C-5M Super Galaxies Assist in Retrograde

The 18th Air Force has begun using C-5M Super Galaxies to move equipment out of Afghanistan. Most of the retrograde has been completed using C-17s; however the Operation Inherent Resolve (Iraq War) mission has cut into the availability of the C-17s for Afghanistan. The C-M5 is usually used in a strategic role (transatlantic flights) not in a tactical role (shorter flights into and out of war zones). Read more in "18th AF goes big on retrograde operations", Air Mobility Command, October 24, 2014.

Interpreter Describes Ordeal of U.S. Visa

A former Afghan interpreter who lived and worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan for years describes the terror he endured while waiting for a U.S. visa. It took him 3 1/2 years to get a visa to come to the United States. During that time, because he assisted the U.S. military, the Taliban kidnapped his father and killed him. They later kidnapped his little brother and held him for ransom; he was released when the interpreter paid a $35,000 ransom (a lot of money for an Afghan). The U.S. State Department has been extremely negligent in the processing of visas for interpreters. It is estimated that up to 80% of Afghan interpreters have been unable to acquire visas. One of the State Department's lame excuses is that that Afghan's are a security risk and that detailed background checks are required. This is questionable - for instance, when this specific interpreter finally received his visa his legal name on the visa was "FNU Mohammad". FNU stood for First Name Unknown. How thorough of a security investigation was conducted if the visa doesn't have the first name right? Read more in "Afghan Who Helped US Describes Sheer Terror of Being a Taliban Target", Business Insider, October 23, 2014.

Afghan Women Football

Afghan women have their own football league (it looks sorta like soccer to me). The women's league, called the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), recently held a tournament in Kabul. The four-team league is just starting out but holds some promise to grow in the future.The women wore black head-scarves and full leggings as part of their uniform. Read more in "Afghan women have a football league of their own", The Star, October 24, 2014.

Morning Coffee and the Morning News

You can receive the Afghan War News Daily Newsletter each day. It should arrive in your e-mail inbox at 5:00 am Eastern Standard Time. It is easy to subscribe. Send an e-mail to staff@afghanwarnews.info or go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and submit your subscription request in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box in the top of the right hand column. It is easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.

New Danish Strategy for Afghanistan

The Danish Government has published a new strategy for the combined Danish efforts in Afghanistan for the years 2015-2017. The strategy includes the integrated Danish political, military and civilian efforts in the country. Denmark recognizes that Afghanistan now has full responsibility for security and social development; but that Afghanistan also needs support in the coming years. To that end Denmark will continue with its military contribution - beginning in 2015 its military contingent will number 160 personnel. Some will work in Kabul while a transport helicopter will be stationed in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. Read more in a post entitled New Afghanistan Strategy 2015-17 focuses on development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, October 23, 2014 and in "New Strategy for Afghanistan", The Copenhagen Post, October 24, 2014,

Movie - "The Beast"

I recently read a Tom Ricks review of the movie Fury starring Brad Pitt. Fury  is set in World War II and centers on a Sherman tank crew. Ricks says the movie Furey is fine and worth seeing . . . but keep your expectations in check. However, he does recommend viewing a film entitled The Beast  - a story about a Soviet T-62 tank crew that gets lost during an operation in Helmand province. The film was produced in 1988 just one year prior to the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and thirteen years before 9/11 and the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. The Beast is available at Amazon.com. Wikipedia has a write up about The Beast. (SPOILER ALERT: The plot and outcome of the movie is revealed in the Wikipedia writeup!).

Paper - "Counter-Unconventional Warfare"

Captain Robert Newson, a U.S. Navy SEAL, provides us some commentary on a "counter-unconventional warfare strategy" that could be a way of to counter the emerging threat of hybrid warfare (as in the Ukraine conflict). He makes reference to a recent white paper by U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) entitled "Counter-Unconventional Warfare" dated September 26, 2014. The paper puts forward the argument that the United States requires ". . . but does not have a credible strategic-level ability to interdict and roll back external sponsorships of insurgent and separatist movements". The U.S. Army has the led for unconventional warfare - by virtue of this UW mission and the Special Forces training that they receive SF in particular and SOF units in general should have the lead for a counter-UW mission. Read more in "Counter-Unconventional Warfare Is the Way of the Future. How Can We Get There?", Council on Foreign Relations, October 23, 2014.

