Afghan War Blog

Monday, November 3, 2014

Burnout of SOF Operators

The last 13 years has seen multiple deployments for those in the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). However, just as things look like it would ease up (Iraq War ended in 2011 and Afghanistan is closing down in December 2014) trouble spots are erupting (Ukraine, North Africa, and Middle East). A very important factor in this ongoing, never-ending fight is "burnout" among the special operators of SOCOM. Read more in "Special Operations: SOCOM Operators Flee the House of Lies", Strategy Page, October 28, 2014.

Ghani on Security, Peace, and Corruption

President Ghani has returned from his trip to China. Upon his return to Afghanistan he made some comments about security, peace, and corruption. He promises to pursue corrupt officials (citing the reopening of the Kabul Bank investigation), increase security, and to bring the Taliban to the peace table. Read more in "Afghan President: Corruption, Security Top Issues", ABC News, November 1, 2014.

Afghan Economy is Suffering

The business climate in Afghanistan is suffering with the prospect of ISAF departing in December 2014. The business community in Kabul is worried and optimism is falling. Read more in "Afghan economy struggles amid security fears as U.S. troops pull out", The Washington Times, October 27, 2014.

Confronting the Afghan Narco State

A news report says that the new Afghan government will not be successful in curtailing the huge drug trafficking enterprise in Afghanistan. Read more in "Confronting the Afghan Narco-State: End the International Drug War", Forbes.com, October 30, 2014.

Incoming at ANDF-P

It appears that the Taliban conducted an indirect fire attack on a detainee housing unit at the Afghan National Detention Facility - Parwan (ANDF-P) located adjacent to Bagram Air Field. Twenty-six detainees - including members of the Taliban and other insurgent groups - were injured in the attack. Read more in "ISAF condemns indirect fire attack on Afghan detention facility", ISAF News, November 1, 2014.

Journalist Has Reservations on ANSF

A journalist who spent time with British forces in Afghanistan remembers his impressions of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Read more in "I have my reservations about Afghanistan, says defense reporter Tristan Nichols", The Herald, October 28, 2014.

303 EFS Departs Bagram Airfield (A-10s)

The 303rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt pilots have completed their deployment in Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan they conducted close air support missions throughout the country. They will return to the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base.

19th SFGA NCO "Retired" Over Bikini Video

An NCO of the 19th Special Forces Group is being "retired" because he provided support to a United Kingdom firm that produces a "Wounded Warrior Calendar" that raises money for wounded U.S. and British solders. The NCO, who was also wounded during a deployment (receiving a Purple Heart), assisted in the photo shoots for the 2015 "Hot Shots Calendar" by providing access to a National Guard military installation and some equipment (vehicles). Most of the video and calendar photos were actually produced on the property of a private gun club utilizing the facilities, equipment, and weapons of the private shooting range. The company that produces the calendar donates proceeds toward wounded British and American veterans. In an older (not so politically correct) Army this sort of patriotic behavior was encouraged (and enjoyed by the male members of the military). But the times have changed (unfortunately for us older Soldiers who remember the good times) and our military leaders are much more politically correct now. It would have been great to see the NG leadership in Utah to stand up to the Utah politicians and state that the NCO was just doing his part in the overall fight but it seems they caved very quickly on this issue. Seems to me he was just putting his Special Forces training to good use! Read more in "Utah National Guard disciplines four servicemen over bikini-model video", Yahoo! News, November 2, 2014.

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Sunday, November 2, 2014

Afghan Warlords and Democracy

A recent article provides us with an alternative and "kinder" view of warlords in Afghanistan. The author refers to the interaction of warlords within Afghanistan's political environment as "Warlord-Democracy Nexus" - a transition of warlords from fighters to politicians. The author shows us that the warlords provided a useful function in the early formation of the Afghan state post-2001. These warlords, typically based on regional and ethnic lines, provided support to the early Karzai regime. Afghanistan is a country used to de-centralized power and regional power brokers; early support from these regional power brokers ensured the weak central government could survive. One example provided is the warlord Rashid Dostum, who was chosen by President Ghani to be one of his vice-presidents. Dostum is an Uzbek warlord from northern Afghanistan who has wielded power of great importance over the past twenty years. Read more in "Afghanistan: Warlords and Democracy", The Diplomat, October 26, 2014.

