German NGOs Look to Future in Afghanistan

German Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that conduct humanitarian service work in Afghanistan are pondering what the future will look like in Afghanistan after the elections in April 2014 and the withdrawal of ISAF combat troops post-2014. For a long time many of the NGOs have advocated a separation between the activities of the military and those governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in the economic development and assisting governance. The NGOs complain that they are at risk of attack by insurgents if they work with or in conjunction with the NATO forces. In addition, there is usually a philosophical difference in approach to resolving conflicts and engaging in conflict that separates the two camps.

There are a few complicating factors that weigh in on the situation. One is that the Taliban have a poor record of observing the norm of not attacking civilians and unarmed non-combatants (see the news on the most recent bombing of a Kabul restaurant). This has, in many cases, forced NGOs to seek the protection of the military to get around the country to do their work. In addition, many NGOs are financed as "implementation partners" of the military and other government entities - so there are ties there as well. The military has also provided a unifying function in the establishment of Civil Military Operations Coordination Centers (CMOCCs) and Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) at the provincial level. Thus the military has gotten deeply involved in development and governance efforts. Many would argue that the military should conduct these development and governance activities as they are two key lines of effort of counterinsurgency.

Read more on this topic in "German NGOs assess role in post-NATO Afghanistan", EurActiv, January 20, 2014.

Congress Cuts Development Aid for Afghanistan by 50%

Congress has cut development aid to Afghanistan by 50%. In the massive spending bill signed into law the lawmakers provided $1.2 billion for fiscal 2014 for civilian assistance. Congress is less than happy with the performance of the Department of State and USAID in the management of funds. In addition, the gross corruption of the Afghan government and the erratic and irritating behavior of President Karzai has many feeling like it is time to pull the plug on financial assistance. Read more in "U.S. eyes options for Afghanistan after Congress cuts aid", Reuters, January 21, 2014.

Book Review: "Jirgas" by Khan Idris

Khan Idris has wrote two books about jirgas in Afghanistan. Jirgas: Pashtun Participatory Governance and Jirgas: The Pashtun Way of Conflict Resolution.  Scott Mann of The Stability Institute provides a book review and explanation of why the two books are important to those working in Afghanistan. The video of the book review can be accessed at the link below:
http://stabilityinstitute.com/governancd/jirgas-by-khan-idris-stab-tv-book-review-4/

Expats Concerned about Life in Kabul

The recent bombing of the Taverna du Liban restaurant in Kabul that killed 13 expats and 8 Afghans has put the international community into a state of heightened security. Most Kabul restaurants are now off limits and non-essential travel is being curbed. How long these security restrictions will stay in place remains to be seen. At the very least the restaurant attack may encourage some foreigners working on contracts supporting the war effort and with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to leave. The restrictions on non-essential travel will hurt the effectiveness of the different organizations employing the expats as meetings about town will decrease - or take place behind the concrete barriers that protect Coalition compounds against bomb blasts. The foreigners will be less likely to travel to meet with Afghan counterparts, supervise projects, and keep an eye on how the money is used that is donated by the international community. Read more in "At a popular Kabul restaurant, the front lines of Afghanistan's war", Reuters, January 21, 2014.

Halo Trust Workers now Free

According to recent press reports 57 Halo Trust workers were kidnapped by the Taliban. More recent news indicates that the workers were either released, escaped, or were rescued by the Afghan National Security Forces. Read more in "Afghan forces free British land mine charity workers", UPI, January 21, 2014.

Growing Drug Trade in Afghanistan Threatens US Goals

Military leaders have cautioned that the drug trade in Afghanistan has grown in the past few years and threatens the stability and security of Afghanistan. As U.S. and NATO troops downsize it has become apparent that the drug trade is growing. Poppy cultivation brings in money for poor farmers in Afghanistan. The drug trade provides money for corrupt government officials, police and the Taliban. Security in some of the poppy growing areas has decreased making it even more difficult for those few Afghan police that are honest and try to keep the drug trade in check. Read more in "Resurgent Afghanistan drug trade threatening US goals, Pentagon warns", The Christian Science Monitor, January 20, 2014.

