Afghan War Blog

Friday, November 14, 2014

More Afghan War News Snippets

Raytheon has won a $175 million contract to support the Distributed Command Ground System and high-altitude ISR. The Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex contract will provide global services. Read more in "Raytheon wins $175 million DCGS-A contract", C4ISR & Networks, November 12, 2014.

A very revealing news article about the counterintelligence campaign waged by insurgents operating in Pakistan against informants who provide information for the targeting of drone strikes. It also provides some details on the Pakistan army and intelligence services alignment with the "Good Taliban". Read "Obama's Deadly Informants: The Drone Spotters of Pakistan", The Daily Beast, November 12, 2014.

Afghanistan's drug trade is a lucrative business. Read more in "Afghan Opium Production Soars", Voice of America, November 12, 2014. See also "Afghan Opium Cultivation Rises to Record Levels", The New York Times, November 12, 2014.

There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in Afghanistan. One of these is the Danish NGO DACAAR or Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees. Read more in "Danish NGO celebrates 30th anniversary", Thomson Reuters Foundation, November 13, 2014.

Life for a girl in Afghanistan is not always doom and gloom. Some actually learn to skateboard. See "Meet the skater girls of Afghanistan", PBS Newshour, November 12, 2014.

The 705th EOD Company, at one time deployed to RC East, was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for its service in Afghanistan. See "EOD company receives award for Afghanistan service", DVIDS, November 12, 2014.

The First Lady of Afghanistan, Rula Ghani, visited the Role 2 hospital at North Kabul International Airport (along with COMISAF). See news photo.

A photographer for the Fayetteville Observer provides insight on how he does his job in "Photographing Afghanistan by iPhone", CBS News, November 11, 2014.

Army downsizing plan reveals that the officer corps is cut with favoritism to West Point officers. If you are a former enlisted you are more likely to get the ax than a West Point graduate. Does that mean that a West Point officer is a better officer? Umm, not from what I have seen! Read more in "Cuts in Military Mean Job Losses for Career Staff", The New York Times, November 12, 2014.

The mineral wealth of Afghanistan holds great promise. See "Copper and lithium may be the keys to Afghanistan's economic future", The Conversation, November 12, 2014.

Corruption is a huge problem in Afghanistan. President Ghani (newly elected) has promised to reduce corruption. He is off to a good start. Read more in "Afghanistan court increases jail term for Kabul Bank executives", The Economic Times (India), November 11, 2014.

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

Get Afghan War News Early in the Morning!

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

Thursday, November 13, 2014

IMU - Alive and Well and Desirable

The Uzbeks from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) have acquired a reputation as experienced bomb makers in Afghanistan and in Pakistan's tribal areas. Since Uzbekistan has a high literacy rate they are able to read manuals on mixing explosives and constructing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). In addition, again the literacy thing, they can understand and utilize the Internet to provide propaganda on websites and through social media, exchange information (covertly), and gather intelligence (using OSINT or Open Source Intelligence techniques). While the IMU in northern and northeastern Afghanistan were hit hard in 'night raids' by the U.S. and ISAF special operations forces the past few years, the pressure has diminished a bit due to the draw down of conventional and SOF from Afghanistan. The ANA and ANP special operations units (ANASF, Commandos, CRU 222, PSUs, etc.) are capable but there are not enough of them and the ANSF intelligence structure is still in its infancy. Thus the IMU are starting to re-establish themselves once again. The members of the IMU are not only active in northern Afghanistan and western Pakistan; they are found as members of other insurgent groups in Central Asia. In addition, a significant number of Central Asians (members of IMU among them) can be found fighting with the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Read more in "Central Asia's Desirable Militants", Radio Free Europe, November 6, 2014.

Marine Commanders Reflect on Afghanistan

The Marines have departed Helmand province and the large, sprawling base known as Camp Leatherneck. With the departure there have been a number of news accounts where Marines have reflected on the victories, frustrations, and casualties. And more than a few are skeptical of the end result - especially to be seen a year or two from now. In the later part of the war the Marines stepped up their numbers in southwest Afghanistan (having departed Anbar province in Iraq). Read a detailed account of the Marines stay in southwest Afghanistan in "Marine commanders reflect on 13 years of war in Afghanistan", Marine Corps Times, November 5, 2014.

Video - NEB Training Up

The U.S. Navy Seabees are currently working with (train, advise, and assist or TAA) the Afghan National Army (ANA) National Engineer Brigade (NEB). The NEB was formed up earlier in 2014 as a national asset. View a short video (1 minute) with Gail McCabe reporting on the NEB entitled "U.S. and Afghan Forces Prepare for Operation Resolute Support", DoD News, November 5, 2014.

