Afghan War News Snippets

Bagpipes and the UK in Afghanistan. Approximately 200 soldiers from 2 SCOTS will be located in four sites in Kabul protecting ministerial advisors, mentors at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy, and the UK's aviation detachment. Read more in "Bagpipes announce the beginning of a new phase of UK involvement in the Resolute Support Mission", RS News, August 23, 2015.

New BSA for Contractors in Afghanistan. Existing provisions of the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) will take full effect in September 2015 which will impact DoD and NATO coalition contractors working in Afghanistan. These provisions include visa and business license requirements. There are approximately 35,000 contractors in Afghanistan. Read more in a news article on Army.mil, August 27, 2015.

Paper - "Professionalizing Ministerial Advising". A former advisor to Afghan ministries provides us his input on advising at the ministry level. Posted on PKSOI website.

Human Rights Key to Success Against Insurgents. The director of Resolute Support Essential Function Three, U.S. Army BG Mitchell Chitwood, recently attended a shura at Forward Operating Base Fenty in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province attended by members of Train, Advise, Assist Command - East (TAAC-East) and members of the ANDSF.  The shura was organized by TAAC-East. BG Chitwood says that this was a first - a shura with coalition members and ANDSF coming together to discuss human rights. If that is a true statement then the meeting was a long time coming - as in 14 years! Surely the general was misquoted. Read more in "Human rights: a key to security in Afghanistan", RS News, August 2015.

Pay Raise for U.S. Military? It appears that President Obama will attempt to increase the pay of federal workers and military member by 1 percent effective in 2016. Congress can come up with its own plan (and it sometimes does). Read more in a news report by The Hill, August 28, 2015.

Afghan Journalists Under Fire. A news report by the Asia Division Deputy Director for Human Rights Watch details the occupational hazards of Afghan journalism. Human Rights Watch, August 27, 2015.

Life of a Guardian Angel. View a 3 minute long video by Resolute Support entitled "Life on Forward Operating Base Camp Connelly", YouTube.com, August 27, 2015. A few years back there were three SFAATs, a U.S. company, an ANA kandak, and other combat enablers. Now it is a temporary camp for TAAC-East advisors and their support (as in GAs).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvzmmDXgFos

Afghan Asylum Seekers Deported from UK. The UK is deporting Afghans back to Afghanistan - but there is a court order that prohibits deportation to most of the provinces in Afghanistan. Of the 34 provinces only three qualify. (The Guardian, Aug 26, 2015).

Crackdown in Pakistan on Afghan Refugees. Almost 90,000 Afghan refugees have returned home in recent months from Pakistan. There is a December 31 deadline for a return on all Afghan refugees. (Gandhara Blog, Aug 25, 2015).

Afghans and Pakistan. "Many Afghans associate the Taliban with neighboring Pakistan and blame Islamabad for their misery and decades-long armed conflict in their country." Read more in "Whay are the Afghans wary of Pakistan?", Deutsche Welle, December 24, 2015.

Ghani Issues Order to Curb CIVCAS. Afghanistan's president Ashraf Ghani has issues orders to government officials and the Afghan security forces to curb civilian casualties in the ongoing war. Read more in a news report by Tolo News, August 28, 2015.

What are the Troop Numbers for RS? Did you ever wonder which nations are contributors to Afghanistan's defense and training? Resolute Support HQs has a 'placemat' that will answer that question. See "Troop numbers and contributions".

Video - Airspace Management Advisor TAAC-East. In this video from Resolute Support headquarters an advisor, Ellyn Grosz, talks about what it means to advise the 201st ANA Corps and Operation Iron Triangle. Training involved working with the Afghan Army ATACs.
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0mS_SoRaIY

China's Leadership Role in Afghanistan. Two writers believe the China needs to step up and play a stronger role in Afghanistan's affairs. Read more in "Can China Assert Itself in Afghanistan?", The Diplomat, August 28, 2015.

Oshkosh Wins Major Contract. The Wisconsin truck-maker has won a large contract ($30 billion?) to make the U.S. Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) that will replace the Humvees. (Defense One, Aug 25, 2015).

950th Engineer Company Deployment Ends. The Wisconsin Army National Guard's 950th Engineer Company is back in the United States after its deployment to Afghanistan. Their primary mission was route clearance operations and providing security for the Kandahar Airfield and Forward Operating Base Oqab. The unit previously deployed to Iraq in 2003 and 2010. Duluth News Tribune, August 27, 2015.