Sixty Halo Trust Workers Kidnapped in Herat

Reuters reports that sixty Halo Trust workers have been kidnapped by gunmen in the Herat area in western Afghanistan. The workers were clearing Soviet-era tank mines. The Halo Trust has been removing mines from Afghanistan for years. Read more in a news article by the Huffington Post published January 21, 2014. Go to the Halo Trust website.

Karzai Ramps Up Anti-U.S. Rhetoric

Karzai continues to demonstrate that he is either a cunning politician with an eye to the future and his legacy or a complete idiot and ungrateful fool. History will judge him on this. In recent weeks he has increased his verbal assault on the United States and continues to refuse to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement. Read more in "Afghanistan president Karzai ramps up anti-American rhetoric, demands airstrikes end", Fox News, January 20, 2014.

Karzai Demands that U.S. Airstrikes End

Once again Karzai is demanding that U.S. airstrikes end and that military operations cease. Karzai keeps pounding away at the United States (hard to figure this guy out). His latest outburst is centered around a SOF operation that the U.S. says was Afghan led that led to the death or one or two civilians. A combined force of 70 Afghan commandos and nine U.S. advisers conducted the operation. One Afghan Commando and a U.S. Special Forces operator died in the attack. The U.S. called in an airstrike against a compound from which they were taking fire and could not withdraw. According to the U.S. two civilians in the compound were killed. Read more in "Afghan President Again Demands US Airstrikes End", ABC News, January 19, 2014.

Gen Dunford Comments on Bilateral Security Agreement

A recent video has General Dunford (COMISAF) commenting on prospects of the Bilateral Security Agreement being signed. A video interview by Gail McCabe.
http://www.dvidshub.net/video/319911/bi-lateral-agreement

Taliban Confident of Victory Post-2014

A Taliban spokesman recently stated that the Taliban control much of the Afghan countryside and that foreign troops were scared to leave their bases. He further stated that the Taliban are confident they will be victorious once the foreign military forces depart Afghanistan. Read more in "Afghanistan Taliban 'confident of victory' over Nato", BBC News Asia, January 16, 2014.

Funding for Afghan Military Reduced by U.S. Congress

The White House asked for an extra $2.6 billion dollars - over the $5.6 billion baseline request - to buy equipment and fund training for the Afghan military. However, in the recent spending bill, Congress approved only $4.7 billion to pay, equip, supply, and train the Afghan security forces. Read more in "US slashes support for Afghan troops", DEFCON Hill Blog, January 17, 2014.

Canadian Soldiers Depart Afghanistan

A group of Edmonton-based soldiers are due to return to Canada after a long deployment to Afghanistan. Read more in "More Canadian troops home from Afghanistan", Sun News Network, January 20, 2014.

Commentator Questions Negotiations with Taliban

An opinion piece in Commentary Magazine by Michael Rubin questions the United States desire to negotiate in peace talks with the Taliban. He says that the Taliban are not insurgents; that they are terrorists and he cites the recent bombing of an Afghan restaurant that killed 21 non-combatants as proof. Read more in "Yes, the Taliban Are Terrorists" published January 19, 2014.

Keeping Troops in Afghanistan

The New York Times has published an opinion piece by Graeme Smith entitled "Grabbing the Wolf's Tail". The writer provides his perspective on the current situation in Afghanistan and concludes the war is not going as well as ISAF would have us believe. He does says that a small force needs to stay on to provide advice, assistance, medical support, air support and funding.

ANDMA Fails at Disaster Relief in Afghanistan

According to a recent news report the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) - an Afghan government task force - is failing in distributing (and accounting for) billions of dollars in foreign aid. It would appear to be a combination of the "government's inability to help - through mismanagement, corruption, or factors beyond its control". Money for the program has gone missing and the warehouses storing the emergency supplies are empty; at the same time that officials have had difficulty explaining where the money and aid could have gone! The head of the U.N. refugee agency in Afghanistan - Bo Schack - says that he has no clear answer on why the Afghans can't account for the money and supplies and why the aid has not been distributed. Read more in "Thousands of Afghans face cold, hungry winter as aid goes missing", Chicago Tribune, January 17, 2014.

