Warrants May Be Required for Afghan Night Raids By U.S. Special Forces

President Karzai is pushing for an end to night raids by U.S. and ISAF special operations forces. Currently Afghan Commando and Special Forces units are working with coalition special operations forces with the Afghan units in the lead for night raids. Karzai is trying to limit ISAFs participation even further with the introduction of warrant-based raids. This didn't work well for coalition forces in Iraq and it will work even worse in Afghanistan. Hopefully the U.S. takes a hard line on this. See "Afghan Night Raids May Need Warrants Under U.S. Offer to Karzai", Bloomberg, March 20, 2012.

Warrant-Based Targeting and Law Enforcement Model for Afghanistan?

Are we moving to a warrant-based targeting and law enforcement model in Afghanistan? Indications are that we will be doing that soon. We did the same in Iraq and it significantly diminished the ability of our forces to operate there. The same can be expected in Afghanistan. Corruption is spread throughout the Afghan National Police (ANP). The judicial system is a joke. Rule of Law is a highly-sought after but elusive ideal. Hopefully the warrant-based targeting system will be introduced AFTER 2014 - because I don't see it working at all in Afghanistan. Read more on this in "Moving to Warrant-Based Targeting and the Law Enforcement Model in Afghanistan?", by Robert Chesney, Lawfare Blog, March 20, 2012.

Gen Allen Testimony Before Congress

General Allen testified before Congress on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 (the first of three days of testimony). The top allied commander in Afghanistan covered a range of topics to include the time-table for departure, shifting focus from southern Afghanistan to eastern Afghanistan, Afghan sensitivities in regards to administration of prisons, night raids by ISAF special forces, and transition of security responsibilities from ISAF to Afghan security forces. In addition, he addressed the recent problems associated with the Koran burnings and the Panjwai killings. He acknowledged that insurgencies have seldom been defeated by foreign forces - that history shows indigenous forces accomplish this counterinsurgency task best. Thus he states that transition to the Afghans doing the fighting is both the exit means and the strategy for success after our departure. Read a news article about his testimony in "U.S. General Sees No Sudden Afghan Drawdown", The New York Times, March 20, 2012.

Is the Afghan Army Ready?

Many observers are wondering if the Afghan Army is ready to assume full responsibility for security in Afghanistan as the coalition troops reduce their numbers and transition from combat operations to an "advise and assist" role. The Afghan National Army (ANA) should have an end-strength of almost 200,000 personnel by the end of 2013. However, there are many questions to include will they show up for work, is their training good enough, how effective will they be, and will they fight? Read more in "How Ready Is The Afghan Army?", Voice of America, March 20, 2012.

Special Forces Task Force 10 in Afghanistan - ATVs, Beards, Secret Bases, and More

A correspondent recently had the opportunity to spend a week with a Special Forces element working for Task Force 10 in Afghanistan. Read his article entitled "Secret Bases, ATVs, Awesome Beards: Inside a Special Forces Team in Afghanistan", Wired.com Danger Room, March 20, 2012.

US Plan for Withdrawal from Afghanistan (2012-2014)

The plan for the US withdrawal is slowly taking shape. The goal is for the US and NATO to turn over all security responsilities to the Afghans by the end of 2014 if not sooner. The drawdown will start this spring. By fall of 2012 we should be down to 68,000 troops in Afghanistan. By late 2013 ISAF will stop conducting combat operations. Details of the withdrawal are available on the Long War Journal website. See "US withdrawal from Afghanistan: the plan for 212, 2013, and 2014", by CJ Radin, March 18, 2012.

Publication - "The Haqqani Network" by Jeffrey Dressler (March 2012)

Jeffry Dressler, of The Institute for the Study of War, has wrote a new publication entitled "The Haqqani Network: A Strategic Threat" dated March 2012. It is in PDF format and can be accessed here. Jeffrey Dressler is a Senior Research Analyst at the Institute for the Study of War and has conducted extensive research on the Afghan War.

The Haqqani Network operates in southeastern Afghanistan. Over the past several years the Haqqani Network has increased its operational capability. It enjoys sanctuary across the border in Pakistan. It also benefits from significant support from the Pakistan military and intelligence organizations.

1st Infantry Division to Command Regional Command East in Afghanistan

The 1st Infantry Division will take over command of Regional Command East in Afghanistan from the 1st Cavalry Division. The switch takes place in April 2012. RC East includes 14 provinces and a 450 mile border region with Pakistan. Even though ISAF is starting to withdraw forces the emphasis on the fighting is supposed to switch from RC South to RC East this fighting season. The commander of the 1st Infantry Division, MG William Mayville, is a very experienced Afghan hand - with three previous Afghan tours. His most recent tour was in 2009-2012 as the operations chief for Gen. Stanley McChrystal. RC East consists of five U.S. combat brigades and two ISAF brigades (one Polish and one French). Read more in "Storied Army unit moving into Afghanistan's east", Fox News, March 20, 2012.

