Blog Post on PRTs and Our Goals in Afghanistan

A blogger - who also works for an NGO in Helmand Province - provides his perspective on whether we should have Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan.  He also goes at length discussing what our aims and objectives are.  See the blog post here at "Ride for the Brand", Free Range International (Outside the Wire, Inside the Loop), February 11, 2011.

More Criticism of ALP

There are supporters and proponents of the Afghan Local Police (ALP) program.  Read some negative comments here. "Is U.S. Legitimizing Warlords and Criminals in Afghanistan?", AllGov, February 25, 2011.

CIA Drone Attacks in Pakistan Seen as Less Effective Than Thought

Recent reports indicate that the CIA drone attacks in Pakistan have not been as effective as some had thought.  Very few high-level targets are being taken out and pressure is mounting to restrict the level of drone attacks.  Read more in "Increased U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan killing few high-value militants", The Washington Post, February 21, 2011.

Senator Carl Levin Provides His Perspective on the Afghanistan War

Senator Carl Levin of Michigan visited Afghanistan in early 2011.  He recently delivered a speech to the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan at the Grand Rapids Community College about his trip.  Read his perspective on the state of affairs in Afghanistan in "Prospects for Success in Afghanistan", February 21, 2011.

PSYOP Used against Visiting Officials? Military Says No

The military command in Afghanistan says it is investigating claims that LTG Caldwell used psychological operations personnel (Lt.Col. Michael Holmes) to prepare briefings for visiting lawmakers.  However, initial reports indicate that this investigation that will not reveal much.  The United States Army Special Operations Command says that the primary officer asked to prepare the briefs did not receive any training in this PSYOP from the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center. There are other reports that indicate he received training in PSYOP at other military locations; but probably as part of a Information Operations course. It does appear that the officer is an "Information Operations Officer" or FA30.  The story was first broke by Michael Hastings writing for The Rolling Stone magazine.  See "Another Runaway General: Army Deploys Psy-Ops on US Senators" - February 23, 2011.

Several news media outlets are commenting on the story.  The general consensus appears to be that the article was a hatchet job.  Others have indicated that the article contained a number of inaccuracies - one being the confusion between Psychological Operations and Information Operations.  Then again - was it inappropriate to use an IO team to research info on visiting CODELs?  Hmmmmmm.

 "Army: Gen. Caldwell's Accuser Had No Psy-Ops Training", The Wall Street Journal, February 25, 2011.

"Army manipulated visiting VIPs in Afghanistan", Afghanistan Crossroads, February 24, 2011.

Comments on Withdrawal from Pech Valley in Kunar

The decision to vacate the Pech Valley in Kunar Province has many scratching their heads.  Why did we fight so hard for it and why are we now leaving it for the Taliban?  Read some commentary on this topic at "US begins withdrawing forces from Kunar's Pech Valley", The Long War Journal, February 25, 2011.

Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Debate Continues in Afghanistan

Karzai's call for dismantling the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) has prompted a lot of debate.  At the following link are more articles on this topic.  "Debate on the Future of PRTs in Afghanistan Continues", Afghanistan Conflict Monitor, February 8, 2011.

Oxfam Says Aid Funding Should Not Be Used to Attain Short-Term Military Goals

Oxfam, an international aid agency, has issued a report saying that aid used to further military objectives has a dangerous effect on aid workers.  It accuses donor nations of spending money foolishly on expensive and unsustainable projects. 

"Billions of dollars in aid have been spent on projects that are expensive, unsustainable and sometimes even dangerous, because donor governments are increasingly using the money to support their short-term military and security goals, international aid agency Oxfam said on Thursday.

The neutrality and safety of aid workers is compromised if local people see humanitarian and development funding as a tool of the military, the charity says in a report. It notes that 225 aid workers were killed, kidnapped or injured in attacks during 2010, up from 85 in 2002, partly reflecting a rise in politically motivated violence." 

Read the news report in "Aid Increasingly Wasted on Security Aims: Oxfam", AlertNet, February 10, 2011.

