Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF) Starts Train-the-Trainer Course

KABUL, Afghanistan — More than 60 new lieutenants began the train-the-trainer course at the Afghan Public Protection Force Training Center this week.

The group includes 36 officers who recently graduated from a Turkish police officer training course; the other 27 are graduates from the Afghan National Police Academy.

They will undergo a six-week program of instruction at the training center. The course of instruction consists of the basic static guard course, the convoy operations course and the personal security detail course. About half the officers will then disperse around Afghanistan as part of mobile APPF training teams and the others will be sent to the various APPF zone headquarters to help manage APPF operations around the country.

The APPF is creating mobile training teams in order to increase its overall training capacity, according to Richard Power, senior education and training advisor for the APPF Advisory Group. The APPF training center is currently able to train about 220 guards per month at a time. When renovations are completed at the training center and mobile training teams are up and running, the APPF will have the ability to train up to 1,500 guards per month, said Power.

Story source:  "APPF Lieutenants Start Train-the-Trainer Course", Allied Command Operations NATO, March 14, 2012.  Learn more about the Afghan Public Protection Force here.

Soldier Who Allegedly Killed 16 Civilians in Panjwai, Afghanistan Massacre Identified as SSG Robert Bales

Fox News has released the name of the Soldier who allegedly committed the killings of 16 civilians in the Panjwai massacre earlier this month. His name is Staff Sergeant Robert Bales. Bales is being flown to a military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  See "Sources ID soldier suspected in Afghan massacre", Fox News, March 16, 2012. Learn more about the Panjwai massacre here.

Recruiting Continues for Afghan Local Police (ALP) Program in Afghanistan

Members of the Combined Joint Special Operations Force - Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A) and their Afghan National Army (ANA) counterparts (typically the ANA Special Forces and ANA Commandos) are continuing their efforts to expand the Afghan Local Police (ALP) program into new villages and communities. The photo seen here shows members of U.S. special operations and the 8th Commando Kandak in a village in Zabul discussing the ALP program with villagers. (Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Dillon - CJSOTF-A Media Operations Center).

Karzai Wants ISAF Out of Afghan Villages

In a reaction to the Panjwai massacre President Karzai wants all NATO troops to withdraw from Afghan villages to large bases. He has stated that Afghan security forces are now ready to take over all security responsibilities now. This will have an adverse effect on ISAF's plans for an orderly transition to Afghan security forces over the next few years. Part of that transition includes the use of special operations forces working in Afghan villages with the Afghan Local Police or ALP as part of the Village Stability Operations or VSO program. Read more in "Karzai Urges NATO Withdrawal From Afghan Villages", Voice of America, March 15, 2012.

Things Our Military Generals Talk About with Each Other but Can't Say in Public about the Afghan War

What are some true things that our generals can't say in public about the Afghan war?

1.  Pakistan is now an enemy of the United States.
2. We don't know why we are here, what we are fighting for, or how to know if we are winning.
3. The strategy is to fight, talk, and build.  But we're withdrawing the fighters, the Taliban won't talk, and the builders are corrupt.
4. Karzai's family is especially corrupt.  (see corruption in Afghanistan).

My favorite is below:

18.  We are ignoring the advisory effort and fighting the "big war" with American troops, just as we did in Vietnam. And the U.S. military won't act any differently and work with the Afghan forces seriously until American politicians significantly draw down U.S. forces in country - when it may be too damn late.

Read the rest in "19 true things generals can't say in public about the Afghan war: A helpful primer", The Best Defense Blog, November 9, 2011.  Although dated Nov 2011 all 19 are still true today!

DoD Announces Upcoming Afghanistan Unit Deployments for Spring 2012: 76th Inf Bde, 173rd BCT, 12th CAB

The Department of Defense today identified three major units to deploy as part of the upcoming rotation of forces operating in Afghanistan. The Spring 2012 scheduled rotation involves one brigade combat team headquarters with more than 70 personnel; one brigade combat team with more than 3,600 personnel; and a combat aviation brigade with more than 2,400 personnel to include:

Headquarters unit (rotation began last month):

76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Headquarters, Indiana Army National Guard

Brigade Combat Team and Combat Aviation Brigade:

173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy

12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Katterbach, Germany

To read the entire story see:
http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=15118

MG Mark Gurganus: What I meant to say!

Our general officers have brought the art of doublespeak to a high level of expertise.

