Thursday, April 16, 2015
Afghan News with Your Morning Coffee
You can receive the Afghan War News Daily Newsletter each day. It should arrive in your e-mail inbox at 5:00 a.m. U.S. East coast time or just after lunch (1330) in Kabul. It is easy to subscribe. To submit your subscription request go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and enter your email in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box at the top of the right hand column. The only info needed is your email. No personal data, forms to fill out, or passwords needed. You will receive a confirmation email asking you if you want to subscribe. Just confirm and you are done. It is also easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Guide - "Civil-Military-Police Language Guide"
This publication - a language guide for those personnel working in conflict zones provided by the Australian Civil-Military Centre - is ideal for those working in the military, police, humanitarian, or development sectors in Afghanistan. There are many different 'cultures' in Afghanistan. The first and most obvious is the Afghan culture. But also important are the differing cultures within the international community working in Afghanistan - from the military of Resolute Support, the police trainers of EUPOL, or the many humanitarian workers belonging to the hundreds of international organizations working in the development, government, and humanitarian sectors. The document is 80 pages long and worth taking a look at. An abstract from the introduction is provided below.
www.acmc.gov.au/civil-military-police-language-guide/
"The civil-military-police community is as diverse as it is broad. It contains a wide range of actors who employ varying methodologies, use a variety of techniques, utilize unique equipment and often pursue different objectives in service of different masters. Diversity is a strength of the civil-military-police domain, although a common understanding is require between community members to realize that strength. The range of different terminology employed across the civil-military-police community can make it difficult to form a common understanding. Strategic level decision making should be driven by shared information and understandings. A Civil-Military-Police Language Guide can help ensure that information sourced from the operational level is precise, consistent and unambiguous. The demand for these qualities increase during crises.""Civil-Military-Police Language Guide", Australian Civil-Military Centre, March 26, 2015.
www.acmc.gov.au/civil-military-police-language-guide/
Afghan Air Force - Still Not Big Enough
General Karimi, Afghan Army Chief of Staff, says that the ANSF needs more air support - Currently there are only four Mi-35 Attack Helicopters operating (flying) in the Afghan Air Force (AAF) - two for the northern regions and two for the southern regions. The AAF recently received six MD-530 helicopters armed with weaponry but they are still in the fielding phase - not yet committed to the fight. In addition some Mi-17s, a transport helicopter not really suited to ground attack, are armed with machine guns. The fielding of the twenty A-29 Super Tucanos is still many months away. So for fire support the ANA must depend on their D-30 122mm Howitzers and the limited air support that Resolute Support headquarters can provide. One aspect of the current fighting is that the Taliban can now mass for large-scale attacks against small outposts and combat bases. In previous fighting seasons these large formations of 200 plus insurgent fighters would have been pounded by Coalition air strikes. Not so much now.
Afghan War News Snippets
Badakhshan Woes. The recent fighting in this northeastern province of Afghanistan resulted in some heavy casualties for the ANSF. Some Twitter accounts say that up to 28 army soldiers were beheaded; other reports say only 8.. There are concerns that "Daesh" is working with other insurgent groups in the province. There is a criminal element involved in the provincial fighting as the province has gem mines that provide revenue and the province also serves as a transit route for drug trafficking. General Sher Mohammad Karimi, Chief of Army Staff, says that "issues in leadership" was the main cause of the casualties according to a Khaama Press news report. (Khaama Press, April 14, 2015). Read more on this topic (Badakhshan) in a news report by Reuters (April 13, 2015).
Fighting Season Begins. Usually the Taliban will officially announce the beginning of the fighting season - giving it some glorious name to inspire the rank and file. Sometimes they put an actual date to the beginning. I am not sure if they have done that yet but by my observation it seems the fighting season has already begun - irregardless of whether the snow has melted in the mountain passes.
Foreign Fighters Helping the Taliban. Sudarsan Raghavan, the bureau chief in Kabul for The Washington Post says "Foreign Fighters are spilling into Afghanistan, helping the Taliban" (April 14, 2015).
Long Flight Home for Contractors. Anyone familiar with the Dubai-Dulles or Dubai-Atlanta flights will appreciate this article - "Airplane Seat Swapping Turns Rough-and-Tumble", The New York Times, April 13, 2015.
Kill or Capture. In times gone by the typical mission statement for some SOF units contained the words "kill or capture". If you could capture a mid- to high-level insurgent you could possibly gain some valuable intelligence - killing sometimes made that difficult. In the counter terrorism world capturing is preferred but it appears that the killing methodology (using drones) has taken priority. Read more in an news report in Foreign Policy by Micah Zenko (April 14, 2015).
MD 530F Helicopters. IHS Jane's 360 provides us with a brief description and pictures of the MD 530F helos recently field to the Afghan Air Force. View the news report (April 12, 2015).
Afghan Army to be Tested. Joseph Goldstein writes that the Afghan army will have an intense fighting season in 2015. He says this past winter there was an increased fighting level than past winter seasons. Read his column in "Afghan Army is Tested by the Taliban as Fighting Season Begins", The New York Times, April 13, 2015.
Two ANP Killed in Takhar. According to Tolo News two policemen were killed by the Taliban in Takhar.
TAAC North advises RMIC. The Regional Media Information Center (RMIC) located in the 209th Corps area of responsibility (northern Afghanistan) is a collaboration between TAAC North, public affairs officers of the ANSF, and the local media. Strategic Communications is one of the 8 Essential Functions that Resolute Support advisors are working in to improve the capability of the ANSF. Read more on this topic in a RSM Facebook posting and visit the website of the RMIC. Sounds like the Europeans have got it going on in the old Regional Command North AO. I wonder if TAAC East, South, and West are working with similar organizations in their area of operations?
Fighting Season Begins. Usually the Taliban will officially announce the beginning of the fighting season - giving it some glorious name to inspire the rank and file. Sometimes they put an actual date to the beginning. I am not sure if they have done that yet but by my observation it seems the fighting season has already begun - irregardless of whether the snow has melted in the mountain passes.
Foreign Fighters Helping the Taliban. Sudarsan Raghavan, the bureau chief in Kabul for The Washington Post says "Foreign Fighters are spilling into Afghanistan, helping the Taliban" (April 14, 2015).
Long Flight Home for Contractors. Anyone familiar with the Dubai-Dulles or Dubai-Atlanta flights will appreciate this article - "Airplane Seat Swapping Turns Rough-and-Tumble", The New York Times, April 13, 2015.
Kill or Capture. In times gone by the typical mission statement for some SOF units contained the words "kill or capture". If you could capture a mid- to high-level insurgent you could possibly gain some valuable intelligence - killing sometimes made that difficult. In the counter terrorism world capturing is preferred but it appears that the killing methodology (using drones) has taken priority. Read more in an news report in Foreign Policy by Micah Zenko (April 14, 2015).
