Afghan War Blog

Sunday, February 9, 2014

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Saturday, February 8, 2014

Drones, Resolute Support, and Bilateral Security Agreement

All eyes are currently focused on the upcoming Afghan elections scheduled for April and the non-signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement by Karzai. The Bilateral Security Agreement will provide the legal basis for a continued troop presence in Afghanistan beyond December 2014 - which will be called Resolute Support. It is anticipated that the troop level will be 10,000 U.S. and 6,000 NATO. The Resolute Support mission will be two-fold. Counter-terrorism against remnants of al Qaeda and other high value targets and conducting an advise and assist mission - now called functionally-based Security Force Assistance. An important part of the counter-terrorist mission is providing for a secure base from which to operate and support the use of drones (by both the military and the CIA). Read more on the importance of the ability to stage drones in Afghanistan post-2104 in "How Much is a Drone Base Worth?", The National Interest, January 27, 2014.

Religious Sect of U.S. Marines Demand Recognition and Rights for Norse Paganism Practice

On January 22, 2014 the Department of Defense issued a change to DoD Instruction 1300.17 entitled "Accommodation of Religious Practices Within the Military Services" (view DoDI 1300.7 here). According to a U.S. Department of Defense news release (see DoD Releases New Religious Accommodation Instruction, American Forces Press Service, January 22, 2014) the new instruction details its updated policy on making religious accommodations requested by service members. The new policy states that military departments will accommodate requests for the wearing of beards, turbans, religious apparel, and other tenets of their respective religions. The updated DoD instruction is quite specific as to which religious sects are covered by the new policy - including Sikh, Muslim, and Jewish members. However, one group of U.S. Marines is quite unhappy with the new policy as they feel their specific religious sect has been left out. This small religious group is comprised of members from Camp LeJeune, North Carolina who have converted to Norse Paganism and are now demanding that they be authorized to wear horns and wings on their helmets. The Marines have not as yet officially responded to the demands although there are unofficial reports that a working group has been established to determine the actual garb and equipment that Vikings wore into battle as they ravaged their way through England, France, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, North Africa, Russia, and New Zealand. Read more in "Marines Convert to Norse Paganism, Demand Horns and Wings on Helmets", DD Blog, January 30, 2014.

Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Visit FOB Fenty

Members of the Washington Redskins cheerleaders visited Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan in January 22, 2014 as part of an Armed Forces Entertainment tour. The cheerleaders were hosted by the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. In an unrelated story unofficial reports have surfaced that the entire helicopter fleet in the Jalalabad area of operations has been grounded for maintenance issues for several days - presumably starting on the morning of January 22nd. Army personnel from the Aviation Support Brigade of Regional Command East based at Bagram Air Force Base just north of Kabul have released a statement that this high NMC rate is quite unusual and an investigation is ongoing. (Photo by SFC E.L. Craig, Task Force Patriot PAO, January 22, 2014).

IED Training in Ghazni

Members of the Afghan National Security Forces graduated from an Explosive Hazardous Reduction Course or EHRC in Gelan district, Ghazni province. The ANA and ALP members from Muqor district completed the 11-day course designed to teach security forces how to identify and disarm various types of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The threat of IEDs remains high in Afghanistan and over 50% of ANSF casualties are from IEDs. (source info from "Afghan forces complete counter IED training in Ghazni", DVIDS, February 7, 2014.).

Military to Buy Crops from Afghan Farmers for Dining Facilities

The military intends to buy crops from local Afghan farmers to put on the tables in the military dining facilities. This measure will provide an opportunity to grow the agricultural sector and increase jobs. Eventually, the troop levels will go down (and disappear) but the hope is the Afghan farmers will be able to start exporting the agricultural crops to other regional countries. Read more in "Afghan farmers now feeding U.S. troops", Army Times, February 5, 2014.

SFA and Human Rights: Leahy Law Report

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has published a report entitled "Leahy Law Human Rights Provisions and Security Assistance: Issue Overview", dated January 29, 2014. The Adobe Acrobat PDF is available here.

Cheerleaders Visit SF Camp in Afghanistan

Members of the Washington Redskins cheerleader squad recently visited an SF unit that is part of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan near Kabul province, Afghanistan in January 2014. The cheerleaders visited soldiers as part of their military appreciation tour. While the Special Forces Soldiers were inwardly peeved that they were taken away from their military duties and responsibilities they put up a good front and were polite hosts. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Connor Mendez, January 24, 2014).