Afghan Elections Marred by Corruption and Meddling - Report by AAN

The Afghanistan Analysts Network - a think tank on Afghanistan - has released a report on the elections that took place this past fall.  It cited the country's election governing bodies as being one of the biggest problems in the parliamentary election results.  The 2010 parlimentary vote was mired with controversies.  This report provides data, information, and maps on the election.  The report attempts to draw conclusions based on what electoral information was available for study. 

Read more in "Report: Afghan elections crippled largely by governing bodies", The Stars and Stripes, February 19, 2011.

The report can be viewed on the Afghanistan Analyst Network website at the link below:
http://aan-afghanistan.com/index.asp?id=1505

Afghan Special Forces Continue to Grow and Mature

The Afghan Special Forces is continuing to mature as a capable fighting force.  Learn more about them in "Culture Can Be A Killer", Strategy Page, February 23, 2011.

Marjah, Afghanistan: Lots of Money as a Stabilization Tool

The Marines are spending lots of money to secure the Marjah, Afghanistan area.  While the strategy seems to be working at the moment there is worry about what happens in Marjah when the Marines - and their money - leaves.  Read more in "More please, sir", The Economist, February 24, 2011.

Businesses Succeed in Building Afghanistan Infrastructure

International businesses are fully engaged in building an infrastructure (irrigation, electrical power, etc.) in Afghanistan that never existed.  These firms come under a lot of pressure when they fall behind in their project time lines or experience cost overruns. The security situation impacts the costs and schedules immensely.  Read an article that explores the difficulty of conducting business in Afghanistan and why we need to more fully support these firms.  See "Like No Place on Earth: How U.S. Businesses Are Succeeding in Afghanistan", Forbes.com, February 9, 2011.

Troop Cuts Could Set Back Gains in Afghanistan

An international organization has recommended that troop levels remain the same in Afghanistan until July 2012.  The International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) has released a report stating that an early withdrawal would set back gains made in southern Afghanistan.  Read more in the links below:

"U.S. troop cut could set back Afghan gains - thinktank", Reuters, February 10, 2011.

"Afghanistan Transition: Dangers of a Summer Drawdown", International Council on Security and Development Press Release, February 9, 2011.

Here is an abstract of the report:

"This report looks at the current dynamics in Kandahar and Helmand provinces, southern Afghanistan, in the context of the United States' announced plan to begin drawing down military forces in Afghanistan in five months. The surge of 30,000 additional US forces has changed the security dynamics on the ground significantly, with the additional troops making major gains in clearing districts previously held by the Taliban.

The total troops on the ground in Afghanistan have gone from approximately 89,000 NATO- ISAF troops and 215,000 Afghan security forces in March 2010, to a current total of 131,000 NATO-ISAF troops and 266,000 Afghan police and army, an overall increase of 93,000. The Afghan security forces are also more visible and arguably more professional and better equipped than before.

This progress at the military level will hopefully create an enabling environment for analogous improvement in the fields of aid, development, governance and counter-narcotics which still require significant work. Without that, the military gains will be undermined and unsustainable. The urgent needs of people displaced by the fighting, the chronic grinding poverty and unemployment, and the grassroots political dynamics are not being addressed in southern Afghanistan. It is not at all clear what strategies will be used to tackle these vital issues."

The report can be downloaded at the link below.  It is an Adobe Acrobat PDF file.

http://www.icosgroup.net/documents/afghanistan_dangers_drawdown.pdf

Human Rights Groups Condemning Taliban for Abuses Against Civilian Population

Human rights groups in Afghanistan are condemning Taliban targeting of civilians in Afghanistan.  The human rights groups have been a long-time critic of coalition air strikes that have killed civilians - but measures have been taken to reduce these loses over the last few years.  The Taliban, however, have increased their indiscriminate targeting methods causing more civilian casualties.  Read more in "Afghan Rights Groups Shift Focus to Taliban", The New York Times, February 9, 2011.