MD 530F Helicopters. IHS Jane's 360 provides us with a brief description and pictures of the MD 530F helos recently field to the Afghan Air Force. View the news report (April 12, 2015).
Afghan Army to be Tested. Joseph Goldstein writes that the Afghan army will have an intense fighting season in 2015. He says this past winter there was an increased fighting level than past winter seasons. Read his column in "Afghan Army is Tested by the Taliban as Fighting Season Begins", The New York Times, April 13, 2015.
Two ANP Killed in Takhar. According to Tolo News two policemen were killed by the Taliban in Takhar.
TAAC North advises RMIC. The Regional Media Information Center (RMIC) located in the 209th Corps area of responsibility (northern Afghanistan) is a collaboration between TAAC North, public affairs officers of the ANSF, and the local media. Strategic Communications is one of the 8 Essential Functions that Resolute Support advisors are working in to improve the capability of the ANSF. Read more on this topic in a RSM Facebook posting and visit the website of the RMIC. Sounds like the Europeans have got it going on in the old Regional Command North AO. I wonder if TAAC East, South, and West are working with similar organizations in their area of operations?
9 Abducted Civilians Released. According to Pajhwok Afghan News nine civilians abducted by the Taliban in Sar-i-Pul province two weeks again have been released as a result of negotiations with local leaders.
Two Killed in Kabul. According to Pajhwok News two civilians were killed by armed men in police district 11 of Kabul on Tuesday morning (Apr 14).
Cabinet Nominees. Five cabinet nominees addressed Afghanistan's lower house of parliament on Monday. They got the opportunity to present their proposed agendas. The parliament will need to approve their nominations.
MCSCG Deploys to Republic of Georgia. The Marines and troops of Georgia have a long-standing close partnership that pays off in dividends. The program puts Marines into Georgia to train up with Georgian Army units that are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan. Then, the Georgian units deploy into Afghanistan with U.S. Marines. Read more in a news report by Marines.mil (April 14, 2105).
Bergdahl. The opinion pages of The New York Times seems to think that there is "No Need to Prosecute Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl", March 26, 2015. Hmmmm.
Is Russian Hyping the IS Threat in Central Asia. There is lots of concern by the Central Asian states to the north of Afghanistan that the conflict in Afghanistan will spill over the border into the their territories. Some dismiss the Islamic State threat and say that the situation is being exaggerated. Others are accusing Russia of hyping the IS threat so they can put more pressure (military, economic, political, etc.) onto countries in the region to counter inroads by China and western nations. Read more in "Islamist Threat: Why is Russia Scaring Turkmenistan?", Qishlog Ovozi Blog - Radio Free Europe, April 14, 2015.
NUG Stalled. The National Unity Government (NUG) of Afghanistan is not so united. The Afghan government is in a holding pattern while the two competing camps (Ghani and Abdullah) fight over the appointments of ministers, governors and other government officials.
Karzai Engaged. Former President Karzai is still engaged in the political world of Afghanistan. He recently met with district administrators, police chiefs and other leaders from two southern provinces.
Air Quality in Kabul? Not very good. Of course, you just have to breath or smell the air to know that. CNN has a news report on the air quality of the five worst capitals in the world. Did Kabul make the top five? Of course. Read the news report in CNN, April 13, 2015.
Minister of Defense Wanted. The job of Minister of Defense is still vacant. Two nominees have been presented to the Afghan parliament. The first, General Karimi - Chief of the Army Staff - would have been an excellent choice according to many informed observers but was rejected by parliament. The second nominee withdrew his name after determining he was a disputed choice. Hopefully Ghani and Abdullah can come to some agreement soon as the 2015 fighting season now here.
Women Attending U.S. Army Ranger School. Dan Lamothe writes in The Washington Post (April 13, 2015) of the progress the U.S. Army is making in selecting women to attend Ranger School.
Two Killed in Kabul. According to Pajhwok News two civilians were killed by armed men in police district 11 of Kabul on Tuesday morning (Apr 14).
Cabinet Nominees. Five cabinet nominees addressed Afghanistan's lower house of parliament on Monday. They got the opportunity to present their proposed agendas. The parliament will need to approve their nominations.
MCSCG Deploys to Republic of Georgia. The Marines and troops of Georgia have a long-standing close partnership that pays off in dividends. The program puts Marines into Georgia to train up with Georgian Army units that are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan. Then, the Georgian units deploy into Afghanistan with U.S. Marines. Read more in a news report by Marines.mil (April 14, 2105).
Bergdahl. The opinion pages of The New York Times seems to think that there is "No Need to Prosecute Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl", March 26, 2015. Hmmmm.
Is Russian Hyping the IS Threat in Central Asia. There is lots of concern by the Central Asian states to the north of Afghanistan that the conflict in Afghanistan will spill over the border into the their territories. Some dismiss the Islamic State threat and say that the situation is being exaggerated. Others are accusing Russia of hyping the IS threat so they can put more pressure (military, economic, political, etc.) onto countries in the region to counter inroads by China and western nations. Read more in "Islamist Threat: Why is Russia Scaring Turkmenistan?", Qishlog Ovozi Blog - Radio Free Europe, April 14, 2015.
NUG Stalled. The National Unity Government (NUG) of Afghanistan is not so united. The Afghan government is in a holding pattern while the two competing camps (Ghani and Abdullah) fight over the appointments of ministers, governors and other government officials.
Karzai Engaged. Former President Karzai is still engaged in the political world of Afghanistan. He recently met with district administrators, police chiefs and other leaders from two southern provinces.
Air Quality in Kabul? Not very good. Of course, you just have to breath or smell the air to know that. CNN has a news report on the air quality of the five worst capitals in the world. Did Kabul make the top five? Of course. Read the news report in CNN, April 13, 2015.
Minister of Defense Wanted. The job of Minister of Defense is still vacant. Two nominees have been presented to the Afghan parliament. The first, General Karimi - Chief of the Army Staff - would have been an excellent choice according to many informed observers but was rejected by parliament. The second nominee withdrew his name after determining he was a disputed choice. Hopefully Ghani and Abdullah can come to some agreement soon as the 2015 fighting season now here.
Women Attending U.S. Army Ranger School. Dan Lamothe writes in The Washington Post (April 13, 2015) of the progress the U.S. Army is making in selecting women to attend Ranger School.
Guest Bloggers - Apply Here!