Book on Battle of Wanat now Digital. The Combat Studies Institute has enhanced the well-known work titled "Wanat: Combat Action in Afghanistan, 2008" with the iBook format. Read more in "Well-Known Combat Studies Institute Book Charges Headlong into the Digital Age", TRADOC Newsletter, August 26, 2015.

Pentagon Upset at French for Speedy Awards to U.S. Servicemembers. The bureaucratic pencil pushers at the Pentagon a chafing with the news that the U.S. military members have received a prestigious French award for their preventing a terrorist attack on a European train in August 2015. Read more in "Pentagon Angered at Speed of French Military Awards System", DuffelBlog, August 27, 2015.

Corruption in Balkh. Read why "Corruption is a Huge Challenge for Balkh Residents", Tolo News, August 26, 2015. A survey was done by the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) of twelve provinces of Afghanistan including Balkh.

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Report on Panjwai Massacre of March 2012

In March 2012, in a year where the insider attacks against ISAF Soldiers took its heaviest toll, SSG Robert Bales committed a gruesome crime against Afghan civilians. Bales was an infantry squad leader attached to a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha in a remote village in Panjwai district, Kandahar province. SSG Bales was using steroids and alcohol prior to killing Afghan civilians in southern Afghanistan in March 2012. The Panjwai district massacre occurred just outside of a Special Forces village stability platform (village) at VSP Belambai. Read more in "Report: Bales 'erratic' before 212 shooting rampage", Army Times, August 18, 2015. The 569 page official report can be read online. It was completed by the United States Forces - Afghanistan (USFOR-A) Staff Judge Advocate on June 22, 2012 and was originally classified SECRET. It has since been downgraded and approved for release.

RS HQs Advise and Assist Cells

ACC-SW with ANA 215th Corps G3
Photo by Lt. Sharon Mulholland

As the United States military drawdown continues in Afghanistan the ability to station military advisors at the Afghan National Army corps level has diminished. Two of the ANA corps are now "uncovered" by permanent advisors. Instead an Advise and Assist Cell (ACC) advises these two corps from afar via phone and email as well as by conducting periodic visits. Resolute Support Headquarters has provided us an overview of one such Advise and Assist Cell mission in a recent news release (August 16, 2015).

In late July 2015 the Resolute Support Advise and Assist Directorate deployed a small team to a remote region of Afghanistan (we used to call this RC Southwest where thousands of U.S. Marines, Brits, Danes, and others were stationed). The ACC's advising mission was interrupted by the 215th Corps responding to a district in Helmand province that was under attack. Now Zad district was the scene of heavy fighting. The ACC had the opportunity to see the 215th ANA Corps battle staff in action.

The head of the Advise and Assist Directorate (ADD) in Kabul, BG Paul Lebidine, is quoted in the news release as saying that the ANA knows how to fight and that they have courage; but that the ANA really needs advise in gaining long term sustainability - therefore RS HQs is concentrating advising efforts on the detailed processes necessary to run a large scale army. The ANA lost the battle for Now Zad district and as of mid-August the Taliban flag was flying over the district center.

Two Females Graduate from Ranger Course

To the applause of almost everyone (if relying on Internet news stories and Twitter tweets is a reliable measure of opinion) two female Soldiers have graduated from the Army's premier infantry training course. The Ranger School finally admitted female Soldiers to start the training. After months of preparation, a few recycles, and a few different Ranger course sequences spanning April through August two of the women made it through the tough training. Both are West Point graduates and will have the honor of wearing the Ranger Tab through the course of their military careers. One is a Captain MP and the other a Lieutenant Apache helicopter pilot. One of the graduates is a veteran of an Afghan deployment. I suspect their future is bright. It won't be long before the special operations community scoffs these two Rangers up. It wouldn't surprise me to hear that one of them is attempting the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) next. More on that below.

Advocates for women taking a greater role in combat arms of the military will point to these two women as evidence that women can cut it in combat units. The test of time will tell if allowing women into infantry squads and Ranger companies is a good idea. Certainly there is a role for women in combat - this has been proven time and again over the past decade in Iraq and Afghanistan. One need only point out their value in programs such as the Female Engagement Teams or FETs (that supported Marine and Army infantry units) and the Cultural Support Teams or CSTs (that supported special operations forces) to recognize their importance in the fight. The Navy has come out with news that the SEALs will open up their training to females. Demi Moore is vindicated!