Maneuver Self Study Program - Afghanistan

The Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) located at Fort Benning has a Self Study Program that covers several categories. One of these categories is Afghanistan. The program serves two purposes. One purpose is to prepare personnel for future deployments to Afghanistan. There are a number of references provided (a reading list) and there is a discussion forum. A second purpose is to glean lessons learned that may be applied to future conflicts where "U.S. forces may again be called upon to assist or intervene in weak states experiencing protracted instability or rebuilding after years of violence". If you are heading to Afghanistan for a deployment you may want to check the sit out at the link below.
www.benning.army.mil/mssp/Afghanistan/

Taliban: No Peace Talks with U.S.

The Taliban have once again rejected peace talks with the United States. The White House recently issued a statement that it wants to negotiate with the Taliban. The Taliban published a statement on its website Voice of Jihad. In the statement the Taliban demands that the United States leaves Afghanistan or else face continued attacks against its forces in Afghanistan. The United States has been unsuccessful in negotiating with the Taliban for the past five years. Read more in "Afghan Taliban reject US call for peace talks", The Long War Journal, January 19, 2014.

TV Ads in Afghanistan - GIRoA Looking Closer

The Afghan government has ordered an investigation into some of the television ads that have aired recently in Afghanistan. The Attorney General's office is looking into some TV ads that have been running on private television stations in recent weeks that endorse the signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement. Read more in "Afghan Government Investigates Ads Supporting US Security Deal", Voice of America, January 17, 2014.

Heavy Toll in Afghan Restaurant Suicide Bombing

The recent suicide bombing in the Afghan restaurant has taken a heavy toll among the foreign national community. The total deaths are approximately 21 persons - about eight Afghans and 13 foreigners. The restaurant, La Taverna du Liban, was located in what is thought to be a relatively secure zone in Kabul.

A member of the IMF, three United Nations staff members, a Danish women who was a member of the European Police Mission in Afghanistan. The nationalities include two Americans, two Britons, two Canadians, two Lebanese, a Russian, a Dane, a Somali-American, and a Pakistani. The attack was conducted by three attackers - one suicide bomber and two gunmen - all killed during the attack.

Read more www.afghanwarnews.info/events/kabul-restaurant-bombing-jan-2014.htm

IMF Representative in Afghanistan Killed in Bombing

One of the foreigners killed in the Taliban attack on the Kabul restaurant included the head of the International Monetary Fund in Afghanistan - Mr. Wabel Abdallah. Abdallah was the International Monetary Fund Resident Representative in Afghanistan. He was a 60 year old Lebanese national and was appointed to the position in June 2008. He joined the fund from the Central Bank of Lebanon in 1993. (See IMF statement on his death).

Silk Road: China and Afghanistan

China is the worlds' second largest economic power. It has ambitions of establishing itself economically in Asia so that it can sustain its economy for many years to come. Part of this ambition is the extension of trade, access to raw materials and energy sources, economic power, military power, and the securing of water rights and sea lanes in the Pacific (especially in the East China Sea and South China Sea). However, often overlooked is China's expansion to the west. It has engaged in closer economic ties with Pakistan, is actively working in the further development of the "New Silk Road" in the Central Asian States, and working to improve ties with Afghanistan.

The New Silk Road has a lot of players cooperating and competing with each other. China's interest is obvious - the ability to market goods, establishment of transportation corridors (railways and roadways), access to the gas and oil fields of Central Asia, and access to the minerals found in large amounts in Afghanistan. Russia wishes to remain the dominant force (economically, politically, and militarily) in the Central Asian States (former entities of the Soviet Union) - so it competes to an extent with China. And of course, there is the aspect of the United States trying to maintain some influence in the area - although it is at a distinct disadvantage geographically.