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 blog posts and articles to our blog and add content to our website. Frequency of submission is up to you. If you wrote a paper on a relevant topic and would like to share it send it to us for posting on the blog and website. And naturally, if you see errors, outdated information, or broken links please let us know.
staff@afghanwarnews.info
staff@afghanwarnews.info
Subscribe to AWN Daily Newsletter
You can receive the Afghan War News Daily Newsletter each day. It should arrive in your e-mail inbox at 5:00 a.m. U.S. East coast time or just after lunch (1330) in Kabul. It is easy to subscribe. To submit your subscription request go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and enter your email in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box at the top of the right hand column. The only info needed is your email. No personal data, forms to fill out, or passwords needed. You will receive a confirmation email asking you if you want to subscribe. Just confirm and you are done. It is also easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Balkh PGov: Strongman of North Afghanistan
Governor Atta Mohammad Noor, the Provincial Governor (PGov) of Balkh province has been in his position for over ten years when he was first appointed by President Karzai. Atta is a former school teacher, turned mujahedeen fighter, turned warlord, and now governor. He has many supporters who say he has brought economic prosperity and security to Balkh province and the large city of Mazar-e Sharif. His critics say that political freedom is at a minimum, he is corrupt, manages a massive criminal patronage network, is suspected of human rights abuses, has his own private militias, and is just a powerful warlord appointed to a governorship. The international Coalition, in the past Regional Command North or RC-North, and now Train Advise, Assist Command - North (TAAC North) recognize the governor for who he is - a rich, powerful, influential governor with a firm grasp of the political, economic, criminal, and security environment. I spent many months at Camp Marmel (where the regional command for ISAF was headquartered) and it was apparent that the most powerful figure in northern Afghanistan was Noor. His information (intelligence network) is widespread and effective and he has good control over the police in his province. Read more in "Afghanistan's defining fight: Technocrats vs. strongmen", The Washington Post, April 12, 2015.
Paper - "IO and Human Domain"
The Center for Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups of the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhodes Island has published a new paper on "Influence Operations and the Human Domain" by Thomas M. Scanzillo and Edward M. Lopaceinski. The authors use the example of the Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines (JSOTF-P) as a way of showing how Influence Operations can be used in an irregular warfare situation.
Influence Operations and the Human Domain
Influence Operations and the Human Domain
ATP 3-39.20 Police Intelligence Operations
Headquarters, Department of the Army has released Police Intelligence Operations, ATP 3-39.20, April 2015. This manual could be valuable to those advisors who are working with the Afghan National Police, the National Directorate of Security, Operational Coordination Center (OCCs), or the various intelligence agencies of the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Defense.
Chapters:
Police Intelligence Foundation
Integration into the Operations Process
Police Information Sources
Police Information Analysis
Production and Dissemination
Some of the content includes info on incident maps, link analysis, association matrix, time-event charts, targeting methodology, source reliability code, and more. The manual, an Adobe Acrobat PDF, can be read online or downloaded from the Army's publication portal.
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/atp3_39x20.pdf
Other manuals, papers, reports, and publications about police intelligence that may be useful to the police advisor in Afghanistan can be found at the website link below.
www.specialforcestraining.info/intel/le-police-intelligence-pubs.htm
Chapters:
Police Intelligence Foundation
Integration into the Operations Process
Police Information Sources
Police Information Analysis
Production and Dissemination
Some of the content includes info on incident maps, link analysis, association matrix, time-event charts, targeting methodology, source reliability code, and more. The manual, an Adobe Acrobat PDF, can be read online or downloaded from the Army's publication portal.
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/atp3_39x20.pdf
Other manuals, papers, reports, and publications about police intelligence that may be useful to the police advisor in Afghanistan can be found at the website link below.
www.specialforcestraining.info/intel/le-police-intelligence-pubs.htm
CSIS Gender Equality Webcast (Apr 20, 2015)
The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) will be hosting a panel discussion on "Advancing Global Gender Equality" on Monday, April 20, 2015. The event will take place at CSIS in Washington, D.C. but can also be viewed online as well. The panel is moderated and hosted by Bob Schieffer (Chief Washington Correspondent for CBS News) and panelists include Catherine Russel (Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, U.S. Department of State), Carrie Hessler-Radelet (Director, U.S. Peace Corps), and Dr. Sarah E. Mendelson (Senior Advisor and Director, CSIS Human Rights Initiative). I am certain that the webcast will touch on gender issues in Afghanistan (how could they not?).
Monday, April 20, 2015, 4:45 PM - 6:30 PM EST. Register for webcast online at link below.
http://my.csis.org/csis/CSIS1700/CSISEventRegistration.aspx?eventcode=2015_149
Monday, April 20, 2015, 4:45 PM - 6:30 PM EST. Register for webcast online at link below.
http://my.csis.org/csis/CSIS1700/CSISEventRegistration.aspx?eventcode=2015_149
Afghan War News Snippets
Clashes Pickup. Reports indicate that clashes between insurgents and government forces have risen in the past few days to include incidents in Kapisa and Badakhshan provinces. Some reports say that eight ANA soldiers were beheaded in Badakhshan. The government spokesmen for the MoD and MoI are painting the recent clash in Badakhshan as a victory for the ANSF. However, it could be there is some spin going on there (of course). The Afghan Lower House of Representatives have summoned the Afghan National Security Advisor for some questioning on the northern province. (CBS News, Apr 13, 2015).
SOCOM Needs Drone Contractors for Afghanistan. The United States Special Operations Command based in Tampa, Florida is seeking contracting firms to run drone operations (pilots, maintenance, engineering) in six countries around the world - including Afghanistan. The Request for Proposal (RFP) says the contract will be for the purposes of gathering intelligence and conducting surveillance and reconnaissance. The contract, Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations and Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Support (MEUAS III) is for LoS and BLoS operations. Read more in a news report by Defense World, April 13, 2015.
Afghan Commandos Visit Texas. The members of the ten Afghan Commando Kandaks are among the best fighters in the Afghan National Army. They suffer casualties - killed and wounded - quite frequently. Many of the wounded lose limbs and adjustment to that situation is quite difficult in a poor country like Afghanistan. Some wounded Afghan Commandos are learning how to adjust to their new situation in Texas. Learn more in "Afghan amputees tell their stories at Texas gathering", Fayetteville Observer, April 12, 2015.
Australia Aids Girls Schools. Read some news about how Australia is helping to increase the number of girls who return to school in a news report by SBS.com, April 9, 2015.
"First Kill". A retired infantryman (COL Keith Nightingale) writes about killing in combat. Read his story in "First Kill" posted on Small Wars Journal, April 3, 2015.
For Some U.S. Families the War is not Over. Read "War in Afghanistan Continues for Families of Fallen U.S. Soldiers", NBC Nightly News, April 13, 2015.