Interview / Book: John Nagl and "Knife Fights"

Once again, by way of Octavian Manea (the interviewer) Small Wars Journal brings us a great interview - this time of John Nagl, a retired Army officer, proponent of counterinsurgency, and author of several books. Nagl's newest book is Knife Fights: A Memoir of Modern war in Theory and Practice, The Penguin Press, New York 2014. Nagl rose to prominence with his book "How to Eat Soup With a Knife". He also was one of the principle writers for the December 2006 issue of FM 3-24, Counterinsurgency. In the interview, Octavian Manea, asks Nagl several questions; some that reflect upon the war in Afghanistan:



1. What are the lessons to remember from the post 9/11 campaigns?
2. Why the title "Knife Fights"?
3. What is / was the center of gravity in Washington?
4. Tell us about Don Rumsfeld.
5. Who are the core formative thinkers and what are the takeaways that shaped your COIN worldview?
6. How do insurgencies end?
7. What about leveraging host nation governments?
8. What happened after the Iraq surge?
9. How do we build a better peace?
10. Is there a need in the future for a "small wars capability"?
11. What should NATO do about hybrid warfare in Europe?
12. What about the Arab spring?
13. What about Vietnam and what should be the lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan?
14. Comments on 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance.

Nagl provides us with some very good answers. View the interview at the link below:
http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/knife-fights-john-nagl%E2%80%99s-reflections-on-the-practice-of-modern-war

Experts Skeptical of New Silk Road

The United States rolled out the New Silk Road Strategy (NSRS) a few years back as one of the ways of filling the void of a diminished United States military presence in Afghanistan. The intent was to link the Central Asian states together (along with Afghanistan) in trade in an effort to increase economic activity and strengthen economies. The outcome would provide a stronger economy for Afghanistan which would cut into the support insurgents would enjoy from the population. However there are doubts that the NSRS will work. Read more in "Following the New Silk Road", The Diplomat, October 22, 2014.

Lack of Census Hinders Afghanistan

Afghanistan has not had a real census of its population for quite a long time. This hinders the proper administration of many government programs and also casts the results of the country's elections in doubt. It is difficult to effectively plan long-term development projects. In addition, lack of demographic knowledge aids corruption during elections and the favoring of regional allies. Read more in "Afghanistan's Demographic Drought", The South Asia Channel of Foreign Policy, October 22, 2014.

Book - Interview with Author

The Swedish journalist Jenny Nordberg is interviewed about her book entitled The Underground Girls of Kabul. The book is the result of several years of investigation into the cultural practice (hidden from westerners) of having a girl pose as a boy until puberty. Read more in "Book Talk: Women in Afghanistan, through a looking glass", Reuters.com, October 23, 2014.

Constitutional Issues with NUG

Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief now that the election dispute between Ghani and Abdullah is settled. The question is how long will the honeymoon last. The National Unity Agreement or NUG provides for a power-sharing agreement between the two candidates but once they start opposing each other on issues the resolution process may be in question. Many observers are now looking into the possibility that the NUG could present unintended consequences - especially in regards to the Afghan constitution. Ghizaal Haress is an Assistant Professor at the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) where she teaches Constitutional Law. She has posted an article entitled "Did Politics Compromise Afghanistan's Constitution?", South Asia Channel of Foreign Policy Magazine, October 23, 2014.

Map of 2014 Large Taliban Offensives by District

The Taliban conducted a very intensive 2014 fighting season in Afghanistan. The fighting season typically runs from April to October. The 2014 fighting season saw the Taliban massing forces in larger numbers and taking over several district centers for as long as a month before the ANSF could dislodge them. Many times the Taliban operated in groups as large as 100 members. This is something that would not be done in the past due to ISAF air power. However, ISAF air power was withheld from the ANSF during much of the 2014 fighting season; and only used in greater numbers in August and September when it became apparent the ANSF desperately needed some assistance. You can view a map (produced by Jason Lyall of Yale University) of where the Taliban operated in large formations by district at "Taliban Offensives (April-October 2014)", CARTODB, October 2014.

Start Off Your Day With Afghan War News

You can receive the Afghan War News Daily Newsletter each day. It should arrive in your e-mail inbox at 5:00 am Eastern Standard Time. It is easy to subscribe. Send an e-mail to staff@afghanwarnews.info or go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and submit your subscription request in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box in the top of the right hand column. It is easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.