Afghan Government Seeks Control of Women's Shelters - A Recipe for More Corruption and Less Protection for Women

The Afghan government is now seeking control of the many women's shelters that are set up in Kabul and other parts of the country.  The government ministries are more conservative than the people running and supporting the women's shelters - and there lies the rub. Shelters administered by the government will be less likely to protect women who run away from abusive husbands and families and more likely to return these young girls to the communities for punishment, disfigurement, and possibly death.  Currently, most shelters are privately run and supported with money from the United Nations and other independent charitable organizations.  A draft law currently under consideration in Afghanistan will ask that the international community shift all funding to the Afghan Finance Ministry which would then transfer the money to the Ministry of Women's Affairs who would pass money on to the shelters.  This, of course, is just one more ploy for the corrupt central government of Karzai to get their hands on more of the international funds so that it can be diverted to Swiss and Dubai bank accounts.  Read more in "Kabul Seeks Control of Women's Shelters", NPR, February 21, 2011.

Report on Counterinsurgency Efforts in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Jeffrey Dressler, a research analyst with the Institute for the Study of War, has penned a report entitled "Counterinsurgency in Helmand - Progress and Remaining Challenges" dated January 2011.  Topics in the report include counterinsurgency in Helmand, Afghan National Security Forces in Helmand, counternarcotics, governance, reconstruction and development, and a conclusion.  Various maps and illustrations help provide clarity to the report.  The report is almost 40 pages long and well-documented with endnotes.  The document is an Adobe Acrobat PDF file and can be found at the link below:

http://www.understandingwar.org/files/Afghanistan_Report_8_web.pdf

Camp Leatherneck - Gretal Kovach Reports from Afghanistan

A reporter from the Sign On San Deigo News, Gretel C. Kovach, is visiting Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan and will be reporting on a regular basis.  Click here for her first two stories "Afghanistan war diary: the flight in", Sign On San Diego, February 19, 2011 and "Welcome back to Camp Leatherneck", Sign On San Diego, February 20, 2011.

Renewed Effort to Stop Opium Production in Kandahar Area

There is a renewed effort to stop the cultivation of poppies in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan.  Read more in "Afghan-Canadian governor orders eradication of opium farms in Kandahar", The Globe and Mail, February 20, 2011.

Operation Hamaghe Shay - Afghan Troops in the Lead

Operation Hamaghe Shay is currently underway in the Kandahar area of Afghanistan.  The operation is an Afghan-led, Canadian-supported mission designed to clear areas of munitions and arms that the Taliban can use in the upcoming spring offensive just weeks away.  Hamaghe Shay - which means "same team" in Pashto is one of the first large operations planned and conducted by the Afghan military in this area of Afghanistan.  Read more in "Massive operation seen as key test for Afghan planning, logistics skills", The Vancouver Sun, February 20, 2011.

Reflections on the Czech Republic PRT in Logar

Karzai's wish to transition the work (and money) of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan to the Karzai government is not getting much support among the nations that provide the money and the countries that run the individual PRTs.  The Czech Republic is one of the international donors that also provides personnel for the PRT - in this case in Logar.  Read a Czech viewpoint on PRTs in "Rules of disengagement in Afghanistan", The Prague Post, February 16, 2011.

Vetting of Afghan Security Force Members

On a rare occasion we will read about an Afghan security force member turning his weapon on members of the coalition (American, German, French, etc.) and trying to kill them.  The possibility of the Taliban trying to infiltrate the Afghan security forces for this purpose is troublesome and it would appear that ISAF is taking steps to mitigate the threat through a vetting process.  Read more in "Afghan forces undergo stricter vetting by NATO commanders", USA Today, February 18, 2011.