Does Mullah Omar Still Matter? Michael Kugelman, writing in War on the Rocks (Apr 13, 2015) says that the religious leader and head of the Taliban is seeing some of his power and influence erode away. For instance, one group of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) has recently declared its allegiance to the Islamic State. Read Kugelman's news article to see what he has to say about Mullah Omar.
Canadian Visit by Ghani Nixed. President Ghani, and his 75-man party, was planning on visiting Canada in conjunction with his U.S. tour. However, Canada didn't fully embrace the idea. Read more in "Visit of New Afghan President to Canada Quietly Scrubbed Amid Iraq Debate", Huffington Post, April 12, 2015.
U.S. Accounting Professor Helps Out in Afghanistan. Karen Tower of Ivy Tech Richmond spent two weeks in Afghanistan helping out a community college in preparing for international accreditation. (Pal-Item, Apr 12, 2015).
Military Meals and Celebrity Chef. Could we be seeing an improvement in Army cuisine? Celebrity chef Padma Lakshmi is joining forces with the Pentagon to develop a spinoff of the "Top Chef" show featuring military meals. I do miss my C-ration Beans and Franks. Can we bring pound cake back? (Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2015).
Missing IJC's (KAIA) Fancy Cuisine. As the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan down-sizes the footprint diminishes as well. One of the units to shut down was the ISAF Joint Command or IJC based at Kabul International Airport. And one unfortunate result of the unit closing was the shuttering of the doors of the many small restaurants on the airbase (I have passed through KAIA many times; the Thai restaurant was my favorite). A past article by Dufflel Blog (Oct 13) provides us more info on the culinary delights found on KAIA. (caution - humor zone).
U.S. Still at War in Afghanistan. The top Pentagon lawyer says that the United States is still in 'armed conflict' in Afghanistan. Glad he clarified that! Read more in a news report by The Hill Blog, April 13, 2015.
Publish Your Paper
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 blog posts and articles to our blog and add content to our website. If you wrote a paper on a relevant topic and would like to share it send it to us for posting on the blog and website. And naturally, if you see errors, outdated information, or broken links please let us know.
staff@afghanwarnews.info
staff@afghanwarnews.info
Subscribe to Afghan Daily Newsletter
You can receive the Afghan War News Daily Newsletter each day. It should arrive in your e-mail inbox at 5:00 a.m. U.S. East coast time or just after lunch (1330) in Kabul. It is easy to subscribe. To submit your subscription request go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and enter your email in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box at the top of the right hand column. The only info needed is your email. No personal data, forms to fill out, or passwords needed. You will receive a confirmation email asking you if you want to subscribe. Just confirm and you are done. It is also easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.
Monday, April 13, 2015
New Zealand Mandate
New Zealand Mandate Decision. The island country of New Zealand has been active in Afghanistan for more than a decade and they officially ended operations recently. New Zealand was one of the first nations to commit their SOF units - the New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS). I can remember them doing their 'long-range desert patrols' in desert mobility vehicles for six weeks at a time in western Afghanistan in 2002 - getting resupplied with ammo, water, and fuel by helicopter every few days. At that time the closest friendly forces were a Special Forces A-team (12-man detachment) in Zaranj and Herat and some conventional forces at Kanadahar. It was an austere environment during that period. The nearest MEDEVAC helicopter would come from Kandahar using CSAR birds - but only if an airborne refueler could meet the chopper on the return leg. Then, because medical care was limited at KAF, a seriously injured patient would be transloaded off the chopper onto a C-130 to fly to BAF where a surgical unit was located. Some NZSAS MEDEVACs took more than 14 hours. There was no "Golden Hour" back then. The New Zealanders were also very involved in governance and development projects including the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Bamyan province. At this time the Kiwis have some military personnel working at the Afghanistan National Army Training Academy in Kabul. The New Zealand government is expected to make a decision soon on whether to continue the Afghan mission. (Radio New Zealand, April 10, 2015).
Jan - Mar 2015 Record High CIVCAS
The latest report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) shows a continued high rate of civilian casualties for 2015. The main cause is ground engagements. The figures from the first quarter of 2015 is not a good sign of the civilian casualties (CIVCAS) projected to occur during the 2015 fighting season (which is probably just kicking off now). In the first three months of 2015 civilian casualties rose by eight per cent compared to the same period in 2014. Ground fighting between Pro-Government Forces and Anti-Government Elements (UN terminology) caused 521 civilian casualties. Read the UNANA news release (April 12, 2015).
AREU Research Newsletter (Jan-Mar 2015)
The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) has re-started its "Afghanistan Research Newsletter". The first issue (now resumed) is Number 31, January - March 2015. This is essentially an annotated bibliography covering all aspects of Afghanistan. It is very well documented and ideal for researchers, policy-makers, humanitarians, development SMEs, and military advisors and personnel. The publication provides a listing of papers, books, publications, and reports by the AREU and many other organizations and government agencies.
Afghan War News Sniippets
Ghani Meets w/ MPs from 203rd Corps Area. President Ghani met with members of parliament from Khost, Paktia, Paktika, and Logar to discuss political and security issues. (@ARG_AFG Twitter, Apr 12, 2015).
Kandahar Blast Injures Civilians. Two people were injured in a mine blast in Kandahar province on Sunday. (Tolo News, Apr 12, 2015).
Kandahar Blast on Sunday Morning. One ANA was killed and two wounded in a mine blast in Police District 4 (PD4) in Kandahar on Sunday morning.
Badakhsahn Fighting. Afghan government sources say that intense fighting in northeast Afghanistan over 24 hours has resulted in 28 Taliban fighters killed. The fighting ended on April 11th. Six soldiers were killed and 12 wounded. (Gandhara Blog, Apr 12, 2015).
Save the Children Update. After five of its workers were killed in southern Urozgan province the international organization - Save the Children - is halting activities in that area of Afghanistan. The workers were kidnapped by the Taliban over a month ago and their demands for the release of political prisoners were not met. (Khaama Press, Apr 12, 2015).
Zulfiqar Operation. The Afghan government spokesmen are lauding the efforts of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in the recently concluded operation in Helmand province. Ministry of Interior (MoI) Sediq Sediqqi said at a press conference that almost 500 insurgents were killed. Press reports say that Sangin district is slipping from government control. Time will tell.
Camp Moorehead 100-Mile Endurance Run. The SF dudes at Camp Moorehead just outside of Kabul are taking some time off to get in some physical fitness (PT). Camp Moorehead (named after a fallen U.S. Soldier) is now called Camp Commando. It is the headquarters for ANASOC and the training base for the ANASF and ANA Commandos. The Special Operations Advisory Group (SOAG), is part of NSOCC-A/SOJTF-A and headed by Colonel Fred Dummar, based at Camp Commando is comprised of U.S. and Slovakian Special Forces advisors. Read more in a news article by the Fayetteville Observer (April 12, 2015).