Article - Promise and Pitfalls of Partners

A recent paper provides us with an optimistic (yet realistic) look at the use of partners in our goal of deterring adversaries and maintaining stability. He references the recently distributed Army Operating Concept provided by the Army Capabilities Integration Center (ACIC). The AOC lists security cooperation as one of the eleven key missions for the U.S. Army. The author praises the AOC's "measured approach towards security assistance". Three reasons are provided for "partnering" 1) US troops in harm's way is fraught with political difficulties, 2) decision-makers are seduced by low cost and risk, and 3) for every security assistance failure there is a quiet success. Read more in "Army #Operating Concept: The Promise and Pitfalls of Partners", by Crispin J. Burke, on The Bridge, published October 22, 2014.

New Afghan President's Style

A New York Times correspondent in Kabul, Azam Ahmed, provides us with a behind the scenes look of President Ghani. The newly elected president has been developing some momentum in his administration. He immediately signed the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). He very quickly re-opened the Kabul Bank fraud investigation; putting the corrupt Karzai clan into the HP mode. To the consternation of conservative religious leaders his wife is publicly on display. Sometimes though, it is the little things that matter; and Ghani has shown that all aspects of governance are important to him at every level. He seems to prefer institutions over politics. While he may not be successful, it certainly is a refreshing change over the crook Afghanistan had for a president previously. Read more in "Learning a New Afghan President's Style", The New York Times, October 23, 2014.

Book - "Future of Blackwater and Guns for Hire"

Linda Robinson reviews a book entitled The Future of Blackwater and Other Guns for Hire by Anne Hagedorn. The book is in two parts. The first provides background information on the rise of the private security firms on the battlefield (spending a little too much time on the few instances of wayward behavior). The second part of the book delves into the operational need and financial benefits of using contractors. Read the book review here.

Paper - Airpower and COIN in Afghanistan

Jason Lyall of Yale University has wrote a paper entitled Bombing to Lose? Airpower and the Dynamics of Violence in Counterinsurgency Wars (August 9, 2014). The use of close air support during an insurgency is vital if used properly. Lyall's paper is posted on the Social Science Research Network at the link below. An abstract of his paper follows:

"Are airstrikes an effective tool against insurgent organizations? Despite the question's historical and contemporary relevance, we have few dedicated studies, and even less consensus, about airpower's effectiveness in counterinsurgency wars. To answer this question, I draw on declassified United States Air Force records of nearly 23,000 airstrikes and non-lethal shows of force in Afghanistan (2006-11), satellite imagery, and a new SQL-enabled form of dynamic matching to estimate the causal effects of airstrikes on insurgent attacks over variable temporal and spatial windows. Evidence consistently indicates that airstrikes markedly increase insurgent attacks relative to non-bombed locations for at least 90 days after a strike. Civilian casualties play little role in explaining post-strike insurgent responses, however. Instead, these attacks appear driven by reputational concerns, as insurgent organizations step up their violence after air operations to maintain their reputations for resolve in the eyes of local populations."

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2422170

U.S. Army Chief of Engineers Tours Afghanistan

The U.S. Army Chief of Engineers recently visited Afghanistan touring several bases. He received mission update briefings, met with U.S. and Afghan engineers, and learned about efforts of building partner capacity, supporting base master planning, force protection, and Afghan engineer development. On a visit to Camp Ghazi he visited the Afghan National Engineer Brigade. Read more in "Chief of engineers visits Afghanistan", DVIDS, October 22, 2014.

Interview - Former Foreign Minister Lafraie

The former Foreign Minister of Afghanistan between 1992 and 1996, Professor Najibullah Lafraie, was interviewed recently and provided his assessment of the political and security situation of Afghanistan. An interesting look from an Afghan statesman's perspective. Read "US Troops Surge in Afghanistan, Repetition of  Mistake Committed in Iraq", Eurasia Review, October 19, 2014.

1st Cav Redeploys From Afghanistan

The HQs of the 1st Cavalry Division has returned home. They were deployed to the south of Afghanistan to form the core of Regional Command South (RC South). About 70 1st Cav members remain for several more months to constitute the core of the replacement headquarters for RC South - which was renamed Train Advise Assist Command - South or TAAC South. RC South was the headquarters element for about 16 partner nations in southern Afghanistan conducting the Security Force Assistance mission. Read more in "1st Cavalry headquarters returns from Afghanistan", Fort Hood Herald, October 22, 2014.