An incident took place while Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta's plane was landing at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Camp Bastion is run by the British. An Afghan man stole a truck (Toyota Hi-Lux), drove it onto the runway while the plane was landing, and headed down the runway toward the reception party at a high rate of speed. He crashed the truck in a ditch. The truck either caught fire or the driver set the truck on fire. The end result is the driver caught fire as well and later died.

MG Mark Gurgnaus, the new head of Regional Command Southwest (RC Southwest) - where Helmand Province is located - was in the reception party as were other high ranking officers. The general said in a press conference shortly after the incident that there were no repercussions in his area of operations due to the Panjwai massacre - not even a two-man demonstration.

The real story? The Afghan man, an interpreter employed on the base, came close to running over the general and the reception party for the Secretary of Defense. The general and his party took evasive action to avoid the attack. Just 30 minutes prior to the attempt attack, the Afghan man drove over a British military member - who is now in stable condition. The plane carrying Panetta was diverted to another area. "See Top Marine targeted in vehicle runway crash", Fox News, March 16, 2012.

Later in the day Marines were assembled at Camp Bastion to listen to a speech by the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta during his recent visit to Afghanistan. What was unusual about this appearance was that the Marines were instructed to leave the hall, go outside, stack their weapons, and then return to their seats. This is the first time that anyone has ever heard of this happening in any war. Seems the general in charge of RC Southwest - MG Mark Gurganus - gave the order. Looks like the general doesn't trust his own Marines. See "Marines told to disarm before Panetta speech", CNN, March 14, 2012.

Things that make you go "Hmmmmmm". For more behind the story news on this incident see "Afghan interpreter targeted top US Marine general, officers in Helmand", Threat Matrix, The Long War Journal, March 16, 2012.

Deciphering Karzai's Rhetoric

Karzai has just recently announced that ISAF should withdraw its forces from Afghan villages and put them on large bases. He has also said that the Afghan security forces are ready to take over the security responsiblity for the country. The first statement flies in the face of logic and the second is wishful thinking. Does he really mean it or is it meant for the domestic audience? Read one commentators thoughts on this topic in "Afghan President Karzai's angry ultimatums have parallels in post-colonial Africa", The Christian Science Monitor, March 15, 2012.

Canadians Look at Usefulness of Continuing Afghan Mission

For the most part, Canadian combat troops have now left Afghanistan; however, there are over one thousand deployed there in support, staff, or training positions. The Canadians, as other NATO partners have, are looking at the usefulness of "sticking it out" to 2014. Considering the Afghan "insider killings", recent black eyes suffered by ISAF (Koran burning, Panjwai killings, etc.), Karzai's zaniness, Afghan government corruption, and more the Canadians cannot be faulted for re-evaluating the Afghan mission. Read more on this topic - "Perhaps Canada has done what it can in Afghanistan", The Vancouver Sun, March 15, 2012.

Panjwai Killings Suspect Still Unnamed

The military still refuses to provide the name of the US Army Staff Sergeant who allegedly committed the Panjwai killings; although they are starting to run out of time based on previous statements. One possible reason is to protect the Soldier's family; the family has been relocated to a secure location. Read more in "Days after Afghanistan massacre, suspect unnamed", Seattle PI.com, March 15, 2012.

United Nations General-Secretary Chief Concerned about Abuses of Afghan Local Police (ALP)

"UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (Reuters) - The U.N. mission in Afghanistan should place a greater priority on protecting human rights after Afghan security forces were accused of violations, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report released on Thursday. Ahead of a U.N. Security Council vote next week to renew the mandate of the political and development mission, Ban raised concern about the Afghan Local Police, which U.S. officials believe could become more important as foreign forces withdraw."

The UN Secretary-General says the Afghan Local Police (ALP) are increasing security but also need to be under control of the Afghan government. Unfortunately, his statement is ill-informed. He has mistakenly lumped the ALP in with the group of militias that operate independent of the Afghan government. The ALP come under the control of the District Chief of Police (DCoP) and are part of the Ministry of Interior (MoI). His concerns are misplaced. Read the rest of the story in "U.N. chief concerned about Afghan rights abuse", AlertNet, March 15, 2012.

Hybrid Solar and Wind Power Equipment to be Deployed to Small Remote Outposts in Afghanistan

The U.S. Army will soon be deploying hybrid solar and wind power equipment that will provide enough energy to help power small remote outposts in Afghanistan. This initiative is all part of the Army's 'Energy to the Edge' program - see "Rapid Equipping Force develops 'Energy to the Edge' program", Army.mil, August 5, 2011.