Afghan Spaceman. The United Nations declared April 12th as the International Day of Human Space Flight. In 1988 Afghanistan's Cosmonaut Abdul Ahad Mohmand flew into space on board a Soyuz TM-6 rocket lifting off from Kazakhstan. Unknown to many the Soviets (in ten short years - 1979 to 1989) had established a fairly robust Afghan Air Force. After 13 years in Afghanistan the U.S. Air Force continues to work with the Afghan Air Force . . . but I don't see any astronauts coming out of their training programs anytime soon.
Copper Mine Stalled. According to a recent news report China and Afghanistan remain deadlocked over a $3 billion copper mine after China demanded royalties be slashed by almost half. Not much progress has taken place since China won the mining concession in Logar province in 2007. China is reluctant to pay for a mine with no railroad to export copper, a horrible security situation, and falling worldwide copper prices. The Chinese firm withdrew its Chinese mining workers from the heavily guarded mining camp due to a resurgent Taliban in the area. Militant violence in the area is at its worst since 2001. In addition, there is international pressure on mining activities to be delayed due to excavations of Buddhist ruins at the mining site. (Town Hall, Apr 11, 2015).
Drones. Gregoire Chamayou writes about armed drones in "Of Reapers and Predators: A New Warfare Emerges", Real Clear World, April 8, 2015.
Women. Katrin Park has comments about women's rights in Afghanistan in "How Not to Empower Women in Afghanistan", Cicero Magazine, April 8, 2015.
End of War - Free the Prisoners? Guantanamo prisoners say that the Global War on Terror and Operation Enduring Freedom has concluded so they should be released. (Eurasia Review, Apr 11, 2015).
Tom Malinowski - State Dept - Visits Kabul. The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor visited Kabul and was interviewed by the Gandhara Blog (Radio Free Europe). He chats about the Afghan leaders, human rights, transitional justice, and women's rights.
http://gandhara.rferl.org/content/us-tom-malinowski-interview/26951466.html
Policeman Defects - then Captured. A policeman has been detained 3 months after joining the Taliban with his weapon in Ghazni province. (Khaama Press, Apr 12, 2015).
Develop Your Writing Skills
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 blog posts and articles to our blog and add content to our website. If you wrote a paper on a relevant topic and would like to share it send it to us for posting on the blog and website. And naturally, if you see errors, outdated information, or broken links please let us know.
staff@afghanwarnews.info
staff@afghanwarnews.info
Afghan News - After Lunch Reading at 1330 (Kabul Time)
You can receive the Afghan War News Daily Newsletter each day. It should arrive in your e-mail inbox at 5:00 a.m. U.S. East coast time or just after lunch (1330) in Kabul. It is easy to subscribe. To submit your subscription request go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and enter your email in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box at the top of the right hand column. The only info needed is your email. No personal data, forms to fill out, or passwords needed. You will receive a confirmation email asking you if you want to subscribe. Just confirm and you are done. It is also easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Film Reviews - "Good Kill"
Reviews of "Good Kill". A newly released movie called "Good Kill" stars Ethan Hawke as a drone pilot who is troubled by his work. He (in the film) works at the Combined Joint Predator Task Force located at an airbase 50 miles north of Las Vegas but targets people thousands of miles away. Read "Armchair killers: life as a drone pilot", The Telegraph, April 11, 2015; "Good Kill: Tackling the ethics of drone warfare on film", BBC News, April 10, 2015; and "Good Kill review: more of a conversation piece than a fully formed film", The Irish Times, April 10, 2015. You can watch the movie trailer on YouTube.com at the following link. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcDB6OZgqzo
Sarah Chayes Interview
Sarah Chayes, the author of "Thieves of State", is interviewed by Samuel Rubenfeld about her book and corruption in Afghanistan. Chayes spent many years in Afghanistan and has first hand experience on the effects of corruption on the population of Afghanistan. In the interview ". . . she discussed the emotional effects of corruption, its effects on global security . . . " and more. She explains that Afghan people became more permeable to the Taliban message because of how they were treated by Afghan government officials. Chayes was brought to Kabul as an advisor to ISAF and she became to recognize that the Afghan government had many aspects of a criminal enterprise. Her research into corruption has widened beyond Afghanistan - to other countries as well. In the interview she says that private corporations have an obligation to try and stem corruption. Read the interview in "Corruption 'Isn't Just the Cost of Doing Business'", The Wall Street Journal, April 10, 2015.
Afghan War News Snippets
Kidnapped ANSF Beheaded. On Saturday Twitter was providing initial news reports that members of the ANA and ANP kidnapped by Taliban in Jurum district, Badakshan have been beheaded.
Unhappy AAF Pilots. The Afghan pilots who fly the fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft of the Afghan Air Force are unhappy. They say their pay is low, food is lousy, and living accommodations substandard. They are appealing to the President to fix the low morale in the AAF. After receiving intensive flight training, learning English, and then flying dangerous missions throughout Afghanistan they believe that 20,000 Afghanis ($344) a month is not enough. Read more in "Air Force Personnel Unhappy About Salaries, Benefits", Tolo News, April 9, 2015.
Report - Geospatial Technology. The International Peace Institute has issued an interesting and informative report entitled "Geospatial Technology as a Conflict Prevention and Management Tool in UN Peacekeeping", The paper by Elodie Convergne & Michael Synder (prepared in March 2015) is posted on the Peacekeeping & Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) of the U.S. Army. The use of Unarmed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UUAVs), satellite images, and computer technology is bleeding over from military applications, to peacekeeping applications, and soon it will be used my Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) conducting humanitarian operations in conflict zones (such as Afghanistan). The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is one of several UN organizations that use GIS units as a mission focal point for geospatial matters. It will be interesting to see how this develops in the future. The 19-page report, an Adobe Acrobat PDF, can be read online.
Students Poisoned in Herat. Afghan news sources report that 82 male students took sick at school. They are on the road to recovery.
Trouble South of the Border. News reports say that 20 workers were killed and three others wounded at a dam construction site in Balochistan Province, Pakistan. members of the Baluch Liberation Front (BLF) is claiming responsibility. (Radio Free Europe, April 11, 2015).
Parwan Blast. Tolo News reports that on Saturday a blast occurred the injured police and civilians in Sayagerd valley, Ghorband district, Parwan province.
Govt Official Killed in Maiden Wardak. Militants killed the administrator and finance manager of Maiden Wardak province. (Khaama Press, April 11, 2015).