China and Afghanistan. There will soon be a void in Afghanistan - both politically, economically, and militarily. This will be especially true if the Bilateral Security Agreement is not signed and the NATO countries decide not to take part in the Resolute Security mission. China has an interest in a stable, secure, and economically prosperous Afghanistan. It has sat out the conflict and may soon be one of the few nations to benefit from the long-term NATO engagement in Afghanistan. Under the radar China has been carefully increasing its ties with Afghanistan.

Read more on this topic in "China's Westward Strategy", The Diplomat, January 15, 2014.

Retrograde: Posts Downsize and Austere Conditions Rise

The U.S. force level in Afghanistan is steadily getting smaller. As the size of the force diminishes the need for the many bases - large and small - across Afghanistan goes away. Camp commanders struggle with what resources and activities remain on a base as it down-sizes and what needs to go. These decisions on the retrograde operations in Afghanistan affect the ability to conduct operations and the standard of living and services of these military and contractor personnel left behind. Flush toilets, hot meals, shower units, and other services are slowly going away to be replaced with port-a-potties, Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), and sponge baths (and lots of deodorant). One place that is seeing the effects of retrograde is Camp Dwyer in the Garmsir district of Helmand province. Read more in "At Marine outpost in Afghanistan, conditions grow more austere by the day", Marine Corps Times, July 14, 2014.

Pendleton Marines Deploy to Afghanistan

I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) is deploying to Regional Command - Southwest and will be based at Camp Leatherneck. Read more in "Families say goodbyes as Pendleton Marines head to Afghanistan", Stars and Stripes, January 13, 2014.

Afghanistan's Banking Sector Corrupt and Inept

A recent report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has found that Afghanistan's banking regulatory agency has stonewalled American attempts at oversight and intervention. The report states that the Afghan financial sector (infected with corruption and graft) could severely hinder the country's development. The Afghan government's financial sector regulatory agency - known as Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) - has had all aid from the U.S. government cut off due to non-compliance with safeguard measures and monitoring requested by the United States. In addition, technical aid from other international players remains limited due to the past history of corruption and the lack of accountability in the banking oversight process. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) does not have any advisors assisting the DAB. The report is entitled Afghanistan's Banking Sector: The Central Bank's Capacity to Regulate Commercial Banks Remains Weak, SIGAR 14-16 Audit Report, January 2014. The report, an Adobe Acrobat PDF (17 pages) is available at this link.

AIHRC Says Violence Against Women in Afghanistan Reached Record Levels in 2013

The Independent Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan (AIHRC) says that violence against women in Afghanistan reached record levels in 2013. "Figures released last month (December 2013) show that the six-month period between March and September 2013 witnessed a 25 percent increase in recorded attacks". New laws and international agreements and accords have put protective regulations and policies on the books in Afghanistan but there is little political will among the public, police, and judiciary to observe the rules. Read more in "Violence Against Women in Afghanistan Peaked in 2013", The Diplomat, January 14, 2014.

An Al Qaeda Comeback in Afghanistan?

An article published in The Daily Beast by Bruce Riedel on January 13, 2014 is entitled "Al Qaeda's Next Comeback Could Be Afghanistan and Pakistan". He cites the example of the U.S. withdrawing completely from Iraq and the current situation there (Al Qaeda resurgence). A worry is that without a signed Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) the U.S. will lack the bases from which to launch a raid into Pakistan (similar to the Abbottabad raid). In addition, we won't have any bases from which to fly our drones. Sure, long distance drone operations and direct active missions can be launched from neighboring countries (hard to coordinate and get approval) and from aircraft carriers but distance makes it problematic. Without a residual counter-terrorist force based in Afghanistan Al Qaeda may very well make a comeback in the Afghanistan and Pakistan area of operations. A lot is riding on the approval of the Bilateral Security Agreement.

Transitional Justice in Afghanistan

The post 9/11 transitional justice progresses and failures at the policy and practical levels in Afghanistan are analyzed in a paper entitled "Transitional Justice and the Culture of Impunity in Afghanistan", Atlantic Community, January 8, 2014. The paper looks at the reasons that a concept of justice has not taken hold in Afghanistan - putting the blame on the Afghan government, warlords, insurgents, corruption and political rivalries.