Some of the equipment being fielded under the program includes:
Solar Stik 3.0 kW Hybrid System
ZeroBase H-Series 5kW Regenerator
Iris Technologies Personal Power System
Qinetig 1kW JP-8 Generator

Will Women be Abandoned When the Taliban Join the Afghan Government?

The departure of ISAF troops from Afghanistan by 2014 is hailed as a good thing by many people. Karzai says he doesn't need us anymore (but he loves our money), the Afghan people don't seem to appreciate us, and many believe we have accomplished our mission (bin Laden is dead, the Taliban are out of power, and the Afghans have a government and military).

However the departure will not bode well for the women of Afghanistan who have benefited greatly with the fall of the Taliban by the U.S. military (and its allies) since 2001. Some wonder if the current government will survive. It is possible that the Taliban could re-gain control of the south and southeast parts of Afghanistan and/or assume an important role in the Afghan government as the result of negotiations between the Taliban and the United States.

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, a fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations and author of the book "The Dressmaker of Khair Khana", provides us with some insight on the dilemma of women with the coming withdrawal of ISAF from Afghanistan in 2014. Read her article in "U.S. must not abandon Afghan women to the Taliban", CNN, March 15, 2012.

U.S. Gives Afghanistan $238 Million for Rule of Law, Counternarcotics, and Law Enforcement

U.S. Government Provides Funding for Continuation of
Key Rule of Law and Counternarcotics Programs in Afghanistan

Deputy Foreign Minister Jawid Ludin and the U.S. Embassy’s Coordinating Director for Rule of Law and Law Enforcement Ambassador Stephen G. McFarland participated in a signing ceremony on March 11, in which the Government of the United States of America officially allocated over $238 million for rule of law, counternarcotics and law enforcement programs to be carried out jointly with the Government of Afghanistan. This agreement is a concrete example of the continuing commitment by the Government of the United States to our partnership with the Afghan people and their elected representatives to improve people’s lives across Afghanistan.

The funding will help the United States and Afghanistan to achieve two of our shared major strategic objectives in Afghanistan. The allotment will allow for better governance through the improved administration of justice and enhanced rule of law by supporting programs such as the Afghanistan Legal Education Project (ALEP), which publishes and distributes free legal textbooks that specifically address Afghanistan’s post-2004 legal system. It also offers studies towards a Legal Certificate for the American University of Afghanistan students pursuing majors in business, political science, and information technology. In the area of counternarcotics, the funding will support and expand current programs including the operation of 29 residential drug treatment centers located throughout Afghanistan, and will help further joint narcotics interdiction efforts.

Through this recent allocation of more than $238 million, the Government of the United States of America demonstrates its continued commitment to assisting the Afghan government and people in creating a safer and more secure Afghanistan.

Story from US Embassy posting on March 12, 2012  accessed at link below:
http://kabul.usembassy.gov/mou2.html
Learn more about the Rule of Law in Afghanistan:
http://www.afghanwarnews.info/ruleoflaw.htm

Pentagon Employs Solar Energy in Afghanistan

The Afghanistan War, as in all previous wars, has served as a testing ground for new equipment. This equipment can be lethal (as in weapons, ammunition, and explosives) or it can be non-lethal (as in support equipment like computers, communications, or life support). One area that the Department of Defense (DoD) is making great strides in is solar energy. A primary reason for this is the cost of providing energy in the form of fuel and batteries to the many scattered outposts in Afghanistan that are off the power grid. In addition, any fuel for trucks, generators, etc. that does get into Afghanistan has to be shipped over dangerous land routes (through Pakistan) and to its final destination in Afghanistan.

A recent article provides detailed information on the Pentagon's effort on the solar energy front. For instance, the military accounted for 20% of the solar initiatives for the entire government, DoD is incorporating renewable energy to support operational environments in Afghanistan, the military is reducing its dependence on foreign oil, and some bases in Afghanistan are completely powered by solar.

While the info provided is in depth it also has a political slant - be sure to read the last paragraph!  See "Pentagon Goes on Solar Energy Expedition in Afghanistan", Press Action, March 15, 2012.

