Guest Bloggers Welcome

The Afghan War News Blog and the Afghan War News website are constantly striving to keep its blog, daily newsletter, and website factual, current, and relevant. If you have a link to a website or document you feel should be shared with the greater community then please send it to us. In addition,we are looking for individuals with some knowledge, experience, and expertise in Afghanistan on a wide range of topics to contribute articles to our blog and add content to our website. And naturally, if you see errors, outdated information, or broken links let us know.

staff@afghanwarnews.info

Daily News on Afghan War

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

UK Afghan Legacy

United Kingdom forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001. The UK special operations forces have played a significant role throughout the country (as part of ISAF SOF and later NSOCC-A) as well as numerous conventional force units in Helmand province. In late October 2014 UK forces departed Helmand province; however, some UK troops will remain on the ISAF staff and at the ANA Officer Academy near Kabul. The infographic above shows the troop strength of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and the United Kingdom from 2006 to the end of 2014. (Infographic from UK Ministry of Defence, 1 Nov 2014).

Facebook - Train Advise Assist Command - East

Train, Advise, Assist Command - East (TAAC East) now has a Facebook account. The command recently transitioned from Regional Command East (RC East) to TAAC East. The Facebook account provides news coverage, videos, and photos about TAAC East.

www.facebook.com/TAACEast

Afghan Plans for Camp Leatherneck

The Afghan 215th ANA Corps inherited a sprawling base in southwest Afghanistan with the departure of the Marines from Camp Leatherneck. The mystery is what will the Afghans do with the base, buildings (298), vehicles, equipment, and gear. One of the buildings is a $36 million, 64,000-square foot military headquarters built for the Marines but never used. Ouch. The camp was built to accommodate 26,000 troops. Read more in "Afghans' plans for gear, buildings at Leatherneck unclear", Marine Corps Times, November 2, 2014.

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day!

China's Afghan End Game

The Central and South Asian region is a study in complexity. The large regional actors (China, India, Pakistan, and Iran) all have similar, aligned and sometimes competing interests. For instance, India and China want to see a stable Afghanistan; Pakistan and China want to keep India's influence in Afghanistan at a minimum, Pakistan wants an unstable Afghanistan and supports the insurgents (the "Good Taliban"). An examination of China's relationship with Afghanistan provides us with a multi-pronged approach where China is playing all sides. Read more in "Afghan End Game: Chinese Security Imperative and Implications for India", International Policy Digest, November 3, 2014.

Afghan Mineral Wealth Awaits

Afghanistan has an immense reservoir of mineral wealth that remains untapped. Afghanistan's economic future can certainly change if security is established, infrastructure improved (electricity, roads, and railroads), and minerals extracted for export. However the infrastructure cannot be improved to a sufficient degree until security is established. And there is the rub. There is little confidence that the Afghan National Security Forces can establish security to the degree necessary for infrastructure improvement. The two biggest mineral development projects -  the Hajigak Iron Ore Mine in Wardak province and the Mes Aynak Copper Mine in Logar province are on hold until security is sufficient. Read more in "War, uncertainty keep Afghanistan from unlocking vast mineral wealth", Business Vancouver, November 10, 2014.

AH-64 Apaches Support Coalition and ANSF

The AH-64 Apache helicopters of the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade continue their operational tempo to support friendly forces on the ground. Behind the scenes are the maintainers that keep the Apaches at the tip of the spear. The maintainers work at Forward Operating Base Fenty (near Jalalabad). Learn more about their job in "Maintainers keep Apaches at the tip of the spear", DVIDS, November 3, 2014.

Two Afghans Training in Colorado Decide to "Stay"

Two Afghan prison officials who are attending a prison-reform training program in Colorado have decided to stay in the United States. It seems that they "disappeared" during the training program. One Afghan was later found attempting to cross into Canada. Another one has not been located - probably now living within the Afghan community in the United States. Read more in "2 Afghan nationals walked away from Colorado training, officials say", Stars and Stripes, November 3, 2014. See also "Two Afghan prison officers flee Colorado training center", The Denver Post, November 3, 2014.