Comedian Taking Up Cause of Afghan Interpreters

A comedian has lambasted the United States Department of State for its inept handling of the Afghan interpreter Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. Read more in "Why is a Comedian the Only One Talking About the Plight of Afghan Interpreters", Council on Foreign Affairs, October 23, 2014.

Failed States Index - Afghanistan #7

Good News! Afghanistan is not the "most failed state" in the world; although it does come in on top ten. The country may be the 1st (sometimes 2nd) most corrupt nation in the world but it seems to be considered less fragile than 6 other countries. The nations that beat out Afghanistan are:


1. South Sudan
2. Somalia
3. Central African Republic
4. Democratic Republic of Congo
5. Sudan
6. Chad

Quite an achievement. So the the corrupt Afghan government leaders may be the world's most corrupt but at least there are several African countries that are more "fragile"! All those lives and billions of dollars we have spent have really brought Afghanistan out of the 14th century and into the . . . well, maybe . . . um . . .  15th century. You can view rankings of the most failed states on Foreign Policy at the following link:

www.foreignpolicy.com/fragile-states-2014

Get a Jump on the News

You can receive the Afghan War News Daily Newsletter each day. It should arrive in your e-mail inbox at 5:00 am Eastern Standard Time. It is easy to subscribe. Send an e-mail to staff@afghanwarnews.info or go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and submit your subscription request in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box in the top of the right hand column. It is easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.

International Military Education and Training - IMET

Every once in a while we hear about an Afghan from the ANA or ANP who, while attending a training course in the United States decides he has had enough of the war and he goes missing or requests asylum. How does this ANA soldier or ANP policeman get to the United States in the first place? Usually it is through the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program. IMET provides funds for training and education on a grant basis to students from allied and friendly nations (one of them being Afghanistan). The IMET program is a great training and educational vehicle for our military allies; and it is a great program for Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the slots for IMET in Afghanistan have not been fully filled (historically with a fill rate of just over 50%). In addition, the Afghan personnel selected for IMET training and education opportunities do not have a good command of English and are usually associated with the political patronage net of some of the higher ranking military or police officials. So, once again, the Afghans have squandered a great opportunity because of corruption, political patronage, and incompetence. You can learn more about IMET at the website of Security Assistance Monitor at this link:
www.securityassistance.org/content/international-military-education-and-training

Video - Traditional Afghan Pottery

The link at the bottom of this post takes you to a short video on Afghan potters and traditional Afghan pottery. In quotes below is a description of the video by NATO TV.

"Traditional Afghan pottery has been made in the village of Istalif for over 1,400 years using the same traditional methods. Its craftsmen believe that pottery arrived in Afghanistan with Alexander the Great and that their techniques have changed little since then.

But history has not been kind to Istalif’s artisans. The civil war found the small village on the frontline of the battle between rival militant groups, trying to capture nearby Kabul from the Taliban. The fighting almost destroyed the village and its kilns that had already been pounded by Soviet airstrikes.

Today the Turquoise Mountain Foundation is seeking to preserve the skills of Istalif’s ceramics masters. They have established a ceramics school in Kabul’s Murad Khane district and have produced 33 master potters."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9xlE3Kl3Vg

Trends of 2014 Fighting Season

The fighting season in Afghanistan typically starts in the spring and ends in the fall. Insurgent activity does not end completely; it just subsides significantly (somewhere around 30 to 60 %). The Afghan National Security Forces (army and police) usually take the winter time to do some re-training, re-fitting, leave time, and re-organization; although 2012 and 2013 saw some ANSF activity to "shape" the battlefield for the summer fighting seasons. This past fighting season (2014) is easing up; the activity level will go down as we move into November. Both the Taliban and the ANSF (along with ISAF) conduct a review of what worked and what didn't work. Once the fighting season assessments are completed, then they adapt their training and preparations for the upcoming fighting season (2015). One analyst, Jason Lyall, has identified five trends and lessons of the 2014 fighting season. Jason is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Yale University and his work examines wartime dynamics of violence and insurgencies.