Shot-Gun Wedding Failing? Ziauddin Wahaj writing in Eurasia Review is examining the forced marriage of President Ghani and CEO Adbullah. So far the National Unity Government (NUG) has failed to meet expectations. Read more in his article in "Is Kerry's National Unity Government Recipe Failing in Afghanistan?", April 11, 2015.
U.S. and India Should Work Together. Alyssa Ayres of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) says that there are some areas where American and Indian expertise can boost Afghanistan's security and help consolidate its democratic gains. Read more in "Why the US Should Work With India to Stabilize Afghanistan", Defense One, April 9, 2015.
Guest Bloggers Welcomed
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 blog posts and articles to our blog and add content to our website. If you wrote a paper on a relevant topic and would like to share it send it to us for posting on the blog and website. And naturally, if you see errors, outdated information, or broken links please let us know.
staff@afghanwarnews.info
staff@afghanwarnews.info
Afghan News at 5:00 am
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. Go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and submit your subscription request in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box at the top of the right hand column. The only info needed is your email. No personal data, forms to fill out, or passwords needed. You will receive a confirmation email asking you if you want to subscribe. Just confirm and you are done. It is also easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Central Asia and Islam
The nation of Uzbekistan - located along the northern border of Afghanistan - is confronting the rising threat of Islamic fundamentalism. Uzbekistan offers insights into secular Islam within Central Asia and the legacy of Soviet influence. This country is often overlooked by the western world as the focus is on events happening in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, North Africa and other areas of the globe. However, in light of the rising threat of Islamic fundamentalism, it may be useful to take a closer look at Uzbekistan. In addition, the Afghan conflict - which sees the activities of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) firmly entrenched in northern Afghanistan - may continue to spill over into Uzbekistan. This country offers a glimpse of what a secular Islamist state could look like - as well as the way in which religious repression will sometimes lead to extremism, violence, and state instability. Read more in "Central Asia: Can Secular Islam Survive?", The Diplomat, April 10, 2015. http://thediplomat.com/2015/04/central-asia-can-secular-islam-survive/
Operation Zulfiqar - Not so Much
Operation Zulfiqar is now complete. The Afghan government claims that the Taliban have suffered huge losses and much of Helmand province is more secure to include Sangin district. Resolute Headquarters will crank up their Information Operations (IO) machine and issue the usual cheerleader proclamations - posted to Twitter, Facebook, the RS website, and DVIDS. The Afghan military launched Operation Zulfiqar in February in an attempt to secure the northern part of Helmand province and demonstrate the government's resolve to fight in the Taliban heartland. The 'clearing operation' is over. However, as is true in most 'clearing operations' - the 'clearing troops' are now departing the area of operations and the Taliban are moving back into the security vacuum. This is how clearing operations went with U.S. troops for a number of years and the same happens with the Afghan National Army (the ANA have learned well from the U.S.). Large unit formations move into an area for a week to a couple of months, look for insurgents, weapons caches, IEDs, get shot at, suffer casualties, accomplish almost nothing, and then . . . they leave. So they accomplish the "Clear" part of "Clear, Hold, and Build" - but . . . then they leave. And the Taliban filter back in to control the village, the valley, or the district. The corrupt Afghan police who are left guarding the district center(s) are ill-led and ill-equipped to fight the Taliban. So the police 'secure the district center'; which is usually a walled compound where the district governor may show up to work (usually not) and the district chief of police (DCoP) comes to a quiet understanding with the real power in the district - the insurgents. Read more in "Afghan Effort to Secure South Falters", The Wall Street Journal, April 10, 2015.
Report - "Afghanistan at Transition"
Anthony H. Cordesman of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) has penned a report entitled "Afghanistan at Transition: Lessons of the Longest War", March 2015. This 240 plus page document provides a much needed assessment of what has been accomplished, the cost of those accomplishments, and what remains to be done in Afghanistan. Cordesman is highly critical of the Obama administration and the military propensity for 'spin'. He lays out the facts in a cogent and understandable manner and follows through with very informative recommendations of the steps that should be taken to ensure 'victory'. He concludes with an examination of US strategy; looking at the case for and against a 'conditions-based involvement' and choosing between the options.
http://csis.org/files/publication/150319_Afghan_Transition.pdf
http://csis.org/files/publication/150319_Afghan_Transition.pdf
Afghan War News Snippets
VBIED Attack Kabul City. On Friday afternoon (10 Apr) there was an attack on a logistics convoy with casualties reported. There are reports of three U.S. wounded and three Afghan civilians killed.
Ghazni - Roadside Bomb Kills Civilians. As many as twelve civilians were killed when a roadside bomb blew up a car full of people traveling to a wedding in Ghazni province on Friday. (Townhall.com, April 10, 2015).
Jalalabad Convoy Attack. Four civilians were killed and 12 wounded in a suicide attack near a convoy of Resolute Support troops on Friday. (Washington Post, Apr 10, 2015).
NGO Workers Killed. Five "Save the Children" workers were killed in Uruzgan province after they were kidnapped last month. (Pajhwok Afghan News, April 10).
MeS Courthouse Attack. Reports say that 18 were killed and over 100 wounded in the attack on the Mazar-e-Sharif courthouse in Balkh province on Thursday.
Attacks in Badakhshan. Several Afghan National Army posts were attacked in Badakhshan province. Some of the posts are no longer occupied by the ANA. (Tolo News, Apr 10, 2015).
Haqqani Network's 'Caravan of Heroes'. The Haqqani Network has released a 61 minute long video explaining its bombing attacks against the Coalition and ANSF. (The Long War Journal, Apr 10, 2015).
31 Hazara Hostages. "Inside the two seized buses, terrified passengers prayed to remain in their seats. The masked gunmen had collected their identification cards and snatched their cell phones, survivors would later recall. Next, they separated the males from females and Sunni Muslims from Shiite Muslims. Finally, they ordered the Shiite males - all ethnic Hazaras - off the buses". Read more in "After suffering under the Taliban, an Afghan minority faces new threats", The Washington Post, April 10, 2015).
Rule of Law - The Military's Role. Some good reading for the Resolute Support Essential Function 3 advisors working in the MoI and MoD. An article by Patrick Reinert and John F. Hussey entitled "The Military's Role in Rule of Law Development" (Joint Force Quarterly, April 1, 2015 - National Defense University Press) provides some background into the RoL efforts of ISAF and the future responsibilities of the U.S. military in regards to RoL in conflicts to come.
MoD Fuel Scandel - $100 Million. The fuel corruption within the Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan appears to be quite massive. Reports indicate that more than $100 million was overcharged by Afghan fuel companies with the approval of senior officials from the MoD. One official was paid over $5 million as a bribe for his part in the corruption. Read the news report (Tolo News, April 9, 2015).