Afghans Request UK Air Support

The Afghan government has requested continued air support from the United Kingdom for its ground troops during the Resolute Support mission. Kabul's air force does not currently have the capacity to deliver close air support; but hopefully, it will in the future once it receives its twenty A-29 super Tucano light strike aircraft (2016?). Read more in "UK ponders Afghan request for air support", IHS Jane's 360, October 30, 2014.

Audit of Kabul Embassy Security Force

The Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of State recently conducted an audit of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Worldwide Protective Services Contract (Task Order 10) for the Kabul Embassy Security Force (dated October 2014). You can read the report of the audit at the link below:
http://oig.state.gov/system/files/aud-mero-15-03.pdf

Technology and Afghanistan

Afghanistan's new president, Ashraf Ghani, is an academic and World Bank expert on state building. He has some experience in technology and how it can help weak states (like Afghanistan) cost-effectively improve governance. Telecommunications and technology are two of the brightest sectors of Afghanistan's economy; and there is hope that these two sectors will help other sectors grow. Ghani has used Skype and Google Hangout to chair town hall style meetings across the country. Read more in "As Afghan President, Ghani continues Tech Advocacy", Voice of America, November 3, 2014.

FOB Shank Transferred to ANA

Forward Operating Base (FOB) SHANK (also known as Tactical Base Shank), located in Logar province (south of Kabul) has been transferred to the Afghan National Army (ANA). 3rd Cavalry Regiment handed over the 'keys' to the base during a transfer of authority ceremony on October 23, 2014. At one time Tactical Base Shank was the third largest U.S. base in Afghanistan - housing nearly 5,200 personnel. Not only was the base turned over but a lot of excess equipment was transferred to the Afghans as well. Read more in "3d Cavalry Regiment hands over last major US base in southeast Afghanistan", DVIDS, November 2, 2014.

Afghans Struggle to Save Their Wounded

Starting in mid-2013 and going into 2014 ISAF started to refuse to fly almost all requests for MEDEVACs from the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Whether this was the right or wrong thing to do depends on your perspective and the circumstances of each individual incident. Certainly if you were the Afghan soldier who bled to death on the battlefield while you looked up and saw helicopters flying overhead it sucked. If you were the team leader of a Security Force Assistance Advisory Team (SFAAT) supporting an infantry kandak or a Special Forces ODA team leader advising the Afghan Local Police and your higher headquarters denied a request from you for a MEDEVAC you were put in a bad situation; especially as the Afghan died in front of you. If you were at a higher level within ISAF attempting to get the Afghans to use their own MEDEVAC capability then you were "doing the right thing" in forcing the Afghans to use their ground ambulances and their very basic field hospitals. But the bottom line is the Afghans, "our allies", were bleeding to death on the battlefield and dying in Afghan hospitals because of lack of medicine, qualified doctors, field hospitals, corruption . . . and an ISAF refusal to fly MEDEVACs.

While ISAF would tell you that things have gotten a lot better (in terms of ANSF capability to provide medical evacuation from the battlefield and hospital care), others would tell you a different story. Read more in "Special Report: Left to fight alone, Afghanistan battles to save wounded", Reuters, November 5, 2014.

Norway Pledges $110 Million in Annual Aid

The country of Norway, a long-time participant in the Afghan conflict and provider of foreign aid, has pledged $110 million for Afghanistan in 2015. The Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende visited Afghanistan on Saturday and met with President Ghani, CEO Abdullah, and the acting foreign minister Zarar Ahmad Osmani. The money is for civilian and military aid. Source - "Norway pledges $110 million in annual aid to Afghanistan", Khaama Press, November 9, 2014.

"Little Sparta" - UAE

One of the best allies that the United States has had in the Middle East is the United Arab Emirates or UAE. The UAE has been in Afghanistan since 2003 when it sent its Special Forces to fight alongside U.S. Army Special Forces. They recently withdrew their Special Forces in the past year. The UAE has also been an ally in the fight against the Islamic State. Read more in "In the UAE, the United States has a quiet, potent ally nicknamed 'Little Sparta'", The Washington Post,  November 9, 2014.