General Allen to Brief Congress on Afghan War this Week

General John Allen and Defense Department Policy Undersecretary James Allen will brief both houses of Congress this week on the Afghan War. Read more in "The week ahead: Top commander to brief Congress on Afghanistan", The Hill Blog, March 19, 2012.

Task Force ODIN Afghanistan an ISR Asset

(Photo by SSG Jack Carlson DVIDS)

Task Force ODIN Afghanistan will be busy even though most of the U.S. military is departing Afghanistan over the next two years. ODIN stands for Observe, Detect, Identify, and Neutralize. The unit was first established in Iraq. Task Force ODIN is an Intelligence and Security Command forward-deployed unit. TF ODIN consists of four aviation and intelligence companies and several detachments. TF ODIN operates a variety of fixed-wing airplanes and UAS vehicles. Read more about TF ODIN in "Task Force ODIN contributes to future Army aviation operations", DVIDS, March 17, 2012.

President Obama Leading the Afghan War Effort

One observer of the Afghan War says that despite recent PR setbacks (Koran burning, Panjwai killings, and more) that President Obama is doing the right thing in Afghanistan. He states that by holding firm in the face of calls for a quick departure in Afghanistan that Obama is showing the leadership needed for the Afghan solution. Read more in "The President finally leads the war effort", Foreign Policy, March 16, 2012.

Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF) Revises Implementation Schedule; Extension Approved

The implementation of the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF) is being slowed down once again. The negotiations are taking more time than expected and the transition is not going as quickly as the Afghan government wants. Some sources have said the process is "chaotic". The entire transition to APPF for security was supposed to have been completed by March 21, 2012. However, the Afghan government just provided an extension of 30 to 90 days depending on the company, organization, or activity.

Thus far (as of March 18, 2012) the APPF has signed 16 contracts with companies for security services and has licensed 14 Risk Management Companies or RMCs. It has been reported that there are a total of 75 companies that need to sign contracts for a larger number of development projects. Corruption is playing its usual part in the contract signing and licensing procedures.

Many private development companies said the transition to the APPF is putting the projects and the employees at risk. They say that the APPF will not be able to provide an adequate level of security and they worry that they have little control over the training and the procedures.

Read more in "Afghan government gives private security firms more time before ban", The Washington Times, March 18, 2012. For more on the poor implementation of the APPF see "Afghan private security handover looking messy", The Washington Times, February 12, 2012.

DoD Confirms Identity of Afghan Shooter - SSG Robert Bales

The Army has confirmed the identity of the Panjwai massacre shooter as SSG Robert Bales.  See the news release below:

Army Identifies Afghanistan Shooting Suspect

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service 

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2012 – The Army has identified the U.S. soldier accused of killing Afghan civilians in a March 11 rampage as Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, according to a statement released here last night.

Bales, from Fort Jensen Beach, Fla., is accused of leaving his base in Kandahar province in the middle of the night and shooting Afghans in their homes nearby. Afghan officials say 17 were killed.

The infantryman, who Army officials say completed sniper training and held three good conduct medals, was flown from Afghanistan March 14 to a military detention facility in Kuwait, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed during an interview last night during an interview with Charlie Rose in New York.

From Kuwait, Bales was transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and is being held in pre-trial confinement there at the Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility, a state-of-the-art, medium/minimum custody facility, Army officials said.

That facility provides pre- and post-trial confinement for U.S. military inmates sentenced to up to five years of confinement. It has 464 beds but the number of inmates in pre-trial confinement at any given time typically is around 12, Army Col. James Hutton, chief of media relations, said.

Also at Fort Leavenworth is the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, which houses military inmates sentenced to more than five years of confinement. Bales is being held in special housing in his own cell. He will be able to go outside the cell “for hygiene and recreational purposes,” Hutton said, and will be allowed religious support if he asks for it.

According to the Army release, Bales enlisted two months after 9/11 on Nov. 8, 2001, and was with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.

According to Bales’ service record, he had an associate’s degree from a 2-year college and his military training included warrior and advanced leaders courses, sniper training and combatives levels 1 and 2.

He was deployed three times to Iraq -- in 2003 for 12 months, in 2006 for 15 months and in 2009 for 10 months. He was deployed to Afghanistan on Dec. 1.

Besides three good conduct medals, Bales’ awards and decorations include two Iraq Campaign Medal Campaign Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, combat and expert Infantry Badges, six Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, two Meritorious Unit Commendations and an Army Superior Unit Award.

Learn more about the Panjai shootings here.

APPF is Expanding its Role in Taking over Private Security Company Functions and Responsibilities

Photo by USAF SSgt Terri Barriere

Afghanistan is steadily progressing in the transition from private security firms to the Afghan Public Protection Force or APPF for the security of development projects. This is in accordance with Karzai's presidential decree number 62. See a related story - "APPF assumes security responsibility for Tarakhil Power Plant", ISAF News Release, March 15, 2012.