1. The ANSF suffered highest loss rates of war in 2014.
2. Taliban massed on the battlefield with operations against 41 districts.
3. Taliban now has capability to conduct operations across the entire country.
4. Pakistan's aid to the Taliban continues and may have increased.
5. Intensity of fight forced ISAF to use its dwindling air power.

You can read his entire analysis of these five trends in "A (fighting) season to remember in Afghanistan", The Washington Post, October 20, 2014.

Afghan Corruption Tougher Than Mafia

The head of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) Mr. John Sopko says that it was easier to take on the mafia in Ohio than corruption in Afghanistan. Sopko's organization, SIGAR, has issued over 160 reports during his two years on the job that point to tens of billions of U.S. dollars being squandered due to Afghan corruption or inept oversight on the part of the U.S. military, USAID, and the State Department. Read more in "Afghan Corruption a Tougher Job After Taking on the Mafia", Bloomberg News, October 23, 2014.

WSJ - "Afghan Troop Casualties are Rising"

The Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) has released some casualty figures. Since March 21st, 2014 (the beginning of the Afghan calendar year) over 950 soldiers were killed. The casualty figures from the Ministry of Interior (MoI) show that over 2,200 policemen have died since March 2014. Using the western calendar - starting January 1, 2014 a total of 4,380 Afghan soldiers and policemen have been killed in combat. Thus far, 2014 has been the deadliest year for Afghan troops since the war began 13 years ago. Read more in "Afghan Troop Casualties Are Rising", The Wall Street Journal, October 22, 2014.

Ghani Brings Economic Optimism

With the election of President Ghani a new optimism is taking hold about Afghanistan's economy. Read more in "With New President, Economic Optimism Returns to Afghanistan", National Public Radio (NPR), October 21, 2014.

Aid Workers in Risky Business

There are numerous aid workers of all sorts working in Afghanistan throughout the country. Many work in the more dangerous areas. Read an online article about the risks that aid workers face in Afghanistan and elsewhere in A risky business: Aid workers in danger, DEVEX, October 8, 2014.

Drones Over Pakistan

An article about drone attacks against insurgents in Pakistan provides us with some recent background on drones and their effectiveness. Read "Pakistan-US: Death From the Skies - Analysis", Eurasia Review, October 20, 2014.

Withdrawal Under Fire in RC East

A recent news article paints a worrisome picture of the security situation in the south-eastern sector of Regional Command East (RC East). As the remaining Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) have been closed down or transferred to the Afghan National Army (ANA) U.S. Soldiers find that the Taliban have become increasing aggressive. Some observers say that the Taliban want to project the image that these attacks in the closing days of the U.S. presence are causing the U.S. to close up shop. Others say that these attacks are a sign of a deadly fighting season ahead in 2015. Read more in "Parting shot: No fond farewell for 82nd paratroopers in Afghanistan", Stars and Stripes, October 23, 2014.

President Ghani to Visit China

The newly-elected President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, will soon visit China. His first official trip out of the country will last three days. While in China he will sign agreements and have discussions on aid and Afghanistan's economy. Read more in "Afghan President to Visit China", Radio Free Europe, October 21, 2014.

COMISAF Upbeat on PoA

The Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) - General John Campbell - has met with President Ghani and observed his actions since he became President of Afghanistan (PoA). Campbell is "excited" about the future and the fact that Afghanistan now has a president who cares about the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). According to Gen Campbell, President Ghani has met with many of the leaders of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and visited troops at several ANA bases. General Campbell has been on the job for two months; having replaced General Joe Dunford in August. Campbell was interviewed by Gail McCabe in this short video - "COMISAF Looking Ahead SB", DVIDS, October 20, 2104.

Tangi Valley - Taliban Stronghold

The Tangi Valley in eastern Wardak province and western Logar province has always been an area controlled by the Taliban. Sure, the U.S. Army or the Afghan National Security Forces may go into the valley for 3 or 4 days each year but the remainder of the year the Taliban rule this mountainous area.The valley has its own Taliban governor, judicial system, and school system (funded by the Kabul government with international aid). A reporter from BBC news recently spent some time there and provides us with his observations in "Afghanistan conflict: Life inside a Taliban stronghold", BBC News Asia, October 20, 2014.