201st ANA Corps Receives Training on "Wolfhound"

In January 2014 the 201st ANA Corps located at Forward Operating Base Gamberi received training and fielding of the Wolfhound signal intelligence gathering system. The Wolfhound will allow ANA soldier's to hear enemy radio communications. The Wolfhound is augmenting the AR 8200 scanner. Intelligence drives operations in a counterinsurgency and the Wolfhound will increase the ability of the ANA to conduct COIN. Soon the Wolfhound training will be available to intelligence soldiers undergoing training at the ANA intelligence school at Sia Sang. The ANA soldiers being trained are from the 201st ANA Corps' Military Intelligence Kandak. Read more in "Afghan National Army: Picking up the intelligence signal", DVIDS, January 28, 2014.

Advanced Medical Training Provided to ANSF at Kandahar Regional Military Hospital

Members of the NATO Role 3 Combat Hospital at Kandahar Airfield recently provided advanced medical training to staff of the Kandahar Regional Military Hospital (KRMH). The training covered a variety of topics on ventilators, which are machines designed to perform the breathing mechanisms for patients who cannot sufficiently do so on their own. Read more in "Medical training helps empower Afghan National Security Forces", DVIDS, February 6, 2014.

DCGS-A versus Palantir?

The Distributed Common Ground System - Army (DCGS-A) has come under constant criticism from the Intel community that has been forced to use the intelligence network. Many intelligence sections within the Army opt to use a more user-friendly system called Palantir. According to critics DCGS-A is prone to failure, is too complicated and has too many drawbacks to be an effective intelligence tool. In addition, Palantir - an off-the-shelf product - is relatively cheap compared to DCGS-A. A recent news report adds more to the debate between DCGS-A and Palantir critics and supporters. Read more in "Army Units in Afghanistan Slam Intel System", DoD Buzz, February 6, 2014.

Expert Says Taliban Living in Fantasy World

Brigadier Ben Barry, a senior fellow on land warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), states that the Taliban failed to achieve their objectives during the 2013 fighting season and that the Afghan security forces are thoroughly in control of counter-insurgency. Hmmmmm. He gets it half right. The Taliban didn't achieve their "stated objectives" during the 2013 fighting season but they didn't lose much territory and they bloodied the Afghan security forces at higher numbers than any previous year. An insurgency doesn't have to gain territory to continue to exist - it just has to continue to exist. The Taliban have their "stated objectives" for political consumption and internal motivation and they have their realistic objectives that are the focus of their long-term strategy. The ANSF is thoroughly in control of counter-insurgency? Not so much. While the Taliban didn't gain significant territory from government forces neither did the Afghan security forces take much territory from the Taliban; and the Afghan security forces have certainly not defeated the Taliban. And, oh, by the way, the Afghans can't even spell "counterinsurgency". Read more in "Taliban living in fantasy world: IISS defence expert:", Business Standard, February 6, 2014.

Abstracting War

A Marine veteran of Afghanistan reflects on war. Read "Abstracting War, From Afghanistan to Syria", War on the Rocks, February 4, 2014.

Marines Change Command in Helmand

The Marines have changed command in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The ceremony took place at Camp Leatherneck at the Regional Command Southwest headquarters. During the peak of the surge there were over 20,000 Marines in the southwest; today there are about 4,500 (as of Feb 14). Read more in "Marines change command in Helmand", USA Today, February 5, 2014.

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Friday, February 7, 2014

White House Close to Afghan Troop Deployment Decision

Reports indicate that the White House is close to making a decision on the number of troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond December 2014. General Dunford, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force, recently met with President Obama. Some say that Dunford asked for about 10,000 troops to stay beyond 2014 to conduct limited counter-terrorist operations against the remnants of al Qaeda (yes, they are still in Afghanistan) and to conduct the Security Force Assistance mission - which will be named Resolute Support. The decision is complicated with the non-signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement by President Karzai. Some critics say that this is making it easier for Obama to walk away from Afghanistan just as he did in Iraq. Time will tell. Read more in "WH: No decision on US presence in Afghanistan", DEFCON Hill Blog, February 4, 2014. There are confusing messages coming from the Obama administration - some say the BSA is close to signing while others say it will wait until after the elections. Stay posted!