India, Iran, and Afghanistan

India and Iran are finding themselves in agreement on a number of issues - and some of these issues involve Afghanistan either directly or indirectly. For one, both nations want to see a stable Afghanistan that does not harbor insurgents or terrorists. (Although Iran wants to see the United States leave Afghanistan as soon as possible). This puts both nations at odds with Pakistan - which views a stable and secure Afghanistan as a threat (when viewed as a component of the conflict with India). In addition, there is the possibility of economic cooperation between India and Iran which may have an indirect impact on Afghanistan's economy. For instance, the Iranian Chabahar port project may be a significant development in the context of Asian security as a whole, and in part, on Afghanistan. Read more in "India, Iran, and the West", The Diplomat, November 9, 2014.

General Abdul Raziq

Kandahar is much safer now than several years ago. At one time the Taliban reigned supreme in the streets. But an Afghan police official (some say warlord) has tamed the city to an acceptable level. This security comes at a cost - in corruption, human rights, and governance. The police chief, Lt. Gen. Abdul Raziq, has ensured a degree of security within the city and some of the surrounding areas; however, some of his actions (and those of his police and private security force) are fueling the insurgency at the same time. Read more in "Powerful Afghan Police Chief Puts Fear in Taliban and Their Enemies", The New York Times, November 8, 2014.

Bombing Attacks Continue in Kabul

The insurgent groups are continuing their bombing campaign in Kabul. Despite heavy security provided by the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) insurgents are still attacking important targets. On Sunday an attack against the heavily fortified police headquarters killed a senior police official in one of three bombing incidents in Kabul that took place that day. The ANP officer killed was the chief of staff for the Kabul police. The bomber is said to have passed numerous checkpoints before detonating. Read more in "Explosions rock Afghan capital killing senior police official", The Washington Post, November 9, 2014.

Suicides Leading Cause of Death

According to the Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR), Volume 21, Number 10, October 2014, suicides has replaced war as the leading cause of death in the military. For the last two years, suicide has accounted for about three in 10 military deaths. Read more in "Suicide surpassed war as the military's leading cause of death", USA Today, October 31, 2014.

"Why Afghanistan Courts China"

President Ghani recently visited China - probably in a belief ". . . that Beijing could offset the decline in American and Western support". In the short-term Afghan government is fiscally handicapped and unable to defeat the Pakistan-backed Taliban insurgency; so it desperately needs foreign assistance. However, in the long term, Afghanistan, with its vast natural resource base and central position between Central and South Asia can be an economic asset to China. The relationship between China, Afghanistan and Pakistan is a complex one - and China may soon be adjusting this relationship. Read more in "Why Afghanistan Courts China", by Zalmay Khalizad, The New York Times, November 3, 2014. Khalizad was the United States ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United Nations.

Interview with Ambassador Volker

Kurt Volker, the former US Ambassador to NATO, is interviewed about the current and future situation in Afghanistan. He chats on China's increased involvement with Afghanistan (says it is a good thing) and about China's insurgent problem in Xiajiang province (and how a stable Afghanistan helps China defeat the ETIM). He concludes the 3 minute long interview with his list of 'uncertainties' that face Afghanistan in the future (Pakistan continued support of Taliban, a resurgent Taliban in the south, the loss of Kandahar province). Listen to the interview at "Kurt Volker, Former US Ambassador to NATO, on China, Afghanistan relations", CCTV America, October 31, 2014.

A Slashing of "Knife Fights"

John Nagl, the author of How to Eat Soup with a Knife, has authored a new book entitled Knife Fights. Nagl, a counterinsurgency advocate (he was one of the authors of the 2006 FM 3-24), is a favorite target of the anti-COIN crowd. His latest book, Knife Fights, is slammed hard by a commentator in "Revenge of the COIN Doctrine", The American Conservative,  October 31, 2014.