Video - COMISAF Explains Afghanistan

The commander of the International Security Assistance Force, General John Campbell, is interviewed by Gail McCabe about the current and future status of Afghanistan. He covers topics such as capability gaps of the Afghan National Security Forces (aviation, intelligence, logistics, etc.), effectiveness of President Ghani, how the signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement and SOFA has sent a strong message to the Taliban, and how the Train, Advise, and Assist mission will work at the MoI, MoD, and corps level. He says corruption won't go away but it should subside now that President Ghani is now on board. Campbell says that the difference between Afghanistan in 2001 and 2014 is significant. He believes that more work has to be done and feels confident the international community will continue to support Afghanistan and continue its investment. The video is 20 minutes long and can be viewed at this link.

www.dvidshub.net/video/369675/closer-look-moving-forward

Tajik Militants in Badakhshan

News reports say that a number of Tajik militants are fighting alongside the Taliban in the remote province of Badakhshan, Afghanistan. There are a number of militant organizations fighting in this province including the IMU, al-Qaeda, and Jamaat Ansarullah. The Taliban have started to mass their numbers and attack district centers. Over 300 insurgents attacked a police outpost in Warduj district, Badakhshan province in late October. Read more in "Tajik militants fighting in Badakhshan, Afghan official says", Central Asia Online, October 28, 2014.

ANSF is Winning

The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is winning. So says LTG Anderson, ISAF Joint Command leader. Ummm, okay. Read about LTG Joe Andersons's thoughts on how the war is going in "Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson gives update on Afghanistan mission", Fayetteville Observer, October 31, 2014.

Latest 1230 Report - ANSF Improving

The latest assessment by the Department of Defense (1230 report) states that the Afghan National Security Forces held together during the 2014 fighting season. The report states that the Taliban failed to achieve their goal of disrupting the elections (true statement, the ANSF did well in April and June during the elections). In addition, the Taliban were ". . . unable to hold any significant terrain and were consistently overmatched when engaged by ANSF enabled by coalition air and intelligence support". Yep. When coalition air support and intelligence was provided to the ANSF in a battle the ANSF typically came out on top. And when the coalition air support and intelligence was NOT provided the ANSF . . . probably did not fare as well. Wording in the 1230 report is everything. The report makes a big deal about the Taliban not controlling significant territory. I guess "significant" has to be defined. Obviously the districts of Sangin, Azra, and Charra Darra are not significant. Neither is the province of Nuristan I suppose. Usually guerrilla and insurgent groups are less concerned about controlling terrain and more concerned about controlling the population and having freedom of movement. Read more in "In latest Afghan war report, Pentagon lauds Afghan security forces", Stars and Stripes, October 31, 2014.

Taliban Free Russian Pilot

The Afghan Taliban has freed a Russian contract helicopter pilot who was captured in eastern Logar province in April 2013. The pilot had fallen seriously ill. Eight Turkish engineers, and one Afghan citizen were captured when their helicopter made an emergency landing in a part of Logar province that has been controlled by the Taliban for a number of years. Read more in "Taliban free Russian pilot after 18 months in captivity", Reuters, October 31, 2014.

Afghanistan: Never Ending Story

A commentator paints a dismal picture of the state of Afghanistan in "The Neverending Story, or How to Mess Up Afghanistan", The Huffington Post Blog, October 30, 2014.

Six Surprising Facts on Afghanistan

There is a lot of doom and gloom in the news reporting about Afghanistan. Two writers, Mehreen Farooq and Waleed Ziad, are fretting that we won't appreciate some of the good things about Afghanistan. They have penned an article entitled "Six Things About Afghanistan That May Surprise You", The South Asia Channel (Foreign Policy), October 27, 2014. Briefly:

1. Hardline Islamism is not the mainstream religion in Afghanistan.
2. Afghanistan has had some famous poets and artists.
3. Kabul and Kandahar were not always the backwaters of Asia.
4. While socially conservative some women have played major roles.
5. Sectarianism is not as big a problem as viewed by westerners.
6. It is possible to promote progressive values.

Suicide Car Bomber Kills 11 ANSF

A suicide car bomber killed eleven members of the Afghan security forces and wounded over 20 civilians near a police checkpoint in Azra district eastern Logar province in Afghanistan. Read more in "Suicide car bomber kills 11 police, soldiers in Afghanistan", Reuters, November 1, 2014.