Some of the Special Mission Units (SMUs) have integrated women into their training and operations for many years - in fact, many feel that special operations has been in the forefront (in a quiet way) for integrating women into their units. (Learn about "Project Diane" and the OSS on the USASOC website). Women as shooters on a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha? Hmmmm. It probably won't be long before the Army announces the entrance of women into Special Forces units at the combat level. While Ranger training is two (very hard) months, Special Forces training at the entry level is in excess of one year - and depending on the military occupational specialty - almost two years. Once again, time will tell. Now that MG Scotty Miller (heading up the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning) has "led the way" to getting women integrated into Ranger training the spotlight moves onto LTG Ken Tovo (USASOC cdr) and MG Kraft (Special Forces Command) at Fort Bragg.

If a female does attend and complete the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) then she won't be the first. That ground (or camouflage ceiling) was broken years ago - in 1980 (or 1981?). Captain Kathleen Wilder, a military intelligence officer assigned to an Intel position in Special Forces found that there was nothing in the regulation against women attending the Special Forces Officer Course. She pressed Department of the Army to attend (a little Congressional help was instrumental I believe) and was able to attend the Special Forces Officer Course (SFOC). Back then SFOC was different than the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). SFOC was for officers and SFQC was for enlisted. The officer course was way easy compared to SFQC. Wilder's graduation from SFOC changed all of that. Shortly after her graduation the potential SF officers had to go through the training with the enlisted. One of the best things that ever happened to SF!

The Army put on quite a show for the Ranger class graduation. You can watch a one hour long video of a press conference published on YouTube.com on August 21, 2015 by US Army TRADOC.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzKN1ZzFiAI

For me, I take comfort in knowing that I was in the last HARD RANGER CLASS! Desert Legion!
www.benning.army.mil/infantry/rtb/Graduates/images/8-83.jpg

Paper - COIN and Strategic Development

The Small Wars Journal has posted an informative paper by Jeff Goodson about the socioeconomic development part of the overall military campaign strategy for Afghanistan during the years 2010 to 2012. Goodson is a retired US Foreign Service Officer who worked for USAID for 29 years. He served 31 months in Afghanistan during the 2006-2012 timeframe and seventeen months as Director of STAB/Development at ISAF HQs in 2010 to 2012. In his paper he provides us information about the STAB/Development section of ISAF to include its mandate, its staff, the campaign plan, types of development, the focus on eight basic services programs, and more. He concludes his paper recommending a "COIN light" approach and states that socioeconomics will almost always play a role in a counterinsurgency and stability operations. Read the article entitled "Strategic Development and Irregular Warfare: Lessons from the High Water Mark of Full-Spectrum COIN", Small Wars Journal, August 16,2015.

Commentary

Is Airpower More Important and Effective than Landpower? Two military flyers would have us believe that the Defense Department should redirect funding from the U.S. Army (a land power component of our national defense) to the Air Force and Naval aviation (an air power component of our national defense). They believe " . . . that resorting to U.S. ground forces as a military option has frequently produced costly failures that we should not be eager to repeat." They conclude, in their article, that "In the irregular wars America has actually fought, and remains likely to fight, a combined effort of airpower, special operations forces, and the intelligence community is simply a better instrument for American policymakers than conventional landpower." This article, of course, is deserving of a vigorous "Haarruuummmpphh". Read more in "Airpower May Not Win Wars, But It Sure Doesn't Lose Them", War on the Rocks, August 19, 2015.

Article - "Shedding Light on the Gray Zone: A New Approach to Human-Centric Warfare", Army Magazine, August 17, 2015. LTG Charles Cleveland (retired cdr of USASOC), and two LTCs (both with extensive SOF experience) provide us with their thoughts on the future of warfare.

www.armymagazine.org/2015/08/17/shedding-light-on-the-gray-zone/

Failings of America's Military Academies. William J. Astore, a retired USAF LtCol and former academy instructor, shares his views about the U.S. military academies in "70 Years of Military Mediocrity", The Huffington Post Politcs Blog, August 18, 2015.

Backsliding in Afghanistan. One writer, Hannah Bloch, worries that we might be taken our eye off the ball in Afghanistan - and that it will soon once again be America's "forgotten war". Read more in Is Afghanistan Backsliding?, WGBH News, August 17, 2015.

Quiet Demise of the Human Terrain System

The Human Terrain Teams or HTTs deployed to Afghanistan did some great work; at least in my view - having spent parts of every year from 2010-2014 in Afghanistan. Like all new programs rapidly put together (funding, organization, recruitment, training, and employment) there were some early problems. In addition, anthropologists went into a huge panic causing a lack of support in the public arena. However, the HTTs soon proved their worth to brigade and battalion commanders in the fight. While some critics point out the errors of the HTS they seem to recognize the need for an organization that fulfills the function of the HTS. Read more in "The Quiet Demise of the Army's Plan to Understand Afghanistan and Iraq", by Vanessa Gezari, The New York Times Magazine, August 18, 2015.