A Discouraging View of How Military Operations Hinder Development from Occuring in Afghanistan

There is lots going wrong in Afghanistan - one of which is the inability to get development to occur at a faster rate.  As a part of the counterinsurgency strategy - providing services (electricity, schools, roads, irrigation, medical clinics, etc.) through new development projects is supposed to tie the local populace in the rural areas to the district and provincial governments - thereby generating support for the central government (you know, the one run by Karzai and his corrupt cronies).  There are many reasons cited for development not progressing as fast as it should.  Security is the main reason - it is hard to build roads if the roads are mined with IEDs and the workers threatened, kidnapped, or killed.  These development projects sometimes have to provide for their own security so private security firms are contracted for - using a good portion of the development funds.  Corruption is another problem.  The Afghan governmental system is rife with corrupt officials from Karzai down to the lowest level.  One particular journalist, Mark Curtis, writing for the British newspaper - The Guardian - lays the blame on the military and military operations.  Read his view in "Afghanistan is being stifled by military operations",  The Guardian, February 19, 2011.

Northern Initiative for Justice Advancement Training (NIJAT) in Afghanistan

A diverse group of organizations are coming together to provide law enforcement and justice training for select individuals in northern Afghanistan. 

"The 11- week training is a joint effort of USAID, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement of the U.S. Department of State, the German Police Project Team, and the European Police Mission. The training will provide substantive and practical lessons that enhance the participants' knowledge of investigative techniques, as well as trial and advocacy skills.
A total of sixty police officers, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges will complete the training consisting of a criminal investigation phase, trial phase, and a specialized adjudication two-week phase for judges. The goal of the training is to improve the capacity of justice sector professionals to investigate, prosecute, defend, and adjudicate criminal cases." 

Read the rest of the article in "New Training Focuses on Advancing Justice in Afghanistan", ReliefWeb, February 19, 2011.

Providing Electricity in Afghanistan - A Daunting Task for Black & Veatch

There is much money being spent on reconstruction (a more correct term would be construction) in Afghanistan.  Most of these projects are not completed on time and run over on the projected costs.  In a no-bid environment where security is an illusion and corruption amongst Afghan government officials is rampart - this is expected.  U.S. construction firms had a hard time operating in that environment and are criticized for not finishing projects on time.  One example of this is the task of providing electricity to southern Afghanistan.  The firm Black & Veatch Corporation is very involved in that endeavor.  Read of the difficulties with major construction projects in Afghanistan in "Black & Veatch's fog-of-war contract in Afghanistan", The Kansas City Star, February 20, 2011.

Taliban Reintegration Program Faces Difficulties

"Despite Taliban threats against their lives, nearly 900 militants have quit the fight and enrolled in an Afghan government program luring insurgents off the battlefield, a NATO official said Monday.  The months-old reintegration program, which attracts fighters with promises of jobs, literacy and vocational training plus development aid for their villages, is slowly gaining acceptance but faces serious challenges, said Maj. Gen. Phil Jones, who tracks the reintegration effort at NATO headquarters in Kabul.  The Taliban has retaliated against some insurgents trying to switch sides in northern Afghanistan, Jones said. Some local Afghan leaders also remain unclear about the details of the program and many question whether those who align themselves with the government can be protected." 

Read the rest of the news article at "900 Afghan militants switch sides and join government, but reintegration program faces hurdles", Google Hosted News, February 8, 2011.

Book: "The Wrong War" by Bing West

Bing West, a noted writer and commentator on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, has wrote a book entitled The Wrong War: Grit, Strategy, and the Way Out of Afghanistan.  Mr. West is not without military experience, having served in combat with the Marines.  He has also spent considerable time in Afghanistan as an embedded reporter and seen the combat troops up close.  West is extremely complimentary of the Soldiers and Marines fighting the war on the ground.  He is critical of the current counterinsurgency strategy that strives to win over the population.  His speaks out against the effort to buy off the Afghan population with development funds - citing the creation of a "culture of entitlement".  His "way out of Afghanistan" includes down-sizing the footprint in Afghanistan and transitioning to an advisory role where highly-trained military advisers, unhampered by risk-adverse senior commanders, are embedded with Afghan Army and police units - where their principle task would be training and advising the Afghan security forces. 