State Dept Blasted on Afghan Interpreter Issue

The State Department has done a horrible job in managing the Special Immigrant Visa program for Afghan interpreters. Congress has allocated by law thousands of visa quotas for Afghans who served as interpreters and translators for the U.S. military yet the State Department has been an obstacle to allowing Afghans who served the U.S. military who wish to re-locate to the United States. For instance, in 2011 there were 1,500 visas that could have been granted; yet the State Department issued only 3 visas. Appalling! John Oliver, of the "Last Week Tonight" show, provides us with a humorous yet very pointed look at how badly the State Department has performed its duties. View a video (16 minutes of pure laughs) on a description of the red tape an interpreter must make his way through in order to get a visa at this link. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QplQL5eAxlY

Video -"To Kill a Sparrow"

This video is the story of a woman from Afghanistan - named Soheila - who was betrothed at the age of 5 to an older man in an attempt to settle a family feud. Baad is a practice used to resolve disputes - providing a daughter to pay off a grievance. The video of the woman - now 24 years old - follows her tragic story. The documentary - "To Kill a Sparrow" - is a 30 minute long film that shows Soheila's long struggle to escape the life her father intended for her. See the video at "Bartered Away at Age 5, Now Trying to Escape to a Life She Chooses", The New York Times, October 19, 2014.

Video - "Modernising the Afghan Passport Office"

NATO TV has released (October 20, 2014) a video about the effort to modernize the Afghan Passport Office. The video depicts how Afghan citizens can now apply for e-passports, which provides biometric data that can be used to identify the passport holder and screen (and vet) people applying for passports. The new system has made it harder for criminals and insurgents to travel and reduce corruption (I don't believe that for a minute). In addition it has reduced the challenges that Afghan citizens face during their international travel. The video "Modernising the Afghan Passport Office" is about three minutes long and available at the following link. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsL0gBqa8Oo

Reconciliation with the Taliban?

A columnist assesses the Afghan Unity Government (NUG) and thinks that Afghanistan may be ready for a serious effort to reconcile with the Taliban. He explores the many different aspects that need to be considered for negotiations with the Taliban. Most likely the biggest issue to face is Pakistan's support of the Taliban; presumably Pakistan uses the Taliban as leverage to influence Afghanistan ". . . over bilateral issues like India's presence in Afghanistan, Kabul's longstanding refusal to recognize the border, and the apparent use of Afghan territory as sanctuary by some Pakistani Taliban".The author, Barnett R. Rubin, was senior advisor to the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Department of State during 2009 to 2013. Read his article in "  Is the Afghan Unity Government a Roadmap for Negotiations with the Taliban?", The South Asia Channel, Foreign Policy, October 20, 2014.

Afghan Diplomat Training

A group of 15 young Afghan diplomats are receiving training by the U.S. and China on diplomatic, communication, and management skills. The text of a State Department "media note" posted on October 20, 2014 is provided below:

"A group of 15 young Afghan diplomats kicked off their training visit to the United States at a welcome reception hosted at the State Department this morning by Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Daniel F. Feldman. The Special Representative was joined at the reception by Chinese Embassy Minister Wu Xi and Afghan Charge d’Affaires Mirwais Samadi.
This is the third year the United States and China have partnered to train the Afghan diplomatic corps on diplomatic, communications, and management skills. This year’s group includes fifteen early-career Afghan diplomats, who were selected jointly by representatives from the U.S. and Chinese Embassies in Kabul. In May, the participants participated in a two-week training program in Beijing sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While in Washington, the group will learn more about U.S. policies regarding both Afghanistan and China, as well as the process of formulating and implementing foreign policy in the United States.
During their two-week stay, the group will visit the Chinese and Afghan Embassies, tour Washington, D.C., meet with diplomats and scholars from various think tanks, practice diplomatic simulations at the University of Maryland, and visit the United Nations and Afghan consulate in New York City."

Ex-US Navy Pilot - Drones are Better

Some former fighter jocks are outspoken in their support of drones. See "Ex-US Navy fighter pilot MIT prof: Drones beat humans - I should know", The A Register (UK), October 20, 2014.

Girl's Education Backslides in Afghanistan

With the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan comes the diminished amounts of foreign aid. The cuts to funding are happening across the board but one sector - education is getting hit hard. Many of the women activists that championed the cause of Afghan women and girl's education are warning that the recent gains over the past decade are being eroded - primarily because of funding cuts. Perhaps if the Afghans had been a little less corrupt the nations that forked over the billions of dollars in aid would not be suffering from donor fatigue. (But that's just me thinking out loud). Read more in "The West Made Lots of Promises to Afghan Girls, Now It's Breaking Them", The Daily Beast, October 20, 2014.