Peace Talks

At one point in late July it seemed that some concrete steps towards peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban were being taken. Most insurgencies are solved through a political process - few are won militarily (and we know that the ANDSF are far from being able to accomplish that). With that in mind there are some optimists out there who are looking at the glass half full with hopes that peace talks can generate some momentum and end the constant warfare that Afghanistan has seen for so many decades. However, the news that Mullah Omar (the leader of the Taliban) has been dead for two years have thrown the Taliban leadership in disarray and put the peace talks on hold. In addition, it seems the new leader of the Taliban has walked away from negotiations. The recent spate of bombing attacks in Kabul have increased tensions between Pakistan (who supports the Taliban) and Afghanistan. So . . . the peace talks appear to be on hold. Carter Malkasian, a former advisor to the ISAF commander, provides us his thoughts on the future of peace talks in "Is Peace Possible in Afghanistan?", Foreign Affairs, August 18, 2015.

Peace Talks in Doubt? Bruce Riedel did 30 years service at the Central Intelligence Agency including postings in the Middle East. He was a senior advisor on South Asia to the last four administrations. Currently he is with the Brookings Institute. Read his article about the diminished hopes for peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in "The Taliban Affirm their alliance with al-Qaida: Afghan peace talks in doubt", Brookings.edu, August 20, 2015.

Post Mullah Omar Musings

Analysts continue to explore the future of the Taliban movement without its long-time leader Mullah Omar. One writer, Kambaiz Rafi, feels that the death of Mullah Omar will lead to the slow disintegration of what we once knew as the Taliban. He believes that most Afghan Islamist groups have been mostly individual-driven than programmatic. With the demise of a charismatic leader most Afghan groups have withered away. I guess hope springs eternal. Read more in "The Afghan Government Should Let the Taliban Destroy Itself", The Diplomat, August 12, 2015.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has released a report entitled The Death of Mullah Omar and the Rise of ISIS in Afghanistan, August 18, 2015.
http://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/death-mullah-omar-and-rise-isis-afghanistan

Pakistan: U.S. Finally Growing a Pair?

Various news reports indicate that the United States government will not certify Pakistan's counter-terrorism operations in North Wazirstan as damaging to the Haqqani Network. The DoD has reportedly notified the Pakistani embassy in D.C. This will block the release of funds for U.S. financial assistance for the Pakistani military. A couple of things come to mind. Apparently the bulk of our retrograde operations using the lines of communication (LOCs) across the Afghan border into Pakistan to seaports on the Indian Ocean has been completed (we were held hostage for quite awhile over this aspect of the war). In addition, we are finally doing something about the sanctuaries. One facet of counterinsurgency is that if the insurgents enjoy sanctuaries (and foreign support) across a border it will be almost impossible to defeat them - making for a very long war. This action by the U.S. has been a long time coming. Read more in "US Set to Suspend Military Aid to Pakistan", The Diplomat, August 21, 2015.

On a related note - the man known by many as the "Godfather of the Taliban" has died. Hamid Gul, the former head of the Pakistan ISI has died of a brain hemorrhage. He was an Islamist ideologue until his death and leaves behind a dangerous legacy. Afghans have called him "the butcher of the Afghans". Read more in a news report by Deutsche Welle dated August 21, 2015.

Pakistan Border Shelling. The artillery fire by Pakistani forces into Afghanistan continues. Afghanistan has summoned Pakistan's ambassador to explain a battle between the security forces of the two countries that killed up to eight Afghan border police. Read more in "Kabul Summons Pakistani Ambassador as Afghans Mark Independence Day", Radio Free Europe, August 19, 2015.

Cross-Border Ops? In a twist to the recent rise in tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan we learn that the Chief Executive Office (Afghanistan) has warned Pakistan that if it fails to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries that it will - with the help of the international community - directly hit militant hideouts on the other side of the Durand Line. This could make things interesting! Read more in "CEO's Office Warns Pakistan Against Protecting Insurgents", Tolo News, August 21, 2015.