Former SF Medic Establishes Program to Reduce Battlefield Deaths

A medical fellowship program seeks to reduce battlefield deaths. A former Special Forces Medic who served in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993 and also in Afghanistan as a battalion surgeon in 2005 and 2010 believes that more can be done for battlefield casualties. The aim of the Military Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Medicine Fellowship Program is to train physicians for the challenges of pre-hospital care on the battlefield. "Pre-hospital care" is that critical time between a traumatic event and when care is received at a military treatment facility. Read more in "Medical Fellowship Program Seeks to Reduce Battlefield Deaths", American Forces Press Service, January 14, 2014.

Mortar Training for ANA by SFAATs

Photo by SGT Eric Provost

Members of 4th Brigade, 201st ANA Corps at FOB Gamberi in Laghman province have recently completed a month-long mortar training course provided by instructors from 2nd Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force Patriot. The training on the M224 60-mm Mortar finished after a live fire exercise where the ANA mortarmen demonstrated their proficiency with the mortar. Elements of the training included safety, employment, gun drills, laying onto the target, misfire procedures, and other skills. Read more about the training in "Afghan mortarmen test their mettle", DVIDS, January 13, 2014.

Slovakia's 5th Special Forces Regiment in Afghanistan

Slovakia has been a firm ally of the ISAF forces in Afghanistan. The country recently sent more advisors in January 2014 to continue the advisory mission. A contingent from the Slovak 5th Special Forces Regiment arrived to work on Camp Moorehead near Kabul, Afghanistan. The Slovakian soldiers are part of Commando - Special Operations Advisory Group where they will train and advise Afghan special operations soldiers. The regiment is based in Zilina, Slovakia and is directly attached to the Slovak Armed Forces General Staff. It has a strength of 400 personnel (a far fewer number are deployed to Camp Moorehead). The unit regularly train with the 10th Special Forces Group (with a forward battalion located in Stuttgart, Germany). (Photo by MSG Michael Carden, CJSOTF-A; photo of newly arrived Slovak special operations advisors at Camp Moorehead).

Poland to Speed Up Withdrawal of Troops

A recent news report says that Poland will speed up the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan. The planned withdrawal was to keep about 1,000 Polish troops in Afghanistan until the end of 2014. The Poles have had a long-term presence in Afghanistan; especially in Ghazni province where the White Eagle Battle Group has operated. In addition, the Poles also ran the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Ghazni. The new schedule has Poland going to only 500 troops by May 2014. (source: "Poland to speed up troop withdrawal from Afghanistan", Reuters, January 15, 2014.

Corruption in a Provincial Capital

Many observers of the Afghan insurgency cite government corruption as one the main reasons for the insurgency. The corruption happens at all levels - the President's office (yes, Karzai), the ministries, and in the provincial and district government offices. One example is the mayor of Pul-e-alam - the provincial capital of Logar province just south of Kabul. Although there are numerous reports linking the mayor to corruption it would seem no one has the power or will to remove him. Read more in "Afghan Mayor Accused of Grand Theft", Institute for War and Peace Reporting, January 8, 2104.

Directed Telescope: Element of Effective Command

All organizations have an established hierarchy of leadership and structure. This is especially true of the military. The armed services have several lines of communication within its organization. There is the commander's line of communication - messages and instructions passed from commander to commander up and down the organization. Then there is the functional or staff method of organizational communication. Operations officers exchanging information with other operations officers up and down the entity. Other staff sections do the same - the communications, medical, personnel, and logistics officers communicate with each other. Let's not forget the enlisted chain of communication - senior NCOs, SGMs, and CSMs. In addiction, there are several other informal methods of communication available to commander and staffs.

Filtering. However, there is also a "filtering" process that takes place in the military communication process. Subordinate commands will pass up information, reports, and briefings to the higher headquarters (whether commander to commander or staff section to staff section) that have been diluted or sanitized. There are many levels to a military organization. Within the Army you can start at the platoon level, through company, battalion, brigade, division, and all the way to corps and beyond. At every level bad news is watered down and good news emphasized. Ultimately, the higher headquarters is making plans and decisions based on skewed reporting.