Many Calls for Change in US Strategy in Afghanistan

The print media and Internet is full of commentators writing opinion pieces about whether we should stay in Afghanistan, keep our current strategy and timeline, or just start loading troops onto transport planes and fly them home. One opinion writer, Eugene Robinson - editor, foreign correspondent, author, and more - provides us with his thoughts on the subject. See "End the Afghan mission now", The Washington Post, March 12, 2012.

How Advisors Can Regain Trust in Afghanistan

Fernandao Lujan, a U.S. Army Major, wrote a piece recently about how to re-establish trust between Afghans and the U.S. military. Lujan is a Special Forces officer, has spent some time in Afghanistan as an AfPak Hand, speaks a little of the language, knows some of the culture, and spent much of his Afghan trip working with Afghan military units as a member of the Counterinsurgency Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT). He offers advice for those military members who will work in an advisory role in Afghanistan over the next several years.  Read Lujan's article in "How to get Afghans to trust us once again", The Washington Post, March 2, 2012.

Mission Accomplished in Afghanistan

While many commentators have been stating that our mission in Afghanistan has failed and it is time to bring the troops home - other commentators believe that the mission is accomplished and it is time to bring the troops home. It is likely the withdrawal of U.S. troops will be accelerated. There will be a reduction of about 22,000 by September of 2012 and another redeployment possible by the middle of 2013. Read the comments of Romesh Ratnesar - deputy editor of Bloomberg Businessweek and a fellow at the New America Foundation in "In Afghanistan, the U.S. Mission Is Accomplished", Bloomberg Businessweek, March 14, 2012.

Village Stability Operations Explanation

Carmen Gentile has wrote a piece about the Village Stability Operations program in Afghanistan. In this program, called VSO for short, special operations teams move into rural communities and establish Village Stability Platforms. These small organizations built around the special operations teams work with local community leaders to enhance governance and development at the same time trying to improve the security situation. They frequently work with the Afghan Local Police or ALP. The recent shooting of sixteen Panjwai civilians took place at one of these VSO locations.

See the article by Carmen Gentile entitled "Afghanistan massacre casts pall over village operations", USA Today, March 15, 2012.

Examining the Afghan Mission

David Ignatius, an opinion writer, has commented on the reaction to the Panjwai massacre by a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and the current Afghan strategy that the U.S. is following. Read his comments in "How to end the Afghan mission", The Washington Post, March 13, 2012.

Missouri Agribusiness Development Team (ADT) Leaves for Afghanistan Deployment

The sixth Agribusiness Development Team from the Missouri National Guard is departing for Afghanistan. The first ADT left for Missouri in 2007 and deployed to Nangarhar Province. 

"The Agribusiness Development Team has agriculture specialists including project managers, engineers, instructors, legal advisors and security forces personnel. More than a dozen states—including Texas, Indiana, Iowa and Kansas—now have teams in Afghanistan to provide help to the Afghan people. The ADTs work closely with Afghan farmers and government and industry leaders."

This sixth team has a mix of Soldiers and Airmen and will also deploy to Nangarhar Province. You can learn more about agriculture in Afghanistan here.

"Missouri Agribusiness Development Team VI will focus on energy, education, resource management, irrigation and water issues, value-added enterprises and food safety. The team, composed of specialists in agricultural animals, agronomy, hydrology, pest management, soil science, security and marketing, will relieve the fifth Missouri Agribusiness Development Team."

 Read more about the 6th ADT from Missouri here - "Missouri Agribusiness Development Team Departs for Afghanistan", National Guard, March 12, 2012.

The Wisconsin Army National Guard is conducting preparations to deploy an Agribusiness Development Team in late 2012. See a contract solicitation for ADT agricultural training to take place in July 2012 for the ADT.

Village Stability Operations (VSO) Program Under Scrutiny

One of the unfortunate (among many) effects of the Panjwai massacre is the high-lighting of the Village Stability Operations or VSO program. The SSG who committed the killings was a conventional Soldier attached to a special operations team conducting VSO at a small compound called Belandai Base (named for a nearby village) in Panjwai district, Kandahar province.  As the correspondents and commentators filter through the news reports they are learning more about the VSO program. Many will make the leap that the VSO program is somehow at fault - which would be a huge mistake. For instance, see "Massacre by U.S. Soldier clouds NATO's Afghan strategy", AlertNet, March 14, 2012. Learn more about the Village Stability Operations program.

