret ceremony served as an event to bring the [Afghan National Army] special forces, Afghan National Police and the district governor together,” said the Special Operations Task Force – South team leader presiding over the ceremony, whose unit is partnered with the Afghan special forces team.

Following the ceremony, the Afghan army special forces attended a lunch at the district center hosted by the district governor and district chief of police.

The first class of Afghan soldiers completed the special forces qualification course at Camp Morehead in Kabul May 13."

"Afghan special forces recieve berets in ceremony", ISAF Joint Command, December 6, 2010.

Operation Herrick 12 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

The commander of the British 4th Mechanized Brigade reflects on his units' tour in Helmand Province, Afghanistan that took place this past year.  His article precedes a memorial service for members of his unit that lost their lives in the Afghan War.  Read more in "Reflections on Afghan Mission", The Press, December 6, 2010.

Are We Winning or Losing in Afghanistan?

An opinion piece by a Canadian columnist who says we are not winning in Afghanistan.

"The few Taliban fighters who are able to read would find your assertion that they will be hard pressed to wait out NATO laughable. While NATO looks for nice tidy end dates, Afghanistan is steeped in a tribal culture where time is irrelevant. The defending of honour or exacting of revenge could happen today, four years from now or a generation from now. The West has poured billions of dollars into the fight. We have jet fighters, helicopter gunships, tanks, artillery, unmanned drones and the best trained and equipped soldiers in the history of warfare. The mostly illiterate Taliban have AK 47s, Soviet era RPGs, opium to finance their battle and a few goats. Still they fight."

See "West losing an unwinnable war", The Star, November 27, 2010.

The Karzai Clan of Kandahar, Afghanistan

Led by Hamid Karzai's half-brother, the Karzai clan is consolidating its hold over the Kandahar area.  While supposedly fighting the Taliban - it is more likely that the Karzai's are lining their pockets for now and the future.  There are actually three governments vying for control of Kandahar.  There is the half-hearted attempt by the inept and corrupt Afghan government propped up by the coalition forces, there is the Taliban "shadow government" most ascendent in the rural areas around Kandahar and there is the Karzai clan and its associated allies.  Read more in "US embassy cables: President Karzai's half-brother is kingpin of Kandahar", The Guardian, December 2, 2010.

Fighting to Keep a School Open in Afghanistan

A news article describes the ordeal involved in trying to keep a school open in Senjeray, Zhari District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Keeping schools open is part of the development and governance piece of counterinsurgency.  Unfortunately it doesn't always go as like the Field Manual tells you it should.  Read "US fights to open school in Taliban area", Fox News, December 4, 2010.

British Paras See Progress in Nad-e-Ali, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

A place that was once controlled by the Taliban - Nad-e-Ali, Helmand Province, Afghanistan - is now firmly in Afghan (and British control).  Medical clinics, schools, and the markets are now operating.  Security has improved. Read more in "British Paras see progress in the fight against the Taliban", The Telegraph, December 4, 2010.

Obama Visits Afghanistan

Obama paid a visit to Afghanistan to meet some of the troops and do a photo op. Presumably he is having some private talks with Karzai and his military leaders as well.  Read more in "Obama in Afghanistan", Afghanistan Crossroads Blog - CNN, December 3, 2010.

Building Bridges in Afghanistan

It isn't combat every day in Afghanistan - at least for some units.  There is the "development" piece of counterinsurgency and stability operations that has importance as well. Here is an article about how one unit - the 172nd Cavalry Regiment -  built a bridge over a swift and dangerous river so that inhabitants of one village in Parwan Province could travel to the local community market and medical clinic safely.  Posted by Bouhammer's Afghan Blog at the link below:

http://www.bouhammer.com/2010/12/tobins-pass-bridging-a-river-bonding-the-people/

Some Background on Talks with Taliban

The WikiLeaks documents are providing some insight behind the talks with the Taliban.  It would appear that in public Karzai is trying to work things out with the Taliban but secretly he has limits on how far he will accommodate them.  Read more in "WikiLeaks: Talks with the Taliban a non-starter", Reuters, December 5, 2010.

Fake Taliban Talks Embarrass Coalition

The U.S. military has been saying that the relentless pace of surgical drone strikes, Special Forces night raids, and conventional forces surge on the battlefield will force the Taliban to the negotiating table.  In fact, it has been assisting in talks between a supposedly high-ranking Taliban official and the Karzai government - paying money, arranging for safe passage, and providing flights on aircraft.  Now it seems that all are now embarrassed as they were getting scammed by a shop keeper from Pakistan.  Hmmmmmm.