U.S. - Pakistan - Ground Hog Day. Read commentary about the U.S. and Pakistan relationship in an article by C. Christine Fair (a noted observer of AfPak affairs) published in War on the Rocks, April 9, 2015.
Afghanistan to Buy Mi-35 Helicopters. According to Shakir Kargar, a special envoy to President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan will soon buy Mi-35 Attack Helicopters from Russia for its Afghan Air Force. Read more in a news report (Khaama Press, Apr 10, 2015).
Canada's 'Project Heroes' Exhibit. An exhibit has opened in Canada's Government House that celebrates the lives of the Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan. See a news story by Global News, April 10, 2015.
Report - "Afghan Civil Society: Tradition facing the future". Amy Strand, Deputy Director for the CMI Instutue of the Norwegian Centre for Humanitarian Studies has wrote a report (dated March 2015) on the development of robust civil society organizations.
Retrograde Slows. The op tempo of closing bases in Afghanistan has slowed due to the recent decision to take a knee in the withdrawal of advisors from the corps advisor platforms (TAACs). Read more in a news report in Army Times (Apr 10, 2015).
MG James Post (USAF) Fired Over A-10 'Treason' Comments. The Air Force general has been fired from his position and issued a letter of reprimand. He got himself in hot water after some inappropriate remarks about the A-10 Warthog. Air Force Times, April 10, 2015.
10th SFGA earns FBI's Highest Award. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) awarded members of the 10th Special Forces Group the agency's highest recognition for their work in countering IED networks in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2009. (DVIDS, Apr 9, 2015).
BAF Emergency Response Tests. Bagram Airfield recently tested its base defense and emergency response procedures. Learn more in a news report by army.mil, April 10, 2015.
www.army.mil/article/146226/
Russian IO Machine Now Available in Pashto. Sputnik Multimedia Group launched its Pashto-language website on Friday. If you want the Russian government's perspective on Afghanistan then you know what to read! Of course, you will need to know Pashto. http://pashto.sputniknews.com/
Mumbai Attack Suspect Released. Pakistan, the country that is renouncing terrorism and helping Afghanistan defeat the Taliban, has just released a prime suspect in the Mumbai, India attack from jail. He is one of seven men facing trial over the attacks which left 166 people dead. Mr. Lakhvi is accused of heading the Lashkar-e-Taiba group (LeT). (BBC News, April 10, 2015).
www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32250763
Guest Writers Wanted
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 blog posts and articles to our blog and add content to our website. If you wrote a paper on a relevant topic and would like to share it send it to us for posting on the blog and website. And naturally, if you see errors, outdated information, or broken links please let us know.
staff@afghanwarnews.inf
staff@afghanwarnews.inf
Afghan War News w/ Morning Coffee
You can receive the Afghan War News Daily Newsletter each day. It should arrive in your e-mail inbox at 5:00 am Eastern Standard Time. It is easy to subscribe. Go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and submit your subscription request in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box at the top of the right hand column. The only info needed is your email. No personal data, forms to fill out, or passwords needed. You will receive a confirmation email asking you if you want to subscribe. Just confirm and you are done. It is also easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Cultural and Situational Understanding
The United States Army has published ATP 3-24.3, Cultural and Situational Understanding, April 2015 - a manual that "establishes the techniques and procedures used by individuals, teams, and units of the United States army at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels of war." This manual is valuable for all members of the military (as well as contractors) who are engaged in security assistance. This publication elaborates on doctrine contained in FM 3-24, Insurgency and Countering Insurgencies. This manual should be suggested pre-deployment reading for those contractor or military personnel who will be engaged in the Security Force Assistance mission in Afghanistan. Many advisors deploy to Afghanistan without a basic knowledge of how to advise, how to engage in cross-cultural communications, and how to adapt to a different and strange environment. The reading of this pub will help the future advisor in knowing how to establish rapport and build a relationship - which is key to the ability to train, advise, and assist - and influence - a counterpart from another country.
Chapter 1 - Intro to Cultural and Situational Understanding
Chapter 2 - Cultural Perception and Mindset
Chapter 3 - Cross-Cultural Communications and Engagement
Chapter 4 - Cultural Understanding: a Three Level Approach
Chapter 5 - Cultural Counterparts
Appendix A - Working with Translators and Interpreters
Cultural and Situational Understanding, ATP 3-24.3, April 2015.
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/atp3_24x3.pdf
Chapter 1 - Intro to Cultural and Situational Understanding
Chapter 2 - Cultural Perception and Mindset
Chapter 3 - Cross-Cultural Communications and Engagement
Chapter 4 - Cultural Understanding: a Three Level Approach
Chapter 5 - Cultural Counterparts
Appendix A - Working with Translators and Interpreters
Cultural and Situational Understanding, ATP 3-24.3, April 2015.
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/atp3_24x3.pdf
Afghan War News Snippets (Apr 10, 2015)
Mes-e-Sharif Courthouse Attacked. The Taliban attacked the MeS courthouse in Balhk province with rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons on Thursday killing at least eight people and wounding many more. Several security officials were killed including a district police chief. Read more in a news report by Voice of America, April 9, 2015.
Kunar PCoP Survives Road Blast. The Provincial Chief of Police for Kunar survived a roadside blast in the Surubi area - about 50 kilometers east of Kabul along the Kabul-Jalalabad highway. The incident took place on Wednesday.
TAAC-South Aviation. Full-spectrum aviation support is provided to the Afghan forces by Task Force Corsair. This multi-functional aviation task force is comprised of Soldiers from the 82nd Aviation Regiment deployed from Fort Bragg, NC. The Task Force operates under the leadership of the NATO Train, Advise, Assist Command - South which is responsible for operations and the advisory effort in the southern regions of Afghanistan. Learn more in "Task Force Corsair assists from above", Fort Hood Sentinel, April 9, 2015.
Retired Col Speaks About Insider Attacks. Retired Army Col Derek Harvey tells us about the difficulty of stopping insider attacks in Afghanistan and the most recent Green-on-Blue incident in Jalalabad in an online video by Newsmax, April 8, 2015, 12 minutes.
What is Ahead for Afghanistan? The Asia Foundation interviews two experts on Afghanistan. Karl Eikenberry (former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan) and Erik Jensen (director of Stanford's Rule of Law Program) gives us their thoughts on "The Road Ahead for Afghanistan". (April 8, 2015).