Turkey and Afghanistan Relations

The nation of Turkey has been a long time member of the Coalition in Afghanistan; having sent troops at the very beginning of the conflict. In late 2001 (or perhaps it was early 2002) the first Turkish Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) was established in Jawzjan. The Turks have had a strong presence in northern Afghanistan and also in the capital region (Kabul).

On the diplomatic front Turkey has been leading annual consultation sessions between Afghanistan and Pakistan to encourage the two countries to root out extremism and terrorism as well as to improve their political and security relationships. (Not a lot of progress on that front considering Pakistan supports the Taliban). The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, recently paid a visit to the newly elected President Ghani, his Vice-President Abdul Rashid Dostrum, and the Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah.

Read more in "Turkey, Afghanistan determined to deepen relations", Central Asia Online, November 5, 2014.

Ghani to Visit Pakistan

President Ghani will soon visit Pakistan. There is optimism that his trip will garner some cooperation from Pakistan on a number of issues. The most important obstacle to good relations between the two countries is the Pakistan intelligence service's active support of several Taliban insurgent groups that have sanctuary in Pakistan and attack targets in Afghanistan. The multidimensional agenda for the visit includes the topics of security, economic cooperation, trade, and investment. Read more in "Optimism Ahead of Afghan Leader's Visit to Islamabad", Voice of America, November 12, 2014.

COMISAF: The Way Forward

General Campbell (COMISAF) is interviewed by National Public Radio and provides his thoughts about the future of Afghanistan in "Afghanistan's Way Foward: A Talk with Gen. John Campbell, Decoded", National Public Radio (NPR), November 11, 2014. (link goes to audio and transcript).

Update and Analysis on Afghan Government

A commentator provides us with an update and analysis on how well the new Afghan government is doing and identifies challenges it is facing over the short and long-term. Jason Campbell is an associate policy analyst with the RAND Corporation in Washington, D.C. and just completed a NATO-sponsored trip to Afghanistan that featured meetings with senior NATO and Afghan officials, members of Parliament, and others. Read his report in "What's the Plan? The Afghan Government", War on the Rocks, November 10, 2014.

Under-Vehicle Threat Protection System

The use of IEDs along and underneath roadways in Afghanistan (and Iraq) has caused many casualties; even with vehicles with armor plating on the sides and underneath. Many injuries occur when the vehicles and their passengers are tossed up and slammed down by a blast. Read about new technology that may prevent those types of injuries in "US Army Evaluating Under-Vehicle Threat Protection System", Defense News, November 4, 2014.

Videos of Green Berets Firing Weapons

Some cool pictures / videos of Green Berets firing different types of weapons (in full speed and slow motion). See "Here's What a Rocket-Propelled Grenade Looks Like in Extreme Slow Motion", Business Insider, November 4, 2014.

Ghani Name Change Important Gesture

Afghanistan's new president, Ashraf Ghani, has dropped the use of his "tribal name" for official purposes. This small but important gesture casts a vote in favor of national identity over tribal identity. Learn more in "Afghanistan's New President Just Made a Small But Significant Gesture", The Diplomat, by Ankit Panda, November 4, 2014.

War Gear Missing in Afghanistan

According to the Pentagon's inspector general there is a lot of unaccounted gear missing from the 13 year long war in Afghanistan. Read more in "Army Slow to Investigate War Gear Missing in Afghanistan", Bloomberg, November 4, 2014.

More Daily News Snippets

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has released a statement about Afghan malnutrition. See "Afghan malnutrition - the search for solutions" (November 11, 2014).

Supposedly the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) - also called the Islamic State - has plans for Pakistan. Read "ISIS Has Master Plan for Pakistan, Secret Memo Warns", NBC News, November 12, 2014.

Only one interpreter who helped British forces has been allowed to move to the UK. Afghan interpreters and translators have had a hard time immigrating to the home countries of the coalition members that used their services in Afghanistan. See a news article in the Daily Mail (12 Nov 14).

A British commentator provides his thoughts on the UK participating in the Afghan War in "Afghan War inquiry: generals owe us an explanation", The Week (UK), November 11, 2014.

People from India are wondering what will happen to the huge base in Helmand province and worry about who will ultimately control Helmand province now that the ISAF coalition has departed. See "Will Afghan flag soar at Camp Bastion?", Deccan Chronicle, November 12, 2014.

There are multiple reports that the Afghan government has not paid many of its police - especially the Afghan Local Police or ALP. Read more in "Afghan Police Turn to Opium as $6-a-Day Salaries Delayed", Bloomberg Businessweek, November 11, 2014.