To learn more about the book or buy it from Amazon.com click on the link that follows:  The Wrong War: Grit, Strategy, and the Way Out of Afghanistan.

USSF and 6th Commando Kandak Conduct Operations in Wardak Province

The 1st Company of the 6th Commando Kandak, U.S. Special Forces, and other units conducted an operation in Wardak Province in Afghanistan.  The intent of the operation was to clear the village of insurgent forces and return peace and stability to the area.  Read more in "ANA Commandos, USSF complete step towards peace in Perong Valley", CJSOTF-A Media Operations Center, February 18, 2011.

Video shows Australian 2nd Commando Regiment on Night Raid in Afghanistan

Diggers conduct a night-time raid in Afghanistan for members of the Taliban.  See the video of the Australian commandos in action.  See "Aussie special forces behind enemy lines", Herald Sun, February 19, 2011.

Afghan Local Police (ALP) working with Special Forces in Khas Uruzgan District

It took time and effort to get the various tribes in the Khas Uruzgan District to work together and agree to the establishment of an element of the Afghan Local Police (ALP).  But the ALP is up and running - thanks to the continuing efforts of U.S. Army Special Forces teams operating in the area.  The ALP is an Afghan Ministry of Interior (MOI) endeavor heavily supported by Special Forces that establishes local village community defense force or local police.  The program receives local support, its members are recruited from the local population and vetted by the tribal and community leaders, but it is also supported by coalition forces and the Ministry of Interior.  Read more on the establishment of the ALP in Khas Uruzgan - a district in Uruzgan Province of Afghanistan.  See "Turning the Tide", DVIDS - CJSOTFA Media Operations Center, February 19, 2011.

Civil Military Operations Center in Marjah, Afghanistan - Improving Afghan Lives

The Civil Military Operations Center (CMOC) in Marjah, Afghanistan is improving the Marjah area through development and civic action projects. 

"CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines working at the Civil Military Operations Center in Marjah have improved Afghan lives during the few short months they have been in Afghanistan.  The Marines arrived in October 2010 and have created and implemented many projects within the Marjah area." 

Read the rest of the news release in "Marjah CMOC making a difference in Afghan's lives", DVIDS, February 5, 2011.  Click here to follow news stories about Marjah, Afghanistan.

A Call to End the War in Afghanistan

Two U.S. Congressman have wrote an opinion piece for The Washington Post calling for the departure of troops in Afghanistan.  They say there is no strategy that is working, our goals are undefined (or already met), we are supporting a corrupt government, and the war is costing too much in terms of human and economic expenditure.  Read "The solution in Afghanistan: Get out", The Washington Post, February 18, 2011.

Two Years Under Obama: Some Measurable Criteria in Afghanistan

The Huffington Post has provided online a simple table that shows how some of the dynamics of the war in Afghanistan has changed in the past two years under President Obama.  Some of the criteria include troop deaths, number of IED attacks, drone strikes in Pakistan, mobile phone use, and more.

"The Huffington Post completed a status update of the war in Afghanistan, including conditions in the impoverished country, comparing January 2009 to January 2011. As indicated, some of the statistics reflect available data from the previous year."

See "Obama's War: How Afghan Conflict Has Ramped Up in Last Two Years", The Huffington Post, February 17, 2011.

Interim Security Critical Infrastructure (ISCI) Program - Is it Working?

The Marines are pushing a program in Afghanistan called the Interim Security Critical Infrastructure (ISCI).  The ISCI was started (as best as I can determine) in the fall of 2010 - see "Marines, Afghans come together for way forward in Marjah", USMC.mil, October 23, 2010.  It has had a rapid growth in Marjah and some are keeping a close eye on it. The Afghans recruited into the ISCI units are paid $150 a month; the leaders a little bit more.  The ISCI units are a "neighborhood watch" group.  It is similar to what U.S. Special Forces units are trying to accomplish with the Afghan Local Police (ALP) initiative; although the ALP has the backing of the Afghan government and is a more structured program.