SFAAT Advises OCC-R at FOB Lightning

SFAAT meets with OCC-R at FOB Lighting
(Photo by CPT John Goodwill, 3rd BCT, 10th Mountain

A Security Force Assistance Advisor Team or SFAAT is working with the Operational Coordination Center - Regional at FOB Lightning in Regional Command East to help it become more effective. The SFAAT is from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. The OCC-R has members from all the Afghan security forces. It is sometimes difficult to get the different branches of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to work together. To address that problem the OCC-R conducts periodic synchronization meetings and after action reviews - the SFAAT helps in facilitating these events. One specific focus of the SFAAT is the development of an intelligence capability. Intelligence drives operations in a counterinsurgency fight. For that reason the SFAAT has an intelligence officer to advise and assist in this critical area. Read the rest of the story at "Spartans help Afghan forces forge their future", DVIDS, January 29, 2014. Learn more about Operational Coordination Centers.

Irony of Heroin, Hoffman, and The War in Afghanistan

In the Sacramento Bee, Markos Kounalakis writes on the irony of the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, his role as a CIA officer in the movie "Charlie Wilson's War", and of the resurgence of the opium trade in Afghanistan. In his short piece published on February 6, 2014 he succinctly captures the story of the drug industry in Afghanistan and the unintended consequences (the military would say "second, third, and fourth order of effects") of the U.S. intervention in 2001 and fall of the Taliban regime. Read "Hoffman, heroin and the war in Afghanistan".

A Meaningful Post-2014 Option in Afghanistan

Anthony H. Cordesman, of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), has provided us with an in-depth study of how we should determine the troop level and purpose of the post-2014 presence in Afghanistan. He states that the Obama administration is missing the boat in its analysis of what is needed and is not preparing the public or Congress for the post-2014 environment in Afghanistan. He states that the Bilateral Security Agreement will set the stage for the last phase of the United States involvement in the Afghan conflict and that it needs more attention than the Obama administration is giving it. Read more in "The Reality Beyond Zero and 10,000: Choosing a Meaningful Option in Afghanistan", Center for Strategic & International Studies, February 4, 2014.

Analysis of US-Afghan Bilateral Security Agreement

Much of the press coverage on the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) centers on President Karzai's refusal to sign the agreement even in the face of overwhelming support from the Loya Jirga. Yet, other than stating that the BSA will allow the US and NATO to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond December 2014 most observers don't really know the details of the BSA. A writer, Rajeev Agarwal - a research fellow for the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), has provided us with an analysis of the BSA. Read "US-Afghanistan: Implications of Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) - Analysis", Albany Tribune, February 6, 2014.

Figuring Out Karzai - Mission Impossible

President Karzai has been called many names to include trusted ally, erratic leader, drug-user, loose cannon, closet Taliban, ingrate, king-of-corruption, and lame-duck. He is hard to figure out. One news article provides different interpretations of his strange behavior to the US and NATO. Read "Hamid Karzai's survival strategy", The National Post, February 6, 2014.

Afghan ECC Lacks Funding to Monitor Elections at Provincial Level

(Reuters) - Afghanistan's election watchdog may not be ready in time for a presidential vote in April because of funding and staffing problems, a setback that could undermine a ballot already threatened by a repeat of the widespread fraud seen in 2009. Presidential candidates began two months of campaigning this week ahead of the crucial election, which Afghans and Western allies hope will help consolidate fragile stability as foreign troops prepare to leave after nearly 13 years of war. But, with the campaign well underway, the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) says it has received only a fraction of its funding from foreign donors because the government has yet to approve the appointment of provincial officials.

Read the rest of the story in "Afghanistan's election watchdog plagued by delays, funding woes", Reuters, February 6, 2014. Learn more about the Afghan presidential elections.

Germany to Continue Deployments to Afghanistan

It appears that Germany will extend its mission in Afghanistan to at least December 2014 and possibly beyond. The commitment of troops beyond December 2014 would be dependent upon the next Afghan president (it certainly will not be Karzai) signing the Bilateral Security Agreement or BSA with the United States. If the BSA is signed then Germany would take part in the functionally-based Security Force Assistance mission called Resolute Support. For the last decade Germany has provided troops to the north of Afghanistan with assistance from other Nordic and European countries. Read more in "German deployments extended to Afghanistan, Mali", DW.de, February 5, 2014.