DVIDS has posted a news release about how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has relocated its Gardez offices that oversaw projects in the 203rd ANA Corps area. The Gardez Resident Office was located at FOB Lightning in Paktya province in the southern part of Regional Command East (now called Train Advise and Assist East). The relocation to FOB Gamberi was needed because (for some inexplicable reason) ISAF decided to pull its advisors from the 203rd Corps. Perhaps the 203rd had won the counterinsurgency fight in the provinces it was responsible for? (Not).

Norway Thanked by Hagel

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called the Norwegian Defense Minister on the phone to thank her for the contributions of Norway over the past 13 years in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. In addition, Norway will contribute approximately 75 trainers and logisticians and other specialized experts to the Resolute Support mission to begin in Afghanistan in January 2015. Read more in "Hagel Thanks Norway's Defense Minister for Mission Contributions", DoD News, November 5, 2014.

Guest Bloggers Welcome

Daily Afghan news at 5:00 am EST

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Istanbul Ministerial Process Needs Boost

In late October 2014 China hosted the "Heart of Asia" ministerial conference in the framework of the "Istanbul Process". Started in 2011, the Istanbul Process is a multilateral vehicle led by Afghanistan with the objective to facilitate Afghanistan's reconstruction and security through inter-regional collaboration. The forum places Afghanistan at the center of the discussions providing a venue for advancing its needs and concerns. The Istanbul Process provides an avenue for continuous and effective dialogue within the region and emphasizes the importance of regional organizations. However, the process is having some difficulties.

Read more in "Afghanistan - The Istanbul Process in urgent need of more devotion: expert comment", Swedish Wire, November 4, 2014.

More info on the Istanbul Process is available at:

"Istanbul Process", by Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_Process

"Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process", Afghan Government
www.heartofasia-istanbulprocess.af

"Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process", Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/HeartofAsia.ip

"U.S. Support for the Istanbul Process", U.S. Department of State
www.state.gov/p/sca/rls/fs/2013/208560.htm

"Istanbul Process", Afghan War News
www.afghanwarnews.info/development/istanbul-process.htm

USAID "Promote"

Photo: USAID

USAID is bankrolling $216 million to fund their "Promote" program. Promote is a joint commitment by the U.S. and Afghan Governments that will work to empower 75,000 women between the ages of 18-30 and help ensure these women are included among a new generation of political, business, and civil society leaders. Promote will ensure that women in Afghanistan will have the skills, experience, knowledge, and networks to succeed alongside their male counterparts. The program consists of four components - leadership development, women in government, women in the economy, and women's rights groups and coalitions. View a USAID "Fact Sheet" on Promoting Gender Equity in National Priority Programs (Promote), November 2014. There is also a "Fact Sheet" in Dari and Pashto here. See a webpage by USAID on gender equity in national priority programs. Catherine M. Russell, the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues (State) has provided a video (10 Nov 14) with remarks about the launch of the USAID Promote program in Kabul.

UK Remembers the Fallen

The United Kingdom military forces held remembrance services in Afghanistan to remember the fallen from the Afghan War and previous conflicts. Read more in "British Forces in Afghanistan Remember the Fallen", UK Forces TV, November 10, 2014. (print and video).

Attacks Against Police Continue

The insurgents continue to attack the Afghan police. One of the favorite types of attack is the use of suicide bombers - a tactic very difficult to defeat; especially in an urban setting. Read more in "Attacks on Afghan police challenge security environment", UPI, November 10, 2104.

OEF Lessons Learned Ignored

The United States spent some 13 years in Afghanistan. Units deployed to and from Afghanistan on one-year rotations. Many personnel in those units served previously on Afghan tours; but some didn't. It is not readily apparent that the lessons learned were sufficiently captured and read by units and personnel during their pre-deployment training. Read more on this topic in "How the Limited Use of Lessons Learned Failed to Form a Cohesive Strategy in Operation Enduring Freedom", Small Wars Journal, by Joel Lawton, November 4, 2014.

Report - Women and Peace Building in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is one of four Oxfam country programs delivering Within and Without the State (WWS) program. It is funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) from 2011 to 2016 under the Conflict, Humanitarian and Security Programme Partnership Arrangement (CHASE PPA). WWS is piloting innovation approaches to working with civil society to promote more accountable governance in conflict-affected and fragile contexts. The paper shares the program learning within Oxfam and the wider development community. In Afghanistan, WWS has been working to build the capacity of civil society and to promote the participation of women, youth, and other marginalized groups in the peace process. Essential to this is the ability of women to engage with power-holders to share their views of what peace means to them and to influence change at the community, district, provincial, and national levels. Read Women and Inclusive Peace Building in Afghanistan, Oxfam Programme Insights, October 2014.