Some Afghans are fearful that the ISCI program will turn a bunch of loosely organized and un-supervised militias on the local population.  There already is friction between some of the groups.  See "Afghans fear return of the warlords as anti-Taliban militias clash", Guardian UK, February 16, 2011.

Learn more about the Interim Security Critical Infrastructure.

Money as a Weapons System - Marjah, Afghanistan

A writer for McClatchy Newspapers reports that things are going well in Marjah, Afghanistan.  Of note is his description of how the economy is picking up - primarily jump-started by money being doled out by the Marines.  "Money as a Weapons System" would seem to be a favorite tactic of the Marines in Marjah and . . . for the time being (according to the report) it would seem to be working.  See "Tailor shops displace opium bazaar in Afghan town", McClatchy Newspapers, February 17, 2011.

For information about using money as a way of winning the war see "Commander's Guide to Money as a Weapons System Handbook", Handbook 09-27, April 2009 (posted on the United States Army Combined Arms Center here).  Some observers are not that convinced that the concept is a good one - see commentary by Andrew Wilder, a research director at Feinstein International Center at Tufts University, in "A weapons system based on wishful thinking", boston.com, September 16, 2009.  (the article is dated but . . . ).

Taliban Motorbike Assassins Still Active in Kandahar

Despite the increase in security around and in Kandahar Taliban assassination squads are still active in the city.  One of their favorite tactics is killing people while mounted or transporting themselves on motorbikes.  Read more in "Taliban assassins on motorbikes strike fear in Afghanistan", The Star, February 9, 2011.  Read more war news on Kandahar.

Operation Moshtarak in Marjah, Afghanistan: An Analysis After One Year

A lot of folks are looking back one year to try to determine what was accomplished in The Battle of Marjah.  Last February 2010 one of the biggest operations of the Afghan War commenced when U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, British, Afghan and other coalition partners poured thousands of men into the area to wrest it from Taliban control.  The campaign did not go as quick or as well as planned.  It was a highly-publicized operation and was going to be a test bed for the later campaign in the battle for Kandahar and its surrounding area.  This week a lot of commentators and observers are focused on Marjah in an attempt to evaluate the accomplishments.  Some of those reports are provided below:

Marines of 1/6th choppered into Marjah at the beginning of the attack.  Read some of their recollections in "Their D-Day; Marjah veterans look back a year to where they were, lessons learned", marines.mil, February 16, 2011.

HBO is airing a documentary (on Feb 17, Thursday evening at 9:00 PM EST) called "The Battle for Marjah".  Read more on the documentary in "The Battle for Marjah, an Afghan War Film on HBO", The New York Times, February 16, 2011.

A former member of the "civilian surge" speaks out about what didn't go right with Marjah in "Memorials to Purposelessness", The Huffington Post, February 16, 2011.

The commanding general of Regional Command Southwest - where Marja is located - addressed Marjah in conversations with members of the media.  See "A year later, commander assesses progress in Helmand province", DVIDS, February 16, 2011.

An analyst of the war in Afghanistan, Joshua Foust, provides us with his insight to the Marjah campaign. See "Marjah one year on", February 15, 2011.  He ends his commentary observing that official press reports day Marjah was a success while public data indicates otherwise.

Canadian's in Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Finish Development Projects

The Canadian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Kandahar has transferred its ownership of the PRT to the United States.  However, there are still some Canadian civilians working there completing development projects that were started earlier.  In addition, the Canadians are transferring some projects over to local Afghan officials - a task that PRTs were formed to do - start projects and then get the local Afghans to run them.  Read more in "As combat mission winds down, civilians in Kandahar rush to complete projects", The Vancouver Sun, February 9, 2011.  Read news about military operations and local governance in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Afghan Perspective on Democracy Differs From Western View

What democracy means for an American is quite different than what democracy means for an Afghan.  A research team from the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) has been studying this topic for a few years.  For instance, to Afghans, the word "democracy" means much more than an elected government; they extend the meaning to encompass a vast range of Western ideals and liberalism far beyond representative governance. "Democracy" to many Afghans has a negative connotation - reflecting many of the perceived negative aspects of Western society such as immorality and secularism.  The authors observations are provided to us in an article posted on a blog at Foreign Policy Magazine.  Read the comments of Anna Larson and Oliver Lough in "Afghan perspectives on democracy", The AFPAK Channel, Foreign Policy, February 9, 2011.