Troops Using MK Passenger Transit Center in Romania

Troops going to Afghanistan and redeploying as part of the Afghanistan retrograde to the United States are now flying into and out of the MK Passenger Transit Center at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania. The new transit center has been established to replace the Manas Transit Center in Krygyzstan which will close in July. The Krygyzstan government decided not to renew the lease at the Manas Air Base - looking for other financial opportunities for the U.S. built runways. The new transit center in Romania was built in part by the 902nd Engineer Company of the Germany-based 21st Theater Sustainment Command. Read more on the new transit base in "First troops move through new US transit base in Romania", Stars and Stripes, February 5, 2014.

UNAMA - Women Participation Key to Afghan Election Success

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is calling the role of women in decision-making vital for Afghanistan's future. The voting by women in the upcoming Afghan elections will be an indicator of the elections success and the hopes are that women will come out in force to vote. Afghan women have made great strides since the overthrow of the Taliban regime in late 2001; however, with the withdrawal of ISAF those advances may fade. Read more in "Afghanistan: UN official says women's participation 'key measure' of election's success", UN News Centre, February 5, 2014.

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing To Depart RC Southwest

Marines and sailors with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) are preparing to depart Regional Command Southwest in the next few days. The Transfer of Authority to the 3rd MAW (Fwd) took place at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan on February 4, 2014. This was the third deployment to Afghanistan for the Cherry Point, NC unit. The unit provided immediate response capabilities, assault support, and assistance transporting personnel, gear, and cargo. Read the rest of the story in "Last Marine Aviation Transfer of Authority in Afghanistan", DVIDS, February 5, 2014.

Abdullah Abdullah, Elections, and Bilateral Security Agreement

Abdullah Abdullah, a leading contender for the Afghan presidential elections to be held on April 5, 2014 says he will sign the Bilateral Security Agreement if elected. Read more in a blog post on CNN by Christiane Amanpour published on February 3, 2014 here.

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Thursday, February 6, 2014

Construction for 215th Corps Logistics Unit Completed

Future home of 215th ANA Corps Logistics Unit
Photo by Bill Dowell, USACE, January 28, 2014

Construction is almost complete for the logistics unit that supports the 215th Afghan National Army Corps in southwest Afghanistan. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers acts as construction agents for numerous projects in Afghanistan. The Corps employees contract and oversee construction in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Corps guidance. It is a difficult working environment - a society rife with corruption, trade and construction skilled labor not abundant, harsh weather conditions, and very little security for the transit of equipment, material and supplies. In addition, Afghan construction projects have been well-renowned for not being completed and for shoddy workmanship. In this specific instance, the USACE feels the project went well (a dose of good news never hurts especially in light of recent reports on reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan by SIGAR). See "Construction projects some of the best, general says", DVIDS - U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, February 3, 2014.

Funding for DCGS-A Intel Network Cut

Congress drastically cut funding for the Army's Distributed Common Ground System or DCGS-A. This controversial program has failed over the last several years and cost the U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars. Despite constant questioning by Congress about military intelligence personnel stating that the system is failed and beyond repair the Army continues to request more funding to fix the broke intelligence network. With the cuts in defense budget Congress finally took action and reduced funding for the dismal program by 60%. Instead of the $267 million for the DCGS requested by the Army; only $110 million was received. Still that is about $110 million wasted. Should have went with Palantir. Read more in "Army mulls funding for controversial intel network", The Washington Times, February 4, 2014.

Mental Health of U.S. Military in Afghanistan Improves

A recent report by the U.S. Army states that the mental health of Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan has improved (in 2013) over that mental health of 2011 and 2012 - years which saw heavy fighting. Read more in "Report: US Troop Morale Higher in Afghanistan", Associated Press, February 3, 2014.

New Law May Deny Afghan Women Protection

A new law passed by both houses of the Afghan parliament would effectively deny women protection from domestic violence and forced or child marriage. Although Afghan women have made some gains since the toppling of the Taliban there are many members of the Parliament that hold some very traditional and religious (Islam) values that bode badly for women once the Coalition departs Afghanistan in December 2014. It is expected to be signed by President Karzai for final signature in the next few weeks. Read more in "Afghanistan: Reject New Law Protecting Abusers of Women", Human Rights Watch, February 4, 2014.