US Army SSG Who Committed Panjwai Massacre Flown Out of Afghanistan

The Pentagon has confirmed that the Soldier who allegedly committed the murder of 16 Afghan villagers in Panjwai district, Kandahar province has been flown out of Afghanistan. He departed on Wednesday evening - 13 March.  His destination is unknown but he may likely end up in the prison at Fort Leavenworth. Learn more about the Panjwai massacre here.  See a news article about the departure of the Soldier from Afghanistan - "Accused US soldier flown out of Afghanistan", Stars and Stripes, March 14, 2012.

Afghan Local Police (ALP) to Have Key Role in Afghanistan's Future After Drawdown

ALP candidates at shura in Nawbahar
 district, Zabul province.
 (Photo: PO2C David Brandenburg)

With the anticipated draw down of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan by mid-2013 the fight will be carried on by the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The two main components of the ANSF are the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP). The Afghan National Police (ALP) are a key component in this fight. Currently there are about 12,000 ALP members (as of February 2012) with a growth projected to almost triple that number in the next few years. These Afghan Local Police, who are part of the Ministry of Interior, will be an important element in gaining and sustaining local support for the district, provincial, and national government. The Afghan Local Police are recruited from the local area - so there are ties to this police force at the local community level. The local community holds a shura with village elders, district officials, and the district chief of police to validate the Afghan Local Police recruits. This relationship is different than an ANA or ANP unit from a different part of the country being stationed in the local Afghan community - with the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic differences. The ALP are advised and trained by special operations teams of the Combined Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan or CJSOTF-A as a part of the Village Stability Operations (VSO) program. Learn more about the Afghan Local Police of Afghanistan.

Natural Gas in Afghanistan: Promise for the Future?

If the conflict in Afghanistan can ever be settled there is some hope for the future in Afghanistan - at least in the realm of its energy needs. A recent news report on the significant amounts of recoverable natural gas in northern Afghanistan points to the possibility that the country's energy needs could be met for many years to come. Read more in "Afghanistan: Does War-Battered Country Have Energy Wealth?", by Pierre Bertrand, International Business Times, March 14, 2012.

UK PM Cameron's View of Afghanistan

On a recent trip to the United States the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom provided his insight on the Afghan War. He believes that there is a desire on the part of NATO to end the conflict in Afghanistan and an acceptance that Afghanistan will not have a "perfect democracy". He believes a suitable goal is an Afghanistan that can provide for its own security, that won't be a haven for terror, and that does not need the involvement of foreign troops. The UK currently has 9,500 troops in Afghanistan. Read a news articles on his comments about Afghanistan in "Cameron Says Afghans Won't Have Perfect Democracy When NATO Goes", Bloomberg Business Week, March 13, 2012 and "Britain wants endgame in Afghanistan, says David Cameron", The Telegraph, March 14, 2012.

What the Polls Say About American Support for Afghan War

The latest polls find dwindling support for the war in Afghanistan. 60 percent of Americans see the war as not worth its costs. Read more on the poll numbers in "Poll: Few in U.S. sense Afghan support for war", The Washington Post, March 11, 2012.

Obama Faces Criticism on Afghan Policy

A columnist, Michael Cohen, reviews President Obama's record on Afghanistan and finds it weak. He says that Obama began looking for a political settlement much too late, did not do a comprehensive review of the war until later in his presidency, ordered a surge of 30,000 troops with "a fuzzy set of objectives", and based the wars strategy on "assumptions about Afghanistan and Pakistan that turned out to be quite faulty". He concludes that Obama faces some criticism this fall as he prepares for the election when more attention focuses on Afghanistan. Read the rest of his article in "Kicking the Afghan Can", Foreign Policy, March 13, 2012.

Things Get Tougher for Special Operations in Afghanistan

Things are going to get tougher for the Special Operations Forces (SOF) that will inherit the mess that is now Afghanistan in 2014. The recent events that have taken place (urinating on bodies, Koran burning, Panjwai killings, etc.) are testing the limits of trust between ISAF and Afghan security forces and the Afghan population's acceptance of an occupation force. Read one man's assessment of the situation - Dan Cox is an associate professor of political science for the U.S. Army School of Advanced Studies (SAMS). See "The Test Case in Afghanistan for Special Operating Forces", Small Wars Journal, March 12, 2012.

One Small Anti-Corruption Victory in Afghanistan by U.S. Special Forces

Corruption is everywhere in Afghanistan.  So it is refreshing to read about an anti-corruption victory from time to time. Read about one anti-corruption operation that recently took place in Laghman Province conducted by U.S. Special Forces (USSF) and the Provincial Response Company (PRC) in February 2012.  See "U.S. Special Forces Take Down Corrupt Afghan Officials, One At A Time", AOL Defense, March 13, 2012.