Security News

U.S. Embassy Emergency Message. The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan has issued an emergency message on August 15th for U.S. citizens about a possible attack in mid-August by Taliban insurgents. http://kabul.usembassy.gov/em_081515.html

German Aid Worker Kidnapped. GIZ - the German overseas development agency - has temporarily suspended all its operations in Kabul after one of its key female staff members was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday (Aug 18th). Read more in a news report by Tolo News, Aug 18, 2015.

IMU a Threat in Northern Afghanistan. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan or IMU is on the offensive against the Kabul government. Learn more in "Islamic State Ally Emerges as Threat to Afghanistan, Central Asia", The Wall Street Journal, August 18, 2015.

Dostum Convoy Ambushed. Vice President Dostum's convoy was ambushed on Friday (Aug 21) by the Taliban in Faryab province on the Ghormach-Qaisar highway. Initial reports are that the outcome was not favorable for the Taliban (8 KIA, 13 captured). Read more in "Afghan Vice President Survives Ambush", Gandara Blog, August 21, 2015.

Food Shortage in Parmir Region Due to Insurgents. Nearly 90 percent of the population of the Parmir mountain region in Badakhshan province are facing major food shortages as the insurgents have blocked off key supply routes. See a  news report on this topic in Tolo News, August 20, 2015.

Now Zad District Update. The Taliban fly their flag over the district center of Now Zad in Helmand province a few weeks back and reports indicate that it is still flying. Afghan government officials say that they have taken the district back from the Taliban. Of course, it is easy to say you control the district (in Afghanistan this means the few buildings found within the compound walls of the district center) when you move the district governor's office to a different location! Robert Gates, a former Department of Defense Secretary noted in his book Duty (see caption of 10th picture starting at page 306) that he wondered if the heavy cost in U.S. Marine casualties was worth the taking of Now Zad from the Taliban. Read more in a news report by Reuters, August 18, 2015.

Insider Attack Investigation. A year ago MG Harold Greene was killed in an insider attack at an Afghan training facility. An investigation has revealed some facts of the incident. Read "Completely betrayed: An investigation into the insider attack that killed a 2-star general", Stars and Stripes, August 19, 2015. Read more about the insider threat.

Afghan Clerics Speak Up. It appears that some of Afghanistan's Islamist leaders may be eager (a strong word probably) to undermine the appeal of insurgents by questioning their religious credentials and violent campaigns. Read more in "Afghan Clerics Vocal in Challenging Taliban Narrative", Gandhara Blog, August 20, 2015.

Afghan Children and Mines. The Daily Mail has published a news report about the harrowing plight of children maimed in Afghanistan by the thousands of landmines scattered across the country after decades of war. (Aug 21, 2015).

Women's Attire and the Taliban Landmine Planter. The National Directorate of Security (NDS) recently arrested a Taliban landmine planter dressed like a women in Paktia province. Hmmmm. Read a news report by Khaama Press, Aug 12, 2015.

Taliban Escalation - and Obama Backs Off. Hundreds of civilians have been killed in Afghanistan this month. Taliban attacks are increasing. Read more in "The Taliban Escalate as Obama Edges Out of Afghanistan", The Wall Street Journal, August 20, 2015.

Militias Fighting the Taliban - The Good, Bad and Ugly. Afghanistan has a rich history of militias for good and bad. In a country that has almost always had a decentralized form of government the existence of regional warlords (with their militias) has generally been a fact of life. The inability of the Afghan government and its Afghan National Defense Security Forces (ANDSF) to defeat the Taliban and other insurgent groups has resulted in some power brokers and regional actors to use local militias to provide security. This brings some good (local forces fighting the Taliban) and bad (militias not under government control victimizing the population) results. The First Vice President, Abdul Rashid Dostrum, is generating support for militias in northern Afghanistan (where he enjoys the most support). Read more in "Afghan Vice President Raises Concerns by Turning to Militias in Taliban Fight", The New York Times, August 18, 2015.

Governance News

Afghans Celebrate Independence Day. On Wednesday, August 19th Afghanistan celebrated its 96th anniversary of independence from Britain. Our Secretary of State, John Kerry, provides us with a statement - Afghan Independence Day, August 19, 2015.

Kabul Revenue Failings. In a country as cash-poor as Afghanistan the raising of revenue is critical. Especially in a time where international aid is being cut dramatically along with the reduction of foreign forces (and the significant decrease of money that brings). So it is troubling to learn that Afghanistan's capital city is having difficulty collecting funds owed. Read more in "Kabul Municipality Fails to Collect City Revenue", Tolo News, August 19, 2015.