More News Snippets

More news snippets include: some members of Afghanistan's upper house (Meshrano Jirga) are demanding that election commission officials be tried for election fraud and some suspects in the Kabul Bank case have jumped bail and are now out of the country.

Morning News and Coffee

You can receive the Afghan War News Daily Newsletter each day. It should arrive in your e-mail inbox at 5:00 am Eastern Standard Time. It is easy to subscribe. Send an e-mail to staff@afghanwarnews.info or go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and submit your subscription request in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box in the top of the right hand column. It is easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.

Book - "Rule of Law in Afghanistan"

An important new resource is now available for those who are conducting the Security Force Assistance (SFA) mission in Afghanistan. The Rule of Law in Afghanistan is a primer for practitioners. The author, Kristine Ziems of Touchpoint International Development Group, is an attorney and consultant specializing in legal development in emerging democracies. She wrote the primer in conjunction with (funding was provided) the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs' Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The primer is designed to provide a practical introduction to the rule of law development in Afghanistan. The topics covered by the Primer, as outlined below, range from the structure of the Afghan Government and the criminal justice system - including Shari'a law and traditional dispute mechanisms in Afghanistan, to efforts to combat corruption, counter narcotics, and develop the Afghan National Police. The Primer is a valuable tool for practitioners working in Afghanistan as well as policy and decision makers. The Primer outlines current issues, providing a historical context, but also with our international partners. The report is dated February 2014. It is available on at the below link:
https://sites.google.com/site/touchpointidg/training-and-educational-services/afghanistan

SIGAR - Poppy Cultivation Rises in Afghanistan

A report issued in October 2104 states that after a decade of reconstruction and over $7 billion in counter narcotics efforts, poppy cultivation levels in Afghanistan are at an all-time high. Afghan farmers grew an unprecedented 209,000 hectares of opium poppy in 2013, surpassing the previous peak of 193,000 hectares in 2007. Further increases in poppy cultivation is expected in 2014. The value of opium and its derivative products produced in Afghanistan rose from 2012 to 2013 by 50 per cent; and increase from $2 billion to $3 billion. Nangarhar province, once designated "poppy free" in 2008 saw an increase in poppy cultivation between 2012 and 2013. The former governor of Nangarhar, Gul Agha Sherzai, was not known for his anti-drug stance; in fact, he is well-known as a supporter and beneficiary of the drug trade. ISAF chose to ignore the criminal patronage network in the Nangarhar region as Sherzai was a political appointee of Hamid Karzai. See "Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan, 2012 and 2013", Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction Report SIGAR-15-10-SP, October 2014.

Film - "The Spaceman of Afghanistan"

BBC has produced a film called "The Spaceman of Afghanistan". Ahad Momand, Afghanistan's one and only astronaut, went into space in 1988 where he spent a week on the Russian space station Mir. Momand fled Afghanistan's civil war and went to Germany to live. A little piece of unknown Afghan history is presented in this 60 minute documentary. It is available on the BBC website at this link; however, you can only view it on BBC's site if you are in the UK. It has been uploaded to YouTube at this link.

Role of Neighbors in Rebuilding Afghanistan

A recent posting by Ajay Anil Cherian posted on International Policy Digest (October 12, 2014) entitled "Rebuilding Afghanistan: The Role of Its Neighbors" provides concrete reasons why the three countries of India, China, and Pakistan should provide substantial assistance to developing and reconstructing Afghanistan.

ISAF to Shut Down Anti-Corruption Task Force

The Pentagon will be shutting down a critical task force that has the responsibility to combat corruption in Afghanistan. The Combined Inter-Agency Task Force - Afghanistan (CIATF-A) was established in 2010 to ensure that U.S. money was going to the intended purpose - and not to Karzai's bank account in Dubai or into the coffers of the Taliban as a result of protection schemes. Many observers feel that the biggest problem in Afghanistan is not the Taliban but corruption at every level of Afghan society. Read more in "Afghanistan anti-corruption task force shuttered amid U.S. troop drawdown", The Washington Times, October 20, 2014.