Time to Wind Down in Afghanistan?

An editorial looks at what we have accomplished in Afghanistan and what the future will likely bring us. It's conclusion is that the right strategy is to wind down our involvement in Afghanistan. Read more in "Afghanistan on edge", LA Times, March 13, 2012.

Afghanistan: Time to Go? One Columnist Says Yes.

Many leading officials in government, the military, and in Congress are conducting a reassessment of what we have accomplished in ten years and what we could hope to accomplish by 2014. That reassessment is not optimistic. Some are advocating cutting our losses. Some sources say we have lost 1,800 U.S. military with 15,000 wounded. The war has cost us about $400 billion and much of it unaccounted for due to Afghan government corruption. Read Michael Hirsh's column where he says administration officials and members of Congress are thinking "It is time to go". See "The Coming Upheaval in U.S. Afghanistan Strategy", National Journal, March 12, 2012.

One Viewpoint: U.S. Leaders Not Setting Achievable Objectives for Afghanistan

Jeremi Suri, a professor of history and public affairs at the University of Texas, provides his viewpoint on the situation in Afghanistan. He tells us that the last month has been very difficult for U.S. forces in Afghanistan (Quran burning, Panjwai massacre, etc.), that there are parallels to Vietnam in 1968 (My Lai), and that it is difficult to do nation-building at the same time that you are drawing down troop levels and implementing an exit strategy. Read his column in "America's self-defeating cycle in Afghanistan", CNN Opinion, March 12, 2012.

Call for New U.S. Strategy - By Anthony Cordesman

The recent events of the Quran burning and killing spree in Panjwai have caused many observers to comment on the current strategy we have for Afghanistan - and changes to that strategy we should consider. Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) provides us the Afghan perspective and the U.S. perspective of the situation in Afghanistan and with three strategy options. The first strategy he calls "exit by denial", the second is "honest exit", and the third is "real transition". Read more on his thoughts on strategy in "New U.S. strategy needed in Afghanistan", CNN World, March 13, 2012.

Billions of Dollars Leave Afghanistan Every Year for Foreign Banks

Billions of dollars leave Afghanistan every year for foreign bank accounts. The uncertain future and insecurity in the country has been a deciding factor in the movement of large amounts of money from Afghanistan to places like Dubai where the Afghan elite have purchased expensive villas. With its weak financial institutions, rampant corruption, and poor oversight of aid money provided to the Afghan government it is very easy to move money out of the country. Read more in "Insecurity threatens Afghanistan with economic crisis", Chicago Tribune, March 12, 2012.

Book - "No Way Out" by Mitch Weiss and Kevin Maurer

A new book has been published about a Special Forces team caught in an ambush in Shok Valley in 2008. The book is titled "No Way Out: A Story of Valor in the Mountains of Afghanistan". The authors are Kevin Maurer and Mitch Weiss; Maurer and Weiss are journalists who have experience in Afghanistan. Ten members of the Special Forces team earned Silver Stars during the day-long fire fight in the Shok Valley in the mountains of northeastern Afghanistan. Learn more about the book and purchase it online a Amazon.com No Way Out: A Story of Valor in the Mountains of Afghanistan.  Read more about the Battle of Shok Valley and the book.

Ten Years Later: Are Women Better Off in Afghanistan?

With the war in Afghanistan now lasting over ten years many observers (and critics) are looking back at the accomplishments (and failures) of the coalition involvement to judge the progress in many areas. An important area is the advancement of women's rights, status, and well-being.  A recent news article by CNN weighs in on the topic.  See "Are Afghan women better off after a decade of war?", CNN Opinion, March 8, 2012. The author of the article is Heather Barr - an Afghanistan Researcher for Human Rights Watch.  She has lived in Kabul, Afghanistan since 2007.