Coffee and Afghan War News at 5:00 AM

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Prospects of Regional Integration in Central Asia

Fatema Z. Sumar, Deputy Assistance Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, recently addressed a gathering at George Washington University (October 28, 2014) where she provided comments on Central Asia and Afghanistan. She highlighted a number of developments in the region that are having an impact on the political, economic, and security situation in Central Asia. She pointed out that Afghanistan is on the right path. The country recently held elections, elected a new president, signed the Bilateral Security Agreement with the United States, and that the United States has renewed its commitment to the train, advise and assist mission over the next two years. She also stated that the U.S. has "redoubled efforts to advance the New Silk Road initiative economically linking Afghanistan with Central and South Asia . . .". You can read all of her comments in "Prospects for Regional Integration in Central Asia", U.S. Department of State, October 28, 2014.

October 2014 DoD 1230 Report

One of the most informative unclassified reports about the state of the conflict in Afghanistan is published twice a year. The report, compiled by the Department of Defense, is mandated by Congress. Informally known as the "1230 report" - a name derived from the Section 1230 of Fiscal Year 2008 Public Law 110-181 (National Defense Authorization Act) - the report is formally know as Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan. It is 114 pages long and contains sections on security, the ANSF, governance, reconstruction and development, regional engagement, and more. The report covers the progress (and lack of progress) in Afghanistan from April 1 to September 30, 2014. If you need to know what is going on with the Afghan National Security Forces and don't have access to classified data this is an extremely useful report.

www.defense.gov/pubs/Oct2014_Report_Final.pdf

Afghan War News Glossary

The Afghan War has provided us with a wealth of new terms, phrases, and words that were not in our vocabulary prior to September 2001. Add to this terminology the large "military" vocabulary that already existed and it is easy to understand how the novice or non-military person may be confused. Even if you have years in the military, if you have not deployed to Afghanistan before (as in the new CSTC-A commander), then you have to learn certain words and phrases quickly. For instance, one common mistake is referring to Afghans as "Afghanis". A quick reference guide could be helpful. Fortunately, there is one available entitled the Afghan War Glossary. Enjoy.

Paper - How Has COIN Changed?

The Small Wars Journal has posted another paper about counterinsurgency. "How Counterinsurgency Has Changed Across the 20th and Into the 21st Century?" (October 26, 2014) is penned by Wayne Tyrrell - a member of the Irish Defence Forces who has served in Liberia, Lebanon, and Chad. His paper on counterinsurgency is focused on ". . . the modern doctrine crafted in the wake of Iraq and Afghanistan, its foundational basis and its adequacy to cope with a new form of globally networked and ideologically based insurgency".

Good Taliban Killed; Pakistan Unhappy

Pakistan is very supportive of U.S. drone strikes (CIA I would think) striking the "bad Taliban". The "bad Taliban" would be the ones who are opposing the Pakistan regime. It seems that one of our drones hit the "good Taliban" (the ones that the Pakistan intelligence service arms, equips, trains, and provides sanctuary to and that attack the ANSF and ISAF) and Pakistan is somewhat dismayed. Read more in "Pakistan condemns drone strike that targeted 'good Taliban", Threat Matrix, a blog of the Long War Journal, October 31, 2014.

Afghan Oversight

A writer comments of the importance of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) report provided to Congress on 30 October, 2014. See "A Big Week in Washington War Oversight", Just Security, October 30, 2014.

How Can Afghanistan Kick Its Drug Habit?

A writer, M. Ashraf Haidari, provides us an explanation of the poppy cultivation problem in Afghanistan and some recommendations on how to reduce Afghanistan's dependence on the drug trade. Read "How Afghanistan Can Kick Its Drug Habit", The South Asia Channel (Foreign Policy), October 24, 2014.

Senate Report - Aid to Afghainstan

The United States Senate will be supporting Afghanistan's future with billions of dollars but the aid is tied to human rights reforms and closer oversight on how Afghanistan spends its money. The United States is expected to provide between $5 and $8 billion annually for at least a decade. Read more in "Senate report outlines plan to keep tens of billions of dollars flowing to Afghanistan", The Washington Post, October 25, 2014.

DCGS - A Failure with Revolving Door

The Distributed Common Ground System - Army or DCGS-A has proven to be a money pit. The "pie in the sky" fix for all things intelligence has not worked to its expectations and certainly has not been worth the billions of dollars spent on it. A recent news report now states that there is a "revolving door" that allows contractors and DoD officials to work first for the government on DCGS related projects and then for the many firms that are sub-contracting on the DCGS program. Read more in "INSIDE WASHINGTON: Profiting from failure", AP The Big Story, October 27, 2014.