Timeliness. In addition to the filtering problem there is the timeliness of the reporting. Information becomes stale as time goes by. Some problems can be fixed immediately if the higher echelons know about a problem. Then again, some problems will get only bigger if no remedy is taken to alleviate the situation.

Commander's Intent. In addition to the "filtering" and "timeliness" dilemma there is the difficulty of ensuring that a commander's intent is actually being followed at the lower levels.

Directed Telescope. Commander's through the ages have struggled with the problems associated with filtering, timeliness, and intent. One remedy used is the 'directed telescope'. The directed telescope can take the form of a commanders' aide, adviser, special staff officer, or liaison officer. The directed telescope has been used throughout military history by commanders around the world. It was a common tool used by Alexander the Great, during the Napoleonic Wars, American Civil War, World War I, and World War II; allowing commanders to cut through the haze of the battlefield and staying informed on what was really happening on the ground without the adverse effects of filtering and time.

A Discontinued Aspect of War. It would seem that the use of 'directed telescopes' (or anything resembling the function) has been discontinued by the U.S. military since World War II. There is scant evidence that this function has been replicated during the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf War (1991), Iraq War (2003-2001), and the current Afghan conflict. In Afghanistan, however, there is a small organization that was formed in 2009 called the COMISAF Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT). The CAAT provides this 'directed telescope' service.

Read more on this topic in The Directed Telescope: A Traditional Element of Effective Command, by LTC Gary B. Griffin, Combat Studies Institute, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas published in 1985. The document is available at the link below:
http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/download/csipubs/griffin.pdf

SIGAR Report: Future Counternarcotics Efforts

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has published a report entitled Future U.S. Counternarcotics Efforts in Afghanistan dated January 15, 2014. The report is a statement by the head of SIGAR, John Sopko, who testified before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. In his opening comments he says that ". . . the situation in Afghanistan is dire with little prospect for improvement in 2014 or beyond. Afghan farmers are growing more opium poppies today than at any time in their modern history". Mr. Sopko raises the possibility that instead of Afghanistan evolving into a successful democratic state or an insurgent state; that it may instead evolve into a failed narco-criminal state. The report can be accessed from the SIGAR website to read online or download at the link below:
http://www.sigar.mil/pdf/audits/SIGAR-14-21-TY.pdf

Alternative Approach to Karzai and BSA

Stephen Hadley, a national security adviser in the George W. Bush administration, proposes an alternative approach to President Karzai's non-signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA). Hadley believes that the Obama administration should stop the "sign now" offensive and wait out the three months until the Afghan election takes place. He believes the U.S. military and their many allies can actually conduct parallel planning for either a complete withdrawal and retrograde before December 2014 and for the keeping of 8,000 to 12,000 troops after December 2014. In the interim he suggests that Obama make a series of policy speeches outlining the intent of the U.S. to remain in Afghanistan - restoring the Afghan public's confidence in the future and reassuring the international community that it will continue aid and investments if the U.S. stays on. Read his article entitled "In Afghanistan, an alternate approach to a security pact", The Washington Post, January 14, 2014.

Afghan War News E-mail Signup

Afghan War News offers an option to receive blog posts via e-mail once a day. The newsletter goes out to your e-mail address between 0500-0700 EST. You get one e-mail whether there is one post or several. At the bottom of the e-mail message is an option to opt out. On the right side of the Afghan War News blog you will see "Follow by E-mail". In the text box input your e-mail address and hit submit. You will then see a dialogue box where you confirm your intent. An e-mail is then sent to your e-mail address asking you once again to confirm your subscription. Afghan War News E-mail Newsletter

Medical Training to ANA Provided by 3 BCT 10th Mountain Division

Security Force Assistance Advisors from 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division are providing medical training to the Afghan National Army in the South of Kabul area in the 203rd ANA Corps area of operations. The mentors have been providing the Afghans with mentorship and support in an effort to develop a capable and comprehensive medical corps. The goal is to establish a unit that can provide care for its personnel, from basic combat life saving skills, to advanced trauma care. At the tactical level this is accomplished by providing training on Combat Life Saving classes. Read more in, DVIDS, January 10, 2014.
"Spartans foster medical partnership with Afghan counterparts"

Retrograde Going Well?