Paper - "Equal Rights, Unequal Opportunities" on Women's Participation in Afghanistans Elections

The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) has released a new paper that deals with women's rights in Afghanistan. It is entitled "Equal Rights, Unequal Opportunities: Women's Participation in Afghanistan's Parliamentary and Provincial Council Elections", by multiple authors, dated March 2012. The paper is available on the AREU website in Adobe Acrobat PDF format here. Learn more about women in Afghanistan. A brief description of the document (taken from the AREU website) is below:

"The establishment of a democratic system under Afghanistan’s 2004 constitution has without doubt led to an unprecedented expansion of political participation for its women. In the years that have followed, millions of women have turned out to vote in successive rounds of presidential, legislative and provincial elections. Thousands more have competed for positions in parliament and the provincial councils. A new AREU paper explores some of the dynamics of women’s participation as candidates and voters in these elections, drawing on conversations with successful and unsuccessful female candidates, along with men and women in six study communities spread across Balkh, Bamiyan and Kabul provinces."

Pentagon Officials Say Panjwai Gunman Acted Alone

Pentagon spokesmen have released a statement saying that the US Soldier who committed the killings of civilians in Panjwai district in Afghanistan acted alone.  See "Officials Believe Gunman Acted Alone, Press Secretary Says", American Forces Press Service, March 12, 2012.

Afghan Corruption and Graft Hampers U.S. Efforts

Afghan corruption and graft have severely hampered the efforts of the United States to defeat the Taliban and build government institutions in Afghanistan.  President Karzai, of course, is the principal culprit.  He provides protection to his political cronies who have been able to get rich on the billions of dollars that have been pumped into the government coffers of Afghanistan. Read more in "Intractable Afghan Graft Hampering U.S. Strategy", by Matthew Rosenberg and Graham Bowley in The New York Times, March 7, 2012.

Apologizing for Mistakes in Afghanistan

With all the mistakes being made in Afghanistan - killing sprees, Quran burnings, urinating on Taliban bodies - the President and others have been doing their fair share of apologizing.  There are different ways of apologizing and varying views on whether saying "I am sorry" is necessary or effective. Read more in "The Politics of Sorry", by Karl E. Meyer in Foreign Policy, March 12, 2012.

Insurgents Turn to Peace in Qala-e-Naw, Badghis Province - Reintegration at Work

A British war correspondent, Sean Rayment, visits Qala-e-Naw, Badghis Province, Afghanistan to view the Afghan governments reintegration program at work. The reintegration of insurgents back into society is aided by the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program or APRP.  While in northwestern Afghanistan the correspondent observed the APRP process and met with several Taliban to include a former Taliban commander. Read his in depth article on how the APRP process is working in this northwestern part of Afghanistan in "The drive to turn the Taliban to peace", The Telegraph, March 11, 2012.

Statement by SecDef Panetta on Panjwei Killing Spree

Statement by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta
on the Tragic Incident in Kandahar Province
(March 11, 2012)

“Today I spoke to President Karzai to offer my deepest condolences and profound regret for the tragic incident in Kandahar province that resulted in the loss of life and injuries to innocent Afghan civilians, including women and children.

“A full investigation is already underway. A suspect is in custody, and I gave President Karzai my assurances that we will bring those responsible to justice. We will spare no effort in getting the facts as quickly as possible, and we will hold any perpetrator who is responsible for this violence fully accountable under the law.

“I condemn such violence and am shocked and saddened that a U.S. service member is alleged to be involved, clearly acting outside his chain of command. I told President Karzai that the American people share the outrage felt by President Karzai and his fellow citizens. This tragic incident does not reflect the commitment of the U.S. military to protect the Afghan people and help build a strong and stable Afghanistan.

“As we mourn today with the Afghan people, we are steadfast in our resolve to work hand in hand with our Afghan partners to accomplish the missions and goals on which we have been working together for so long. This terrible incident does not reflect our shared values or the progress we have made together. As I told President Karzai, I am fully committed to ensuring that our cooperation continues. It is essential to forging a more peaceful future for the citizens of both our nations.”

View the news release here.  Learn more about the Panjwei civilian killings by US Soldier.

High Peace Council Member Provides Insight on Negotiations with Taliban

A member of the Afghan High Peace Council, Maulvi Qalamuddin, provided an interview that gives some insight on the possible path that future negotiations with the Taliban may take.  Maulvi Qalamuddin is a former member of the Taliban and was the former deputy minister for the General Department for the Promotion of Virtue and Elimination of Vice during the Taliban regime.  He was appointed to the High Peace Council in September 2010 by President Karzai.  The High Peace Council is engaged in reaching out to Taliban leaders as well as overseeing the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program (APRP).  Read more in "A new kind of Taliban: An interview with Maulvi Qalamuddin", AFPAK Channel, March 8, 2012.