Questions on Classification of RASR

The media has picked up on the story about ISAF classifying a previously unclassified portion of the RASR. Read more in "U.S.-led forces rebuked for making Afghan troop evaluations secret", Reuters, October 30, 2014.

Afghan War Amputees - A Harsh Future

The land of Afghanistan is scattered with mines from past conflicts - although many have been policed up there are still thousands lying beneath the surface waiting to be stepped on. In addition, one of the highest casualty producing methods employed by the Taliban is the use of IEDs or Improvised Explosive Devices. IEDs cause injuries among the civilian population as well as among members of the Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Force. Those Afghans who are wounded by IEDs usually suffer one or more amputations. Read more on this topic in "War amputees in Afghanistan face harsh lives of discrimination and poverty", The Washington Post, October 26, 2014.

Army Is Downsizing Too Fast

Manpower officials within the United States military are concerned that the U.S. Army may be downsizing too quickly. Assumptions were made in 2012 about what the Army size should be based on the Iraq conflict ending in 2011 (at least for the U.S.) and the Afghan War ending in December 2014. However, events have turned those expectations into dashed dreams. The Taliban are as strong as ever in Afghanistan and Iraq is a mess. Couple that with Russia's intervention in the Ukraine and potential hot spots in Asia and you have a gloomy picture of the world. Read more in "Personnel chief: Army may be drawing down too fast", Army Times, October 26, 2014.

Rula Ghani May Play Decisive Role

The wife of the new President of Afghanistan, Rula Ghani, has generated some excitement within the "gender crowd" of expats, international aid workers, and development advisors. They see Rula Ghani has a modern women who will lift the status of Afghan women. Mrs. Ghani is a Lebanese-American who is highly educated. Read more in "Afghanistan's New President Thinks His Wife Can Play a Decisive Role", History News Network, by Ali A. Olomi, October 27, 2014.

AVATAR - SOCOM Data Mining

AVATAR is an open-source data-mining program to be run by Special Operations Command (SOCOM) at the tactical, strategic, and operational levels. AVATAR stands for "Automated Visualization for Tailored Analytical Reporting". The objective of AVATAR is to filter and display open-source information that is specific and timely to the needs of Special Operations Forces. Read more in "SOCOM Wants to Start Data Mining the Open Web", Defense News, October 25, 2014.

Daily War News About Afghanistan

Friday, October 31, 2014

SIGAR Quarterly Report October 2014

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has released its Quarterly Report to Congress dated October 30, 2014. The ". . . report provides a summary of SIGAR's oversight work and an update on developments in the three major sectors of Afghanistan's reconstruction effort from July 1 to September 30, 2014. It also includes a discussion of U.S. counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan. During this reporting period, SIGAR published 31 audits, inspections, alert letters, and other products assessing the U.S. efforts to build the Afghan security forces, improve governance, and facilitate economic and social development."

www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2014-10-30qr.pdf

NATO Promises Afghans Air Support After 2014

The A-29 Tucano was supposed to be in the AAF by
now but Congressional meddling held up the program.

The international military coalition says it will continue to provide air support to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) after the last combat troops leave Afghanistan in December 2014. According to General Zahir Azimi, a spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, there was a recent agreement between Afghanistan and NATO on continued aviation support until the Afghan Air Force (AAF) has the sufficient capacity - likely to occur at the end of 2016. Some observers might make note that this is a bit of a reversal by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). During the past two years (2013 and 2014) ISAF's stand was that the Afghan security forces need to be able to conduct operations without air support (close air support, movement of equipment and personnel, and MEDEVAC) and that the Afghan Air Force would be able to support the ANSF by itself after ISAF departs (December 2014). A few factors have probably altered that stance. The Afghan Air Force is taking a lot longer to stand up. The AAF has been plagued by misuse drug running, corruption and illiteracy, and mismanagement by the United States Air Force. One of the few bright spots has been the Special Mission Wing (SMW). Despite the promise of air support many feel that it is a hollow promise; the lack of a robust ISAF air support presence will limit ISAF's ability to provide the air support needed by the ANSF. (See "NATO Defense Spending Cutbacks May Hurt Afghanistan As Air Support Dwindles", International Business Times, October 29, 2014).