It appears that the Commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) is comfortable with the progress of retrograde from Afghanistan. The number of troops is diminishing at a steady rate - and lots of equipment is flowing home (or being transferred to Afghans or being scrapped). View a short video by MG James Richardson on the retrograde progress.

Women Making Strides in Education in Kandahar Province

Women are making some gains as both students and with employment as teachers in Kandahar province. The province is a stronghold of the Taliban and during the Taliban reign women were disadvantaged with little opportunity for education or employment. However, some progress is being made. Learn more in "Afghan Women Work, Learn and Make Gains in Former Taliban Base", Voice of America, January 14, 2014.

China and India Increase Dialogue About Afghanistan

As the Western powers withdraw from Afghanistan both India and China are looking at ways to ensure that Afghanistan remains stable and also becomes a source of economic opportunity in the years that follow 2014. To this end both India and China are holding periodic talks to see how they can complement their efforts. This dialogue is analyzed by the Observer Research Foundation (Harsh V. Pant). Read the analysis in "China Reaches to India on Afghanistan - Analysis", Eurasia Review, January 10, 2014.

Gates Book Fuels Distrust between Afghan & U.S.

The newly released memoir by Robert Gates entitled Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War is fueling some distrust between Afghan officials and the United States. There are passages that reference attempts to diminish Karza's chances of reelection in 2009. High-level Afghan officials have used the book to bolster their argument that some new conditions should be met prior to the Afghans signing the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA). The book has been cited as an additional area of friction for the signing of the BSA by a former ambassador but that it shouldn't be cause for excessive delay or non-signing of the agreement. Read more in "Memoir complicates Afghan security deal", DEFCON Hill Defense Blog, January 12, 2014.

"A Bitter Pill to Swallow" - COIN Adviser Speaks Out

Over the past week several events have captured the news that should put Iraq and Afghan War veterans into a state of dismay. The sacrifice made in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 by countless military men and women is now open to question with news that al Qaeda is making a resurgence in places where hard-fought battles were won in Iraq. In addition, instead of a sense of order and stability in the Middle East the media is filled with reports of strife in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Somalia, and Kenya.

Afghanistan, the other war, does not seem to be yielding great promise. President Karzai continues to refuse to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) which would allow NATO and U.S. military troops to remain beyond December 2014. Opium production is at an all time high, the Taliban were not defeated this past 2013 fighting season, and governance has not improved significantly to offer the Afghan population a positive view of the future. To top it all off we find that, from excerpts of Robert Gates book, President Obama and his White House staff have less than positive views of the military and the mission in Afghanistan.

Read the thoughts of a participant in both wars (Iraq and Afghanistan) about the two Presidents who presided over the wars, the legacy they will leave, and his thoughts on leadership in "A Bitter Pill to Swallow", Tampa Bay Times, January 13, 2014. The author served in the US Navy SEALs, worked in Iraq in the Hostage Working Group at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and served as a Counterinsurgency Adviser for the COMISAF Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT) in Afghanistan.

Afghan Commando Training

Some Afghan National Army units are better than others. This is true of almost all armies; there are the general "run of the mill' units and then there are the "special operators". The "special" units have a stricter selection criteria, more physical demands, and a higher expectation of intelligence (or education - in Afghanistan this means literacy). In the Afghan National Army you will find the better units with the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command (ANASOC). There are two special operations brigades and nine special operations kandaks (battalions). The commandos and the Afghan National Army Special Forces (ANASF) undergo intense training at Camp Moorehead and other locations in Afghanistan before assignment to one of the nine special operations kandaks.