National Guard Agricultural Assistance Program in Afghanistan

Since 2006 the United States Army National Guard has been fielding agricultural assistance teams to various locations in Afghanistan. Their task is to work with individual farmers and agricultural officials to modernize and improve agriculture in Afghanistan. The 15 states in the program are mostly agriculturally-oriented states in the Midwest and South. One of the latest agricultural teams to deploy was from the Nebraska Army National Guard. This Afghan Agri-business Development Team worked with their Afghan counterparts in Helmand province - home of much of the poppy cultivation that feeds the Afghan drug trade. Read more on the Agri-business Development Team from Nebraska in "Sowing seeds of hope: Nebraska Guard team mentors Afghan ag officials", Omaha World-Herald, February 4, 2004.

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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Paper - Pakistani Unconventional Warfare Against Afghanistan (Douglas Livermore)

Map of Pakistan

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is steadily decreasing its troop levels in Afghanistan as the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) become more capable. During the 2013 fighting season the ANSF held its own although it suffered terrible casualties. However, the Taliban are not defeated and while they did not gain much territory in 2013 they certainly did not lose much territory. The Taliban enjoy significant support (whether by coercion or other means in the south and parts of the east). In addition, the sanctuaries provided in Pakistan ensure the long-term survival of the insurgents. An interesting paper has been published that provides us with a valuable insight to the support that the Taliban enjoy. The paper looks at the Taliban and the support provided by the government of Pakistan from an unconventional warfare perspective. Read "Pakistani Unconventional Warfare Against Afghanistan: A Case Study of the Taliban as an Unconventional Warfare Proxy Force", Small Wars Journal, February 4, 2014 by Douglas A. Livermore.

DoD Contractors Serving in Afghanistan Screwed Over by Customs and Border Protection Officials Upon Arriving in the U.S.

Seal of U.S. Customs Border Protection
"One Team - One Fight" (most of the time)

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at Bangor International Airport in Bangor, Maine screwed over about 200 military service members and defense contractors returning from Afghanistan. The customs officials wanted to see "import documentation" for helmets, body armor, and gas masks that the DoD contractors had in their luggage. By regulation all DoD contractors must have these items as mandatory equipment in Afghanistan and wear the helmets and body armor when flying or driving off military bases. The military members and contractors spent an extra day in Bangor while the customs officials confiscated the equipment and then . . . eventually returned it. Quite a welcome home to the troops and contractors who just spent a long deployment in Afghanistan. The contractors and military service members had to delay their long-awaited reunion with their families by one day; disrupting many planned celebrations and travel plans. The seal (see image to left) of the Customs Border Protection has the words "One Team - One Fight"; well, not exactly - at least not all the time. You have to admire our brave men and women of the Customs and Border Protection organization as they have proven they will go to any lengths to protect our nation from those dangerous members of the military and contracting force who are returning from the war in Afghanistan. Read more in "Military flight delayed at BIA as Customs seeks documentation for contractor's for Kevlar vests, gas masks, and helmets", Bangor Daily News, February 3, 2014.

Lessons Observed vs Lessons Learned: How We Fail to Properly Train Advisers

Jason Fritz, a senior editor at War on the Rocks blog has published online an article about the difference between "lessons observed" and "lessons learned". The writer served as an adviser in Iraq a few years back and compares his preparation and training with those advisers from the Vietnam era. No lessons learned there; although there was plenty of lessons observed. Of course this adviser selection and training problem exists even today with the selection for the SFAATs for the Security Force Assistance mission in Afghanistan. Read more in "Lessons Observed on Lessons Observed: IEDs, Advising, and Armor", War on the Rocks, February 3, 2014.

Report: Taliban to Regain Territory and Influence Post-2014

A recent report states that the Taliban will increase its influence in rural areas of Afghanistan and regain territory in the east and south of the country once foreign forces have completely withdrawn from the country. The report says the country has been undermined by endemic corruption and the opium drug industry. The report was written for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute by a former intelligence adviser and defense official (Ian Dudgeon). See "Taliban will move in as global forces withdraw from Afghanistan, warns report", The Sydney Morning Herald, February 5, 2014.

Karzai Secretly Talking With the Taliban

News reports are coming out that Karzai has been secretly talking with the Taliban over the past several months. The peace talks have not involved western allies (including the United States). Karzai has been behaving strangely lately - releasing hardened Taliban members from detention and refusing to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement. Perhaps his secret talks with the Taliban explains those actions. Read more in "Karzai Arranged Secret Contacts With the Taliban", The New York Times, February 3, 2014.

Lunar New Year Celebrated by Mongolians at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan

Members of the Mongolian armed forces stationed at Camp Marmal in Regional Command North celebrated the Lunar New Year on January 31st. Read the article and watch the video at "Ringing in the Lunar New Year in Afghanistan Mongolian Style", Stars and Stripes, February 1, 2014.