Words Soldiers Use

The military has its own vocabulary. This is especially true of the U.S. Army. Read more in "Seven words and phrases used by soldiers that we could all learn from", PRI, October 30, 2014. See also Afghan War Glossary.

Chronic Insomnia Among Afghan War Veterans

A new medical study has determined that Iraq and Afghan war veterans from the Army had the highest rate of chronic insomnia among the armed services over a long decade of war. Personnel with chronic insomnia were more likely to have high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. 41 per cent of returning veterans from combat zones reported problems sleeping. The results of the study were published in a recent issue of the Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. The highest incidents were among those who served in infantry, artillery, armor, and motor transport. With the prevalence of IEDs along the roadways for Iraq and Afghanistan it is understandable that 'motor transport' would have similar rates as the traditional combat arms. Read more in "Soldiers lost a lot of sleep in Iraq, Afghanistan", San Antonio Express News, November 4, 2014.

Nagl Interview - Drinking Beer Thru a Straw

John Nagl (West Point graduate, Rhodes Scholar, author, COIN expert, combat veteran, think tank president, Naval Academy professor, school headmaster, and co-author of FM 3-24) is interviewed about his new book Knife Fights: A Memoir of Modern War in Theory and Practice. Nagl is asked and answers "20 Questions". Some of his comments are:

COIN: "Counterinsurgency can't be dead as long as insurgency is alive and well - and it is, and is likely to be for some time".

Iraq: "Defeating the Islamic State in Iraq is actually not very difficult; we should dramatically increase the number of combat advisors we have supporting the Iraqi Army and allow them to embed inside Iraqi battalions".

RAF or Advisor Corps: "Regionally Aligned Forces are a poor man's Advisor Corps, but they're better than nothing".

Afghanistan: "Saving Afghanistan is relatively easy. We need to station some 20,000 advisors there, supported by air power and intelligence and logistics assets, to put spine in the Afghan forces and help keep the Taliban at bay".

https://medium.com/@Doctrine_Man/learning-to-drink-beer-with-a-straw-93308b1649d6

Iraq - A Lesson for Afghanistan

A recent editorial looks at the current situation in Iraq and draws some conclusions and recommendations for how quickly we depart from Afghanistan. Read more in "Iraq offers cautionary tale for US withdrawal from Afghanistan", The Boston Globe, November 2, 2014.

China Plans $16 Billion Fund of New Silk Road

In an endeavor which will surely impact Afghanistan, China is committing over $16 billion dollars to finance construction of infrastructure linking its markets to three continents utilizing a re-established "New Silk Road". The fund will be used to build and expand railways, roads, and pipelines in Chinese provinces that are part of the overall plan to facilitate trade over land and shipping routes. The land route will travel over parts of Central Asia and will will help Afghanistan in direct and indirect ways. The old Silk Road was a trade route (think camels) that went from China (and some say India) to Venice (Afghanistan was one of the way points). Xinjiang province, in western China, will have a prominent role to play in the new economic belt and New Silk Road. Read more in "China planning $16.3 Billion Fund for 'New Silk Road'", Bloomberg News, November 4, 2014.

More News Snippets

Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is looking for a new UAV (C4ISR & Networks, 10 Nov 14). The Army and SOCOM is searching for cheaper and lighter shoulder-fired weapons (NDIA, 10 Nov 14). Troops from Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, and Italy are departing Afghanistan (Khaama Press, 11 Nov 14). A new book out called Why We Lost is a 3-star general's account of how we messed up in Iraq and Afghanistan; see a book review (NPR, 9 Nov 14).

Social Media in Afghanistan

The use of technology and telecommunications in Afghanistan is one of the bright shining stars that holds great potential for the country. Social media is a big part of this; especially in an age where most of the Afghan population is under 30 years old. Read more in "A Look at Digital Afghanistan", The Huffington Post, November 4, 2014.

Endgame in Afghanistan - Risk Management?

A commentator provides his thoughts on what the U.S. has accomplished in Afghanistan (and Iraq) after years of fighting. Read "The American Endgame in Iraq and Afghanistan: Euphemism for Risk Management?", Small Wars Journal, by Ilwoo Lee, November 4, 2014. Mr. Ilwoo Lee is an Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore. He has a Master's degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and is a former officer in the U.S. Army.

Reflections on End of Helmand Campaign

A writer who spent some time in Helmand province as a member of a Human Terrain Team (HTT) reflects on the departure from Helmand province by the Marines and other ISAF partners. Read "Sorrow, Memory and the End of the Helmand Campaign", by Ryan Evans, War on the Rocks, November 4, 2014.

Guest Bloggers Welcome

Daily News on Afghan War

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

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.

Monday, November 10, 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.