Panjshir Valley Ready for Taliban

The Tajiks from Panjshir Valley (known as Panjshiris) are well-known for being one of the longest holdouts against the Taliban regime. And before that, one of the fiercest guerrilla groups fighting the Soviet occupation. The terrain of the Panjshir Valley favors resistance to large fighting groups. The valley is 60 some miles long surrounded with mountains on each side. The mouth of the valley is constricted. The Soviets took a beating every time they tried to enter the valley. The Panjshir are awaiting the outcome of the Bilateral Security Agreement talks - with hope that the Afghan government signs the agreement and that the U.S. and other NATO allies will maintain a presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014. If no BSA is signed then the Panjshir Valley residents are resigned to a possible comeback of the Taliban or Afghan government negotiations with the Taliban that will bring about a power-sharing arrangement. The Panjshiris say they are ready and will fight the Taliban once again. Read more in "Recalling Past Threats, Afghans in Tranquil Valley Work to Keep It That Way", The New York Times, January 13, 2014.

ANA in RC-South Complete Major Operation

Soldiers from the 205th Corps have completed an operation that spanned over four different provinces. Operation "Chamtoo" involved member of other Afghan National Security Forces as well. The ANSF swept through a number of villages and towns finding weapons caches and killing Taliban members. The purpose of the operation was to pressure the enemy at different locations all at once and restrict their freedom of maneuver. There are over 45,000 members of the army and police in the Regional Command South area. The corps-level exercise was called a success by MG LaCamera - commander of RC South and the 4th Infantry Division. Read more in "Afghan National Army conducts large-scale operation", DVIDS, January 12, 2014.

Afghanistan's Most Honest Cop

To most Afghans and to almost any knowledgeable outside observer an Afghan cop is a corrupt cop. Afghanistan is ranked as one of the top three most corrupt nations in the world (along with North Korea and Somalia - good company there!) by Transparency International - a corruption watchdog. The Afghan National Police are not viewed widely by the Afghan population as either useful or without corruption. The judiciary system is just as bad. However, it appears that someone has found an honest policeman in Afghanistan; a traffic cop no less. Read more in "Here's what it means to be Afghanistan's 'most honest man': Low pay and no promotion", The Washington Post, January 13, 2014.

Afghanistan: A Failed Narco-State

At the end of 2014 U.S. and other NATO troops will depart Afghanistan - perhaps leaving a small number of troops behind to conduct Security Force Assistance. Part of what they leave behind will be an opium producing nation that has seen a rapid increase in the ability to cultivate poppies and export opium. Despite a long-term effort to eradicate the poppy cultivation there has been limited success. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) found itself in a quandary - if it sponsors and takes part in poppy eradication it alienates the rural Afghan farmers who depend on the crop for a living. If it doesn't conduct eradication missions then the Taliban will raise funds for their operations through imposing taxes on the opium proceeds. In the later years of the 13-year old war ISAF has backed away from the counter narcotics mission. The end result - a failed narco-state will remain. Read more in "America Abandons Afghanistan to Drug Lords", Newsweek, January 9, 2014.

Slovakia to Advise Mobile Strike Force (MSF)

57 more troops from Slovakia arrived in January 2014 to bolster the Afghanistan mission. Most of the soldiers will work in a Security Force Assistance role as advisors. Some of the 57 will be assigned to the Special Operation Advisory Group (SOAG) and the remainder will form a Mobile Strike Force Security Forces Advisory Team (MSF SFAT). The MSF SFAT will provide advice and assistance to the Mobile Strike Force - a rapid deployment quick reaction force comprised of two brigades and several kandaks. In addition, a five-man medical team will work at the international military hospital at the Kabul airport. Read more in "Slovakia sends 57 more soldiers to Afghanistan", The Slovak Spectator, January 9, 2014.

Iraq: A Lesson for Afghanistan

Afghans should consider the plight of Iraq. Without the resources, military assistance, and presence of a small-scale U.S. military force the Iraqi police and army have struggled in keeping al-Qaeda in check. Of course, a number of large miss-steps by the Shia dominated Iraq government has not helped. The Afghans need a continued international presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014 so that the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) can feel confident that help is nearby in terms of advice and assistance - and also in the form of enablers such as air support, medical evacuation, and intelligence. The Afghans should sign the Bilateral Security Agreement sooner rather than later. Read more in "Chaos in Iraq could be omen for Afghanistan without U.S. troops", The Washington Times, January 12, 2014.