Transport Capability of AAF. The Mi-17 helicopter program is just now coming up to the 87 ship strength but the crews (flying and maintenance) are still not able to conduct all-weather and night-flying operations (only a few can, like the SMW) and maintain the aircraft. In addition, the U.S. Congress is hot about the use of Russian helicopters in the AAF. The Afghans are still not able to maintain their own helicopters to a sufficient degree and will need help in the future years in this area. The C-27A program of 20 light transport aircraft has been an extreme embarrassment to the U.S. Air Force - 16 of the 20 were recently scrapped for 6 cents a pound; four are still at an airbase in Germany yet to deploy to Afghanistan. Plans to replace the 20 C-27As with four C-130s have fallen into question - the first two delivered had a utilization rate of 48% because of the lack of Afghan crews. The third was just delivered and delivery of the fourth C-130 is now on hold.

Close Air Support. The ability of the AAF to support the ANSF is very limited. There are about 11 Mi-35 Attack Helicopters of which only a few can fly; and those crews are not very experienced. The Mi-35s are to be replaced by the A-29 Tucano but that deployment was stalled for two years by Congressional members who favored a U.S. built aircraft from a competing company. The first Tucano arrived at Moody Air Force Base in September 2014 to start the initial training. Recent news reports indicate that the U.S. is going to "weaponize" the MD 530F helicopters currently in the AAF; good news but a little late.

2014 Fighting Season. In addition, the ANSF had its worst fighting season ever in terms of numbers of casualties and the Taliban threatened some districts with fighter formations in the hundreds. ISAF was forced to assist the Afghans during August and September 2014 with a significant number of air sorties; a large increase over support provided over the past two years. So . . . we now see a reversal on the decreased use of air support which is the right thing to do; we should never had withheld the air support in 2013 and 2014. We do want the Afghans to win; don't we?

ISAF Now Classifying ANSF Assessments

According to recent news reports the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is now classifying assessments of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). ISAF uses the Regional ANSF Status Report (RASR) to rate the various elements of the Afghan National Security Forces. The RASR is a monthly report that provides an update on the readiness, long-term sustainability, and associated shortfalls of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan Local Police (ANP). The RASR executive summary provides a high-level overview of the ANSF corps-level units across several operational effectiveness pillars and up until now has been unclassified. The bulk of the RASR that deals with units at the operational and tactical level was always classified.

The ANSF has some serious capability gaps (intelligence, close air support, logistics, aviation, MEDEVAC, aerial ISR, etc.). ISAF feels that sharing information about those capability gaps and vulnerabilities could harm the operational effort. Of course, the classification of the reports (capability ratings of the ANSF) denies the United States public an accurate picture of what is really going on with the development of the ANSF. There are many ongoing assessments of the ANSF that are available, but the ISAF assessments generally are more revealing and accurate.

Whether the classification of the general high-level overview is truly warranted is hard to determine. It seems that the general shortfalls of the ANSF are well-known so what "classified" information is ISAF really trying to protect? Sometimes the protection of information is truly warranted on an intelligence and operational basis and sometimes it is part of the "information operations" campaign of ISAF. Hard telling not knowing.

Read more in "U.S. Military Classifying Assessments of Afghan Military", Bloomberg Businessweek, October 30, 2014. See also "The Capabilities of the Afghan Military are Suddenly a Secret", Time.com, October 30, 2014.

ISAF Legal Advisors Meet Afghan Counterparts

The Legal Advisors for ISAF met with their Afghan counterparts at a conference in Kabul. Read more in this ISAF News release (October 30, 2014).

Germany and Uzbekistan Base Negotiations

Uzbekistan is squeezing Germany hard for allowing the use of the Termez Air Base in Uzbekistan. Germany uses the base as a transit point for personnel and equipment going into and out of Afghanistan; principally Camp Marmal located just outside the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. Germany has committed itself to participation in the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan that begins in January 2015. One would think that Uzbekistan would be interested in a secure Afghanistan especially in light of the threat that the IMU poses to its southern border but . . . not so much. Looks like the bank account balance is the driving issue for Uzbekistan; and they will worry about that jihad thing later. Read more in "Helicopter Crash Complicates Germany-Uzbekistan Base Negotiations", The Bug Pit (Eurasianet.org), October 28, 2014.

B-1B Bomber Blamed for Friendly Fire Incident

A newspaper report has stated that a B1 Bomber played a role in the deaths of five U.S. Army personnel in Zabul province. According to the report "The B-1B's sheer size required it to fly a wide orbit of five miles for optimum bombing as it made right turns over the nighttime battle site. This put it outside the range of night vision goggles. The goggles were the only equipment the bomber had to identify the infrared strobe lights worn by U.S. troops to distinguish them from the enemy and to keep them safe". News accounts like this one will likely generate support in Congress for keeping the A-10 Thunderbolt in the U.S. Air Force inventory; as it is the best suited aircraft for close air support. Read more in "Budget cuts, errant B1 bomber blamed in deadly 'friendly fire' accident in Afghan war", The Washington Times, October 29, 2014.