Karzai's View of the United State's Approach to the War in Afghanistan

Karzai has recently demanded that NATO troops pull out of Afghan villages, stay on large bases, and hand over control of Afghan security in 2013 rather than 2014. In addition, he has been very vocal on ISAF discontinuing night raids, handing over control of the prisons and detention facilities, and closing down private security firms in favor of the Afghan Public Protection Program. Many observers feel that Karzai is out to lunch, crazy, and biting the hand that feeds him. Others would call him corrupt, ineffective, and erratic. One columnist attempts to explain Karzai's behavior. See "Why Karzai is fed up with the U.S. mission in Afghanistan", by Joshua Partlow in The Washington Post, March 16, 2012.

Negotiations: The Only War To End the Afghan War?

One noted observer of the Afghan War, Stephen Biddle - a Senior Fellow for Defense Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, believes that negotiations with the Taliban may be the best option to disengage from the conflict in Afghanistan. See "Ending the Afghan War", Council on Foreign Relations, March 16, 2012.

Afghanistan: Descent Into Chaos

Read an online posting by Jeff Smith on the failure in Afghanistan. Smith is the Director of the South Asia Program at the American Foreign Policy Council and author of numerous articles on Asian security affairs.

Smith believes that Afghanistan is intent to return to a state of chaos and ethnic conflict. He puts much of the blame on Pakistan for allowing the Taliban sanctuaries and providing aid and assistance to the Taliban. He then says the U.S. leadership should have recognized that the war could not be properly prosecuted unless Pakistan cooperated; and without that cooperation we should have withdrawn our troops from Afghanistan.

Read the post in "Afghanistan Seems Fixed on a Return to Chaos", U.S. News and World Report, March 16, 2012.

US Army Smartbook on Afghanistan Available for Download as Smartphone Application

The US Army now has a Smartbook that is available as a smartphone download on Afghanistan. Topics include history, political, relevant country data, military operational environment, religion and culture, ethnic groups, and more. It is written by the Army's TRADOC Culture Center and is entitled Afghanistan Smart Book. Learn more about the US Army smartbook as an app here "US Army smartbook now a smart app", Circling the Lion's Den, March 15, 2012. The Afghanistan Smart Book by the TRADOC Culture Center, 3rd Edition Jan 11 is available in PDF format for download at the following link: http://info.publicintelligence.net/AfghanSmartBook.pdf.

Should the U.S. Speed Up Its Withdrawal from Afghanistan?

Over the past month - since the Koran burnings, shootings of NATO troops by Afghan security personnel, and the Panjwai massacre - there have been calls for an accelerated withdrawal from Afghanistan from across the political spectrum. This topic is explored in a recent National Public Radio (NPR) broadcast with two opposing views. One view held by Jon Soltz -is the current counterinsurgency is not working. Another view, by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, is that if the U.S. pulls out now the Afghan civil society will suffer grave consequences. Read the transcript here in "Should the U.S. Speed Up Afghanistan Withdrawal?", NPR, March 16, 2012.

Worries on Transfer of Parwan Detention Facility to Afghan Control

President Karzai has made the transfer of the Parwan detention facility located at Bagram Air Field (just north of Kabul) one of his central themes during the talks on the strategic agreement with the U.S. to be signed soon. The U.S. caved on this issue agreeing to transfer the facility to Afghan control within six months. Many observers have grave concerns about the ability of the Afghans to run a prison effectively, and to ensure the detainees actually stay detained. In 2011 over 500 Taliban detainees escaped from a prison in Kandahar. In the past the Ministry of Justice ran the prison system in Afghanistan; however the prisons now come under the control of the Ministry of Interior. Unfortunately the Ministry of Interior does not seem to be doing a better job. The Afghans run the Pol-i-Charki prison with money, equipment, and mentorship from the U.S. - but they are often accused of human rights abuses and misconduct. Numerous abuses occur especially with the illegal body cavity searches of women visitors.

Read more in "US aid cutoff fails to end Afghan prison searches", Boston Globe, March 17, 2012 and "Afghan Prison's Invasive Searches of Female Vistors Stir Fear of Slipping Rights", The New York Times, March 16, 2012.

Counterterrorism vs. Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan

There are lots of folks out there who think we should be using a counterterrorism vice counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan. Add the columnist Fareed Zakaria to those folks. Read "Afghan counterterrorism strategy needed", CNN World, March 16, 2012.

Mining Marble in Herat, Afghanistan (USAID)

"Home to an estimated 400,000 people, the city of Herat lies on the ancient trade routes of the Middle East and Central and South Asia—just 50 miles from the Iranian border. The province bearing the same name is the largest and most significant urban area in western Afghanistan. Mining has occurred throughout Afghanistan for thousands of years. More than 60 known deposits of valuable stone are found nationwide, representing 35 varieties in more than 40 colors, including fine-grained white marbles.

The Herat region boasts many of the country’s largest and best-quality marble quarries. In a country struggling with widespread unemployment and poverty, the marble sector has the potential to generate thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of revenue for the region.Yet, despite these significant mineral deposits, the mining sector has been unable to meet even domestic demand, let alone the significantly larger demand from international markets."

Read the rest of the story here in "Hard Rock in Afghanistan", USAID Frontlines, March/April 2012.

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.