Ghani After Washington Tour. The warm glow of President Ghani's goodwill tour in the United States has subsided and the realities of trying to govern Afghanistan are back in the forefront. Sixteen cabinet ministry positions are unfilled, some parliament members are asking for $500,000 bribes for their vote to approve cabinet ministers, the CEO Abdullah Abdullah and President Ghani have a strained and complicated relationship, the Taliban are about to kick off their 2015 fighting season, and the Independent Directorate for Local Government (IDLG) (responsible for sub-national governance) is paralyzed without a leader. Read more in "Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Returns to Kabul", by Adbullah Sharif, The Huffington Post, April 9, 2015.
MoD Cabinet Nominee Withdraws. According to Tolo News (April 8, 2015) the nominee for defense ministry withdrew his nomination due to serious disagreements between President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah.
Trading Money for Votes. Accusations of corruption were tossed between members of the Afghan parliament in regard to the approval of the cabinet officers chosen by Ghani. Tolo News, April 8, 2015.
Tension Within NUG. The National Unity Government (NUG) is having some growing pains. It has been more than a 1/2 year since its formation but the camps of Ghani and Abdullah are having trouble getting along - and that affects the governance of Afghanistan. Khaama Press, April 8, 2015.
Paper on Afghan Constitutions. Afghanistan has had six constitutions - the latest one established in 2004. Aruni Jayakody has wrote a paper entitled "Evolution of Fundamental Rights in Afghanistan: 1924-2004, April 2015. Posted on the website of the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU).
Bergdahl. Michael Ames writes an extensive article on the disappearance of Bowe Bergdahl and the Soldiers that spent months searching for him. Read "Untangling the Mysteries Behind Bowe Bergdahl's Rescue Mission", Newsweek, April 9, 2015.
University of Michigan Cancels Film Showing. The film 'American Sniper' was supposed to show at the university but it got cancelled due to protest by Muslim student groups. Then the university faced some backlash on that decision. Read more in a news report by Fox News, April 9, 2015.
Military Offers Fast Track to U.S. Citizenship. The Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest, known as MAVNI, will double to 3,000 enlistments in 2015 and then go up to 5,000 in 2016. Currently the program is capped at 1,500 recruits. The program helps the Army recruit personnel for its medical programs as well as recruits with foreign language skills and cultural knowledge and understanding. Certainly this is valuable program - especially in light of the long-term counterinsurgency wars we have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan and the future nature of warfare (hybrid warfare) that this country is likely to face in the future. Many MAVNI recruits have a college education, already speak English, and are in their mid-20s. Recruits must have lived in the United States for two years and they undergo an extensive background check. Learn more in a news report by the Wall Street Journal (April 8, 2015).
Explore Your Creativity
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 blog posts and articles to our blog and add content to our website. If you wrote a paper on a relevant topic and would like to share it send it to us for posting on the blog and website. And naturally, if you see errors, outdated information, or broken links please let us know.
staff@afghanwarnews.inf
staff@afghanwarnews.inf
Daily News Update in your Inbox
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. Go to www.afghanwarnews.blogspot.com and submit your subscription request in the "Follow by Email" dialogue box at the top of the right hand column. The only info needed is your email. No personal data, forms to fill out, or passwords needed. You will receive a confirmation email asking you if you want to subscribe. Just confirm and you are done. It is also easy to unsubscribe. At the bottom of the newsletter click "unsubscribe" and you will be automatically unsubscribed.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
How to Avoid or Mitigate the Insider Threat
News reports indicate that an exchange of gunfire took place between U.S. troops and Afghan National Security Forces in Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, April 8th. Early reports say one U.S. Soldier has died and at least and perhaps almost seven U.S. Soldiers have been wounded. In addition one ANSF is has died. The incident took place after a high level meeting between Afghan governors, senior Coalition and Afghan officers, and U.S. diplomatic officers. (Read more in a news report, The Washington Post, April 8, 2015).
The incidents of insider attacks peaked in the late summer of 2012. This was a major concern and as General Allen (then COMISAF) put it at the time - insider attacks were a strategic threat to the coalition. Much was done by ISAF to mitigate the insider threat to include distribution of an Insider Threat guide, slowdown of partnered operations, a temporary pullback of advisory duties, and implementation of counterintelligence practices. Many observers thought the majority of the attacks were because of arguments between the ANSF and the Coalition troops or cultural missteps by Coalition troops. The real causes of the insider threat are difficult to determine - Taliban infiltration of the ANSF, pressure by the Taliban on ANSF measures, cultural misunderstandings, arguments, and other factors certainly play a role. Most insider attacks see the assailant killed or escape; so there is usually little opportunity to interrogate the assailant. Attacks subsided during 2013 and 2014. This was due to a number of factors: 1) improved vetting of the ANSF, 2) a decreased level of partnered operations, 3) improved force protection measures utilized by SFAATs, 4) adoption of the Guardian Angel program, 5) improved cultural awareness training of advisors, and more.
Learn more about the insider threat.
Insider Threat in Afghanistan
www.afghanwarnews.info/insiderthreat.htm
Insider Threat References
www.afghanwarnews.info/insiderthreat/Insider-Threat-References.htm
Insider Threat News
http://www.afghanwarnews.info/insiderthreatnews.htm
Insider Threat Handguide 2.0
www.afghanwarnews.info/insiderthreat/Insider-Threat-Handguide.htm
The incidents of insider attacks peaked in the late summer of 2012. This was a major concern and as General Allen (then COMISAF) put it at the time - insider attacks were a strategic threat to the coalition. Much was done by ISAF to mitigate the insider threat to include distribution of an Insider Threat guide, slowdown of partnered operations, a temporary pullback of advisory duties, and implementation of counterintelligence practices. Many observers thought the majority of the attacks were because of arguments between the ANSF and the Coalition troops or cultural missteps by Coalition troops. The real causes of the insider threat are difficult to determine - Taliban infiltration of the ANSF, pressure by the Taliban on ANSF measures, cultural misunderstandings, arguments, and other factors certainly play a role. Most insider attacks see the assailant killed or escape; so there is usually little opportunity to interrogate the assailant. Attacks subsided during 2013 and 2014. This was due to a number of factors: 1) improved vetting of the ANSF, 2) a decreased level of partnered operations, 3) improved force protection measures utilized by SFAATs, 4) adoption of the Guardian Angel program, 5) improved cultural awareness training of advisors, and more.
Learn more about the insider threat.
Insider Threat in Afghanistan
www.afghanwarnews.info/insiderthreat.htm
Insider Threat References
www.afghanwarnews.info/insiderthreat/Insider-Threat-References.htm
Insider Threat News
http://www.afghanwarnews.info/insiderthreatnews.htm
Insider Threat Handguide 2.0
www.afghanwarnews.info/insiderthreat/Insider-Threat-Handguide.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)