Improving Afghan War Strategy - by Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institute - Feb 2011 (Report)

The Brookings Institute has published a report entitled "Improving Afghan War Strategy" authored by Michael E. O'Hanlon.  It is dated February 2011 and the report is a policy brief on Afghanistan.  The report

" . . . addresses the first challenge, improving the U.S./NATO counterinsurgency campaign.  The basic logic of the current strategy is accepted, but several new initiatives or ideas are explored to make it more promising and more effective".

Three main ideas are developed:
- promoting Afghan political organizations around ideas and platforms not ethnic groups or individuals
- tackling the problem of corruption from an international perspective instead of U.S. - Afghan view
- Offer a civilian nuclear deal to Pakistan in exchange for shutting down the Taliban sanctuaries

Read the report at the link below:

http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2011/02_afghanistan_ohanlon.aspx

COIN Training Center Increases NATO SOF Capacity in Afghanistan

"The Counterinsurgency Training Center – Afghanistan taught a five day Train the Trainer Course for NATO Special Operations Force instructors at Chievers Air Base, Belgium, 7-11 February 2011.  The purpose of the Train the Trainer Course was to show the NATO SOF instructors how to teach the Advanced COIN Leader Course to NATO SOF deploying to Afghanistan.  The Advanced COIN Leader Course is the same curriculum that is taught to senior Afghan Army and Police leadership, and coalition battalion and brigade commanders and staff at Camp Julien, Kabul.  This will enable NATO SOF to deploy into theater with the requisite COIN training to ensure success." 

Source: "COIN Training Center Increases NATO SOF Capacity", NTM-A, February 15, 2011.

Marc Grossman to be New AfPak Envoy

Retired diplomat Marc Grossman has been selected to be the new "AfPak" envoy.  Read more in "Clinton to announce new AfPak envoy", The Washington Post, February 15, 2011.

Marjah, Afghanistan - One Year Later

It has been about one year since the highly publicized battle for Marjah, Afghanistan commenced.  The battle didn't go as well or as quick as the coalition thought.  The Afghan "government-in-a-box" concept fizzled. The newly appointed officials put in place by Karzai turned out to be an unsatisfactory lot.  And the Taliban didn't just melt away.  However progress has been made.  The question is "Will it last?".  Read a one news commentators take on the situation in "One year after offensive, signs of progress in Marjah", Stars and Stripes, February 14, 2011.  Click here for more news about Marjah, Afghanistan.

3rd Commando Kandak and USSF Conduct Operation in Shah Wali Kot District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces set out to provide security and assist the local population during a clearing operation in a remote village in Shah Wali Kot District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 8, 2011.

District Chief of Police Bacha Khan and his policemen, Afghan Commandos from 2nd Company, 3rd Commando Kandak, along with U.S. service members from Special Operations Task Force – South, searched the village throughout the day and detained 20 suspected insurgents.

Also found were 80 pounds of homemade explosives and various improvised explosive device making materials.

Leading a squad during the operation was Afghan Commando Sgt. Hafiz Rahman, a 28-year-old who has been in the Afghan National Army for seven years. He said this operation has shown him progress.

“The people are respecting us,” Rahman said. “They ask us if we want tea, or ‘do we want bread?’ They are thankful for the security.”

Children during the operation brought Commandos blankets in the evening, and offered them food throughout the day.

“Afghans are tired of the Taliban,” Rahman said. “We just want to live in peace.”

The operation took place without any civilian casualties, or any property damage. No shots were fired during the detention of the suspects.