Start A.M. with Afghan War News

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Paper - "China's Foreign Policy in Afghanistan"

The Lowy Institute for International Policy has released a paper by Dirk van der Kley that examines China's policy options in Afghanistan once the NATO-led mission comes to an end in December 2014. There were three key findings in the paper to include 1) China will not make a meaningful security commitment to Afghanistan, 2) China views economic engagement as key to stability, and 3) China will strengthen its contact with a range of political groups to include the Taliban. The paper concludes by saying China has an interest in Afghanistan's long-term stability, that China is worried about the spreading of instability to Xinjiang province, and that China is stepping up its engagement with Afghanistan. Read "China's Foreign Policy in Afghanistan", Lowy Institute for International Policy, October 24, 2014.

Why Stay in Afghanistan?

A commentator, Edward Corcoran, provides us with the rationale for staying in Afghanistan. He provides strategic and practical reasons. Read his article "Why Afghanistan II?", The Blog - Huffington Post, October 21, 2014.

"Drone Queens" - Who Are They?

In the battle against worldwide terrorism women of the United States are playing a major role. They are very visible in the military services and also in the intelligence services. So who are the "Drone Queens"? A recent news article says that they are women in their thirties with a decade or more of experience working for the CIA hunting for terrorists. Their colleagues refer to them as "the sisterhood". The television series "Homeland" is based on Read more in "The CIA's Real Drone Queens", Real Clear Politics, October 21, 2014.

UK Soldiers - "Brave as Lions"

The United Kingdom has completed its 13 year-long war in Afghanistan. It will keep some military officers and NCOs on the NATO staff that will be conducting the Resolute Support mission as well as some instructors, trainers, and advisors working at "Sandhurst in the Sand" in Kabul. Britain's main contribution (its role in ISAF SOF is also important) will be its role in Helmand province where it suffered the vast majority of its casualties. Many observers will wonder how much actually got accomplished over those many years and the inevitable look back over decisions and policies will certainly take place. Some commentators are getting an early start. Read "Brave as lions but poorly led - the British heroes of Helmand", The Telegraph, October 23, 2014.

Pictures - 13-Years of UK in Afghanistan

The United Kingdom spent 13 years fighting in Afghanistan and lost over 400 of its military personnel. The UK recently handed over its largest base - Camp Bastion in Helmand province - to the Afghan National Army. The BBC has compiled some pictures of the UK commitment to Afghanistan. See "UK troops in Afghanistan 2001-2014", BBC News UK, October 26, 2014.

3rd ID HQs to Deploy to Afghanistan

Members of the 3rd Infantry Division will soon deploy to Afghanistan to assume their role as the United States Forces Afghanistan National Security Element. A few members of that contingent will serve in Qatar and Kuwait. The deployment will be 12 months long and will be part of the Resolute Support mission that begins in January 1, 2014. The troops will find themselves in a variety of locations to include Bagram Air Base and FOB Gamberi. Read more in "About 200 Fort Stewart soldiers heading to Afghanistan on 12-month deployment", Army Times, October 28, 2014.

Afghanistan's Addiction to Opium

There is widespread agreement that the $7.6 billion effort to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has failed. In fact, the problem is getting worse every year. The Afghan economy has a heavy criminal component, criminal patronage networks involve provincial governors, district sub-governors and high-ranking members of the Afghan National Police (ANP). The Taliban are funded to a large degree from the drug trade. In 2012 Afghanistan produced 95 percent of the world's opium - exporting it to Russia, Europe, and Iran. The increase in yield from 2012 to 2013 was 50%; from $2 billion to $3 billion. Read more in "Afghanistan's Unending Addiction", The New York Times, October 26, 2014.

NATO's DEEP Training

A series of academic programs were recently conducted by NATO in Europe for the benefit of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). NATO's Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) provided the opportunity for senior members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, and others to exchange ideas and explore operational cooperation.

"Defence Education Enhancement Programmes are tailored programmes through which the Alliance advises partners on how to build, develop and reform educational institutions in the security, defence and military domains. They focus in particular on faculty building and curriculum development, covering areas such as teaching methodology, leadership and operational planning".

Read more in "NATO and senior Afghan officials welcome enhanced relationship", North Atlantic Treaty Organization, October 24, 2014.