U.S. Senator Wants Better Oversight on Construction Projects in Afghanistan

Senator Shaheen from New Hampshire is joining the many congressional representatives who want more oversight on reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. Read "Shaheen calls for oversight on Afghanistan reconstruction", The Hill Blog, February 3, 2014.

Medical Services Mean Fewer Child Deaths in Afghanistan

The growth of medical services and clinics in Afghanistan has made remarkable strides in the decrease of child deaths. In 2001 one in four children died before the age of five. In 2014 only one in ten die before the age of five. While still a very high death rate among children it is obvious that some gains have been made. Read more in "An Afghan Success Story: Fewer Child Deaths", NPR, February 4, 2014.

Afghans Looking for Results From Presidential Elections

In April 2014 the Afghans will once again vote for a president - replacing Karzai who has held the position way too long. There are 11 presidential candidates who are looking for support in the election. A key issue will be the future deployment of foreign troops in Afghanistan after December 2014. The two top priorities for Afghans are security and economic gains. Read more in "As campaign begins, Afghans look for results, not promises", Stars and Stripes, February 2, 2014.

U.S. has failed in Afghan Counternarcotics Fight

A recent new report sheds light on the failure of the U.S. to counter the narcotics industry in Afghanistan. Read more in "U.S. has 'failed' narcotics fight in Afghanistan, says inspector general", CNN, February 3, 2014.

Afghan Interpreters: Trusted With a Gun but Not a Visa

Afghan interpreters who are seeking a U.S. visa continue to be stone-walled by the United States Department of State. Read more in "The US trusted them with a gun, but not a visa", Brisbane Times, February 4, 2014.

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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Kentucky Guard Trains Afghan Army in RC North

Photo LTJG Bryan Mitchell Jan 2014

Members of the Kentucky National Guard are training Afghan Soldiers at Camp Marmal in Regional Command North (RC North). They are part of the Kentucky National Guard 1103rd Military Police Detachment. Many of the military police units belonging to the Army National Guard are also members of the civilian police and law enforcement community. There are many observers and critics who feel that the training of the Afghan National Police (ANP) fell way behind the training of the Afghan National Army (ANA). That is considered by some as one of the most likely of the reasons that the ANA is considered a professional institution when compared to the corrupt and mostly ineffective ANP. When the Army deployed its initial Security Force Assistance Advisory Teams (SFAAT) in early 2012 many of these teams were assigned to advise and assist the Afghan Uniform Police (AUP) in the district centers. However, most of the SFAATs did not have the one Military Policeman assigned as required by ISAF Joint Command (IJC); in fact most of the SFAAT advisor teams had no one with a military police background. The SFAATs advising the police were supposed to have four Embedded Police Mentors (EPMs) but many would only have one or two. This was a shortfall that could have been readily corrected with the addition of some U.S. Army National Guard police members but . . . it didn't happen. Some counterinsurgency experts consider the police to be the tip of the spear in the fight against an insurgency but this principle of COIN was largely ignored by the International Security Assistance Command. Read more in "Kentucky National Guardsmen train Afghan soldiers", DVIDS, January 31, 2014.

SIGAR Report: USAID Report Card 2002-2013

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has pumped over $13.3 billion dollars into Afghanistan between 2002 and 2013. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has completed a report on where the money went, how it was spent, and who spent the money for use. The date of the report is January 23, 2014. USAID awarded funds to implementing partners including multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, for-profit corporations, Afghan government entities, and U.S. government entities. The report provides a concise yet detailed accounting of where the money went and the scope of the USAID programs. You can read the report online or download it on the SIGAR website at www.sigar.mil/pdf/special%20projects/14-27-SP.pdf.

Paper - Hurdles to U.S. Stabilization Operations

A former defense analyst, Renanah Miles, writes a paper explaining why civilian agencies were unable to develop effective programs to assist the military in stabilization and counterinsurgency efforts in the Iraq and Afghan wars. The paper is entitled "The (Many) Hurdles to U.S. Stabilization Operations". You can read the paper posted on the Lawfare Blog here.

An Effective Drone Program for Targets in Pakistan

Michael McBride writes an article posted on the Small Wars Journal dated January 31, 2014 entitled "The Art of Restraining the Knife: Understanding the Limits of Drone Strikes in Pakistan".
http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/the-art-of-restraining-the-knife