Source:  "Afghan Police, Commandos, US Special Forces clear northern Kandahar", DVIDS, February 11, 2011.

Kandahar Battle Still Unresolved

The Taliban are continuing their attacks in the city of Kandahar and the surrounding region.  Although many gains have been made by coalition forces on the ground - a result of the troop surge - some critics worry these are temporary.  The status of who has won "the battle of Kandahar" may be revealed later this year once Spring approaches and the traditional fighting season in Afghanistan resumes.  In the meantime coalition troops continue to put pressure on Taliban fighters, IED networks, and the shadow government in the Kandahar region.  Read more in "Crucial test looms for key Afghan battleground", AFP Google, February 13, 2011.

Canadian Generals to Head Afghan Training Programs

Two Canadian generals will be heading up the training programs for the Afghanistan police and army.  As Canada transitions from combat operations in southern Afghanistan to a training role many of its troops will go home - probably in about one half year.  The training effort will require about 900 Canadian troops who will be stationed primarily in the Kabul area.  Read more in "Canadian generals to oversee critical Afghan training programs", The National Post, February 13, 2011.

Slovakia and US Special Forces to Work Together in Afghanistan

US Special Forces and members of the Slovakia Special Forces will soon be training and ultimately working together in Afghanistan.  MG Michael Repass of Special Operations Command Europe paid a visit to Slovakia to observe training of the unit and to discuss training and preparation for the joint mission.  Read more in "US special forces and Slovak 5th Regiment to cooperate in Afghanistan", The Slovak Spectator, February 9, 2011.

New Zealand Extends SAS Deployment in Afghanistan

New Zealand will keep SAS troopers in Afghanistan to continue its work with the Afghan Crisis Response Unit.  Read more in "New Zealand extends special forces deployment to Afghanistan", New Kerala.com, February 7, 2011.

Taliban to Target Afghan Leaders during Upcoming Spring Offensive

Coalition forces are predicting that the Taliban will target low- and mid-level Afghan government and tribal leaders during the upcoming spring offensive.  Read more in "Taliban's spring offensive to target Afghan leaders cooperating with government", The Washington Post, February 7, 2011.

Theories on Conflict Resolution and Afghanistan

The Afghanistan Analysts Network has published a document about theories on conflict resolution and how to apply it to Afghanistan.

"Despite the recent deployments of more troops and greater military resources to Afghanistan by the US-led Western coalition, there has been no abatement in the insurgency. It rather is increasing in lethality, territorial scope and mobilisation beyond their main base in the Pashtun ethnic group. As a result, doubts about the efficacy of conventional war-fighting, counter-insurgency and transition strategies grow and alternative means of mitigating the conflict come into sight.

The paper briefly discusses seven such theories and draws conclusions from them for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan: ripeness theory, theories of mediation, theories of reconciliation, power-sharing theories, credible commitment theory, spoilers’ analysis and local peace-building. While such theories are not panacean, they can help to understand the conflict and point towards practical steps that can contribute to improve the prospects for peace. The authors point out, though, that as abstractions they must necessarily be adapted to circumstances."

Read or download the document (Adobe Acrobat PDF) at the following link:

"Peace offerings: Theories of conflict resolution and their applicability to Afghanistan", Matt Waldman and Thomas Ruttig, Afghanistan Analysts Network, January 2011.

More Criticism of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) of Afghanistan

A commentator with experience in Afghanistan has provided us some insight about the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan.  He agrees with the recent Karzai statement that the PRTs should be dismantled and the money turned over to the Afghan government.  Joshua Foust writes this in "The AFPAK Channel" blog for Foreign Policy Magazine.  Hmmmmm.  So turn over the money to the Afghan government and let them head up development projects.  Sure . . . that will work.  Why don't we just wire the money to the Dubai and Swiss bank accounts of the corrupt Afghan officials and eliminate the middle man?  Read his commentary in "Actually, Karzai is right about PRTs", Foreign Policy, February 8, 2011.