MREs - Changes in Future

New styles of MREs are currently being tested by the Army and will likely be fielded in 2015 and 2016. White-meat chicken chunks are on the way in 2015 along with hash brown potatoes with bacon and applesauce pound cake. "What's new in your MRE - 2105 and beyond", Army Times, November 1, 2014.

Criminal Probe on SEAL Book

The former Navy SEAL who wrote a first hand account of the 2011 raid that killed Osama Bin Laden is under investigation for possibly disclosing classified information. Read more in "Author of Bin Laden book is under criminal probe", Stars and Stripes, October 31, 2014.

European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan

A major part of the professionalization of the Afghan National Police (ANP) is due in part to the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan or EUPOL Afghanistan.

"The aim of the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL Afghanistan), launched in summer 2007, is to contribute to the establishment of a sustainable and effective civilian police, which works together with the Afghan justice system to improve the local population's safety. The mission monitors, mentors, advises and trains at the level of senior management of the Afghan Ministry of Interior, Afghan Ministry of Justice, Afghan Attorney General's Office, in Kabul and in several regions." 

Learn more about EUPOL Afghanistan at this link:
www.eupol-afg.eu

Resolute Support and Troop Withdrawal Timeline

Jonathan Foreman provides us with a very comprehensive description of the Resolute Support mission and the problems associated with the stated "Obama timeline" for withdrawal of U.S. troops through 2015 and 2016. He says it is not too late for the president to rethink his arbitrary end date for the Afghan mission. U.S. troop levels will drop to 9,800 beginning in January 2015. In January 2016 the troop levels will be about 5,000. By the end of 2016 all troops (advisors really) should be out except for the military who will be working at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Read more in "The Afghan Handover", The Weekly Standard, November 2014.

Afghanistan Ski Challenge

At an altitude of 11,000 feet the Afghanistan Ski Challenge is held once a year. It is somewhat austere in support and amenities and there is no ski lift. You have to ascend the mountain slope with your skis on your back in order to ski down. The ski challenge was started in 2010 and has grown to attract over 50 western competitors. There is also a "locals" race with homemade Afghan skis and a women's race held discreetly at a nearby location. Read more - "Inside the World's Most Dangerous Ski Race in Afghanistan", The Huffington Post, November 7, 2014.

IWPR Project Helps Afghans Work Towards Peace

The Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) has launched a program of events and training courses to inform young people about what they can do to promote peace-building and reconciliation in Afghanistan. The IWPR project, started in September 2014, is called Afghan Reconciliation: Promoting Peace and Building Trust by Engaging Civil Society. The project involves setting up citizen groups across the country to drive peace initiatives and work with the local branches of the High Peace Council. The High Peace Council is the Afghan governmental body tasked with negotiating with the Taliban. Read more in "Helping Afghans Work Towards Peace", Institute for War & Peace Reporting, October 21, 2014.

Pakistan Offers Army Training

Pakistan, a neighboring country of Afghanistan that supports the Taliban through its intelligence service, has offered to train Afghan officers in Pakistan. Interesting. Read more in "Pakistan offers to train Afghan National Army officers", Central Asia Online, November 7, 2014.

Marines Arrive at Pendleton

Marines and Sailors have returned to Camp Pendleton after their deployment to Helmand province, Afghanistan. Camp Leatherneck has been transferred to the Afghan National Army (ANA).
Read more in "Camp Pendleton: Last Marines Return from Afghanistan", The Press Enterprise, November 6, 2014.

NATO Chief Says Afghanistan Will Not Be Abandoned

The new chief of NATO - Jens Stoltenberg - says that Afghanistan will not be abandoned by NATO after its combat mission ends. Although NATO will finish the ISAF mission at the end of 2014 it will continue to support Afghanistan with the Resolute Support mission providing support and training. In addition, many countries will continue their financial support of Afghanistan; although at a lower level. About 12,500 troops will remain in Afghanistan after December 2014. Read more in "NATO Chief Vows Afghan Support as Combat Mission Ends", Defense News, November 6, 2014.