ISAF Press Release on Civilian Casualties of Shooting Spree in Panjwai District, Kandahar Province

The ISAF Deputy Commander has released a statement on the Panjwai District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan civilian casualties caused by a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant. The text is below:

KABUL, Afghanistan – The Deputy Commander, International Security Assistance Force, Lt. Gen. Adrian J. Bradshaw, released the following statement today:

“In my role as in-theatre commander of ISAF in Gen. Allen’s temporary absence on duty, I wish to convey my profound regrets and dismay at the actions apparently taken by one coalition member in Kandahar province. One of our soldiers is reported to have killed and injured a number of civilians in villages adjacent to his base. I cannot explain the motivation behind such callous acts, but they were in no way part of authorized ISAF military activity. An investigation is already underway and every effort will be made to establish the facts and hold anyone responsible to account. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with those caught in this tragedy. I wish once again, on behalf of Gen. Allen and all members of ISAF, to convey our deep regrets and sorrow at this appalling incident.

Learn more about this incident at Panjwai Civilian Shooting Spree by US Army Soldier.

Read the ISAF news release online here:
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/85060/isaf-deputy-commander-statement-civilian-casualties-kandahar

US Soldier Kills Afghan Civilians in Panjwai District, Kandahar Province

A US Soldier has reportedly killed at least 16 Afghan civilians in the early morning hours of March 11, 2012 in the Panjwai district, Kandahar province. The deaths include women and children. The Soldier had reportedly suffered a breakdown before the attacks.  Read news accounts and learn more about the killing of Afghan civilians in Panjwai district.

Use of APPF for Security in Afghanistan Limiting Development Firms Operations

Some private firms that do development work for the United States government in Afghanistan are apprehensive of the security that will be provided by the Afghan Public Protection Force or APPF.  The deteriorating situation in Afghanistan has caused a reassessment of whether the development firms can continue their work. Billions of dollars of projects are at risk. At least two companies have decided to finish their current projects and then leave Afghanistan and other firms have slowed down the pace of the projects in order to protect their workers. The aid workers are very critical of the switch from private security firms to the Afghan Public Protection Force. They point out that the Afghan National Police (ANP) is one of the least effective institutions in the country rife with corruption and inefficiency and doubt that the APPF will do any better than the ANP. The Ministry of Interior has control of both organizations. Read more in "Security Fears Lead Groups to Rethink Work in Afghanistan", by Matthew Rosenberg and Graham Bowley, The New York Times, March 10, 2012.

An Analysis of the Afghan Koran Burning

Ricard Falk, an international law and international relations scholar, provides an in depth analysis of the recent Koran burning incident in Afghanistan by U.S. military members. He concludes that the United States government does not appreciate the seriousness of the incident.  See "Koran Burning in Afghanistan: Mistake, Crime, and Metaphor", Foreign Policy Journal, March 10, 2012.  Read more about the Koran burning incident.

Detention Center in Afghanistan to Come Under Afghan Control

A U.S. run prison (detention center for combatants) will be turned over to the Afghanistan authorities in a phased planned that will span six months.  Many western military observers worry about the security of an Afghan-run prison system citing many human rights abuses and corruption.  Members of the Taliban have frequently been able to bribe their way out of detention in Afghan prisons.  Read more in "U.S. reaches agreement to turn over Afghan detention center", CNN.com, March 9, 2012 and "US gives up Afghan jail in deal to stay after 2014", The Sydney Morning Herald, March 11, 2012.

Danish Special Forces to Train Afghan Special Police Response Company

Soldiers from the Danish Navy SEALs and the Hunter Corps (Special Forces units within the Royal Danish Navy and the Royal Danish Army) have taken over responsibility for the training of the Afghan special police force in the city of Lashkar Gah, the capital of the Helmand province.

They will teach, advise, and mentor 125 Afghan policemen for the next two years. It is part of the overall plan to enable the Afghans to be in charge of security operations from 2014. Until now British soldiers have trained the rapid reaction force but from Monday, March 5th, the Danish soldiers from DANCON Team 13 will continue their work. The Afghan Response Company will react quickly to high-risk tasks in the entire province.

On this training mission, the Special Forces will be joined by several advisors from the Danish police and civil services. This will ensure that the Afghans are introduced to a comprehensive training programme that will also include evidence collection, planning of operations, etc.

Info taken from "Danish Special Forces train Afghan Special Police Force", Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, March 7, 2012.