Read more in "Goodspeed Analysis: Fighting a faceless enemy", The National Post, November 27, 2010.

Information, Photos, News, Maps of Bagram Air Field (BAF), Afghanistan

Bagram Air Field website by AFCENT
http://www.bagram.afcent.af.mil/

Fox News Reports about Bagram Airbase
http://www.foxnews.com/topics/politics/bagram-airbase.htm

USA Today News Reports about Bagram Air Base
http://content.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Bagram+Air+Base

Info and Facts by Wikipedia Info on Bagram Airfield
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagram_Airfield

Maps and Overhead Photos of Bagram Airbase by GlobalSecurity.org
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/afghanistan/bagram-imagery.htm

Weather at Bagram, Afghanistan by weatherforyou.com
http://www.weatherforyou.com/weather/KQSA.html

Photos of Bagram Airfield by AFCENT
http://www.bagram.afcent.af.mil/photos/mediagallery.asp?galleryID=6154

Photos and Images of Bagram Airfield by Google.com
Photos of Bagram Airfield

USO Facebook Bagram Air Base
http://www.facebook.com/pages/USO-Bagram-Air-Base-Afghanistan/135773896448565

Google Overhead Photo of Bagram Air Base
Overhead Map / Photo of Air Base

Videos of Bagram Airfield by Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS)
http://www.dvidshub.net/tags/video/bagram-airfield

Obama Surprise Visit to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan

President Obama paid a surprise visit to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan on Friday, December 3, 2010.  Read more about the visit at "During Surprise Trip to Afghanistan, Obama Thanks U.S. Troops for Their Service", Fox News, December 3, 2010.

Are There Any Alternatives to Karzai?

There is a lot of sniping about Karzai, how he is corrupt, inept, and probably not the best U.S. ally.  But nowhere on the horizon is there an alternative.  If there is one - he is not well-known.  Read more on "If not Hamid Karai, then who?", The National Post, December 2, 2010.

The Difficulties of Training Afghan Forces

There are too few NATO trainers for the Afghan security forces, too many Afghan deserters, and corruption erodes the efforts at many levels.  The Afghan police do not understand the laws they are supposed to uphold and the Afghan population see the Afghan police as predatory militias.  Read more on a posting of the Afghan situation from Sangin, Afghanistan by a correspondent.  See "Why it's so hard for NATO to train Afghan forces", Christian Science Monitor, December 2, 2010.

Corruption Found Throughout Afghan Government

Leaked memos from Wikileaks indicate that coalition documents show that Karzai and almost his entire government is rampart with corruption.  The coalition nations seem unable and unwilling to stem the corruption.  A case in point - the Ministry of Transportation collects $200 million annually in fees in truck traffic but turns over only $30 million to the government.  Meanwhile much of the aid money that pours into Afghanistan gets diverted for other uses - lining the pockets of the ruling elite.  Read more in "Mission Impossible: Standing up to Afghanistan", The Star, December 3, 2010.

Training Female Police Officers in Afghanstan

Read an article about training female police officers in Afghanistan by Canadian police.  See "Training female Afghan police officers rewarding, but challenging for Canadian", The Montreal Gazette, November 23, 2010.

Afghanistan has a history of Occupation

Now that the U.S. and NATO has exceeded the time that the Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan reporters and others are looking back into Afghanistan's history to learn more about the countries past occupations.  Read "Afghanistan: a history of occupation", The Telegraph, November 26, 2010.

Intel Efforts to Catch Roadside Bombers in Afghanistan

Social network analysis is being used to help in defeating the IED network.  Read more in "U.S. Connects the Dots to catch Roadside Bombers", NPR, December 3, 2010.

Afghan Corruption "Overwhelming" according to Secret Embassy Cables

"WASHINGTON — From hundreds of diplomatic cables, Afghanistan emerges as a looking-glass land where bribery, extortion and embezzlement are the norm and the honest man is a distinct outlier. Describing the likely lineup of Afghanistan’s new cabinet last January, the American Embassy noted that the agriculture minister, Asif Rahimi, “appears to be the only minister that was confirmed about whom no allegations of bribery exist.”

Read the rest of the news article about corruption in "Wikileaks: Cables describe scale of Afghan corruption as overwhelming", The New York Times, December 2, 2010.