10th Mountain Returns from Afghanistan

The 10th Mountain Division has returned from Afghanistan where it fielded the Regional Command East (RC East) hqs. RC East has transitioned to Train Advise and Assist Command East or TACC East. Learn more in "10th Mountain Division headquarters returns from Afghanistan", Watertown Daily News, November 7, 2014.

Hagel to Stay as Secretary

Rumors that Secretary of Defense Hagel is on the way out to be replaced by Michelle Flournoy are not true (according to the DoD). Read more in "Pentagon Denies Rumors Hagel On His Way Out", DoD Buzz, November 8, 2014.

Congressional Oversight of Afghan War

The corruption with the Afghan government and national security forces (especially the police) is just as bad now as it has been since Karzai's "reign of corruption". President Ghani has an uphill battle to wage in trying to fix the corrupt Afghan government. In addition, the U.S. military and the civilian governmental agencies lack the will and (in some cases) the ability to perform oversight on the billions of dollars that will be provided to the Afghan government over the next ten years. There seems to be little interest in Congress in the tightening up of oversight procedures; their attention is diverted elsewhere. Read more in "As Afghanistan War Ends, Congressional Appetite for Oversight Wanes", Defense One, October 31, 2014.

Some Open Source Intel is Fake

Much is being made about the utility and importance of "open source intel". However, some of it can be misleading, not based on facts, and out-right deception. Governments and insurgent groups have been known to plant propaganda in social media. Read more in "Be Very Skeptical - A Lot of Your Open-Source Intel Is Fake", War is Boring, November 1, 2014.

Defense Clandestine Service (DFS)

Little is known about the Defense Clandestine Service (DFS) outside of the intelligence community. This newly established entity of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was set up a few years back. Some in Congress saw it as a redundant intelligence service and scaled back its funding; but to this day the DFS survives. The Pentagon's overseas spy service is a complimentary organization (some say potential rival) to the CIA and will deploy up to 500 undercover operatives to work alongside agents from the CIA and intelligence operatives from the special operations forces. The DFS agents receive the same training as CIA agents (at The Farm). Learn more about the DFS in "Pentagon's plans for a spy service to rival the CIA have been pared back", The Washington Post, November 1, 2014.

Fanged Deer of Nuristan

The province of Nuristan - located in northeastern Afghanistan - is home to the "fanged deer". Another name for this deer is the Kashmir musk deer. It was believed the deer was extinct but several sightings indicate that some of the species still exist - primarily in Nuristan. Read more in "Thought to be extinct, the fanged deer of Afghanistan lives on", Digital Journal, November 1, 2014.

VAMPIRE Tactical Forensic Device

Booz Allen Hamilton has released a video about its new VAMPIRE Tactical Forensic Device. It has applications for law enforcement, homeland security, and sensitive site exploitation. Watch a one minute long video about the VAMPIRE on YouTube.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzGQTBS2vlg

U.S. Praises China's Role in Afghanistan

The United States is saying nice things about China's increasing role in Afghanistan. Apparently the security interests of both nations (China and the U.S.) converge when talking about Afghanistan. The U.S. is pulling out and China is ready to reap the benefits of Afghanistan's rich mineral resources. Read more in "United States praises China's growing role in Afghanistan", Reuters, October 30, 2014.

Investigation into DCGS-A Called For

A Congressman from California is calling for an investigation into a Defense Department employee who made millions of dollars and miss-represented his academic achievements while working on the DCGS-A intelligence system. The complicated computer system has cost the Army over $5 billion and it has been described as "broke" and an "under performer". Read more in "Congressman Wants Probe of Former Army Official", ABC News, November 7, 2014.

Georgian Battalion Serves at Bagram

The 51st Battalion of the 5th Infantry Brigade of the Georgian Armed Forces is now stationed at Bagram Air Field (BAF) located just north of Kabul, Afghanistan. Read more in "Georgian battalion joins ISAF mission in Afghanistan", TREND, November 3, 2014. See also "1st Battalion, 320th FA Regiment transfers security of BAF to the Georgian 51st Light Infantry", DVIDS, November 3, 2014. The 51st Battalion will provide security for Bagram Air Field.

Video - Interview of UK SFAAT Team Leader

Major Bev Allen, a Security Force Assistance Advisory Team (SFAAT) commander from 1 Royal Anglian, explains about the work he does in Afghanistan in a 1 minute long video. Watch "My Job in Afghanistan: Advisory Team Commander", UK Defence Headquarters (posted on YouTube), June 13, 2012.

President Ghani Changes His Name

President Ghani has removed his tribal Pashtun name from all official documents. Read more in "Afghanistan's Ghani drops Pashtun name from official documents", Yahoo! News, October 30, 2014.

Daily Afghan News at 5:00 AM EST

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

Guest Bloggers Welcome

The Afghan War News Blog and the Afghan War News website are constantly striving to keep its blog, daily newsletter, and website factual, current, and relevant. If you have a link to a website or document you feel should be shared with the greater community then please send it to us. In addition,we are looking for individuals with some knowledge, experience, and expertise in Afghanistan on a wide range of topics to contribute articles to our blog and add content to our website. And naturally, if you see errors, outdated information, or broken links let us know.

staff@afghanwarnews.info

Pol-i-Charkhi Prison - "Incomplete Project"

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has released a report entitled Pol-i-Charkhi Prison: After 5 Years and $18.5 Million, Renovation Project Remains Incomplete, SIGAR 15-11 Inspection Report, October 2014. The Department of State paid the Al-Watan Construction Company (AWCC) $18.5 million for work performed on a contract (awarded in June 2009) valued at $20.2 million. Unfortunately AWCC only completed 50% of the required work. The prison was designed and built in 1973 for 5,000 inmates but currently houses about 7, 400 in crowded conditions. The State Department says that it will fix the problem with another $11 million to finish renovations and $5 million to remedy waste water disposal. Hopefully they will assign a state employee (with some contracting, accounting, and construction experience) who will provide proper oversight on the project. You can read or download the report at the link below off SIGAR's website:
www.sigar.mil/pdf/inspections/SIGAR-15-11-IP.pdf

CRU 222 and Gender Integration

Gender integration with the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is a big issue with ISAF. It seems that ISAF has been working toward this goal for a long time but only recently (my perspective) does it seem to be making headway. Perhaps (finally) we are using a little pressure and leverage (that would be withholding money, equipment, or assets) to facilitate gender integration. A good example of gender integration (and perhaps some behind the scenes leverage) is the newly acquired women's facility on Camp Lion. This former Norwegian Special Forces camp housed the Norwegian Special Operations Advisory Team and was handed over to the Afghan Ministry of Interior on October 12, 2014. Camp Lion is on the military side of the Kabul International Airport. It is home to Afghanistan's Critical Response Unit 222 (CRU 222) which is overseen by the Afghan General Command of Police Special Units (GCPSU). The agreement to turn the camp over included provisions for a women's facility (there is that leverage thing; you can have the camp but there must be a women's facility!). Read more in "Norway negotiates all-female facility at Camp Lion", ISAF News, November 2, 2014.

China and Iran: Cooperation on Afghanistan?

China and Iran both border Afghanistan; although China's border is a very short one located in a remote and mountainous region. Both countries wish to see a stable and secure Afghanistan. China sees great economic potential in Afghanistan's rich mineral resources and a stable Afghanistan allows China to invest and reap economic benefits. Iran would like to see the Taliban go away. However each country differs on their view of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. China would like to see us continue our hard work investing lives, time, energy and money in Afghanistan. Iran would like to see the United States influence subside so its influence can grow within Afghanistan. It is quite possible that the future will see greater cooperation between Iran and China on Afghanistan. Read more in "Could Iran and China Cut the US Out of Afghanistan?", The Diplomat, November 1, 2014.