Report: Countering Corruption & Revenue Loss. A recent report containing transparency recommendations is entitled Policy Recommendations to Counter Corruption and Revenue Loss in Afghanistan, available on the SOLLIMS website, dated June 18, 2015.
www.pksoi.org/index.cfm?disp=cdrview.cfm&cdrid=1392

NIC Update. The Afghan government has been slow to roll out their National Identity Card. The international community is threatening funding cuts because of the delays. Read more in "e-NIC Chief Urges Govt to Act on Roll Out", Tolo News, August 20, 2015.

Human Freedom Index. The Human Freedom Index (HFI) measures a broad range of human freedom, understood as the absence of coercive constraint. It uses 76 distinct indicators of personal and economic freedom in the following areas: Rule of law, security and safety, movement, religion, civil society, expression, relationships, size of government, legal system and property rights, access to sound money, freedom to trade internationally, and regulation of credit, labor, and business. The index ranked 152 countries. The top 10 freest countries were (in order): Hong Kong, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Ireland, United Kingdom, and Sweden. The United States is ranked 20th. The ten countries with the lowest score were Chad, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Algeria, Central African Republic, Yemen, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Iran. The word "Afghanistan" is no where to be found in the document. You can read the index online at The Human Freedom Index, Fraser Institute (CATO Institute, IED, Visio, and others), 2015.

UN Radio Series for Young Afghans. A United Nations radio series on youth in politics is expected to reach an audience of 800,000 Afghans across four northeastern provinces in the coming weeks. The series will encourage young people to participate in politics. Read more in a news update from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), August 16, 2015.

IDLG Assessing Provincial Councils. The Independent Directorate of Local Governance announced that the organization will be assessing the working procedures, performance, and authority of the provincial councils. See a news report by Tolo News, August 16, 2015.

Development News

Four Reforms Necessary for Afghanistan's Economy. According to one observer Afghanistan's economy will be able to stand on its own feet if the Afghan government begins with four reforms. The author, Dr. Mohammad Hotak,is the president of the British-Afghan Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Read "From Aid to Trade", Foreign Policy, August 19, 2015.

Quality of Girl's Education in Afghanistan. Arne Strand examines the state of girls education in "Expanding and improving the quality of girls' education in Afghanistan", Brookings Institute, August 19, 2015.

Is IRD on the Upbound? The International Relief and Development (IRD) firm has had a tough year but that might be over. Once the darling of USAID in Afghanistan it fell under investigation and for a while was barred from USAID contracts. But now it appears the firm is back in business. Read "IRD's return from the brink", DEVEX, August 20, 2015.

Teacher & Education Crisis in Afg. Two writers have penned a paper about a teacher crisis and the quality of education in Afghanistan. Read "Too Few, Badly Paid, and Unmotivated", Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN), August 22, 2015.

Is a "Special Representative" of the UN needed for Aid Workers? A recent news report by IRIN (Aug 18, 2015) informs us of a movement for the establishment of a United Nations Special Representative to advance the safety of humanitarian workers around the globe. Read "On World Humanitarian Day, a new idea to protect aid workers".

AAF News

Airlift Contract for AAF. The Afghan Air Force will be supported by MAG DC Corp out of Woodbridge, Virginia. MAG DC was recently awarded a $12 million contract for airlift support for the Afghan Air Force. It has a completion date of August 2018.

Profile of USAF Chaplain Team for TAAC-Air. Learn about the chaplain team deployed to Afghanistan to support AAF advisors in "USAF chaplain team supports TAAC-Air, provides for diverse religious needs", DVIDS, August 22, 2015.

AAF and the VMTP. The Train, Advise, Assist Command - Air (TAAC-Air) has advisors and contractors working to refine Afghan Air Force logistics, reduce new acquisitions and programs and create a sustainable and capable air force to support the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces in the coming years. The Vehicle Maintenance Training Program (VMTP) is one focus area that will get the AAF to this sustainable state. Read more in "Afghan Air Force trains to develop vehicle maintenance master instructors", DVIDS, August 20,2015.

SOF News

Comments on JSOC and Hitting the Taliban. Gary Owen of the Sunny in Kabul Blog has penned a piece examining the targeting killing of the Taliban leadership, its effectiveness, and more in "Yes, The Taliban are Worse than Ever", August 18, 2015.

Blackbird Technologies Contract. Raytheon Blackbird Technologies has won a U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) - Wide Mission Support (SWMS) contract to provide program management and technical services to special operations forces (SOF) around the world. Blackbird's core competencies are: persistent surveillance, reconnaissance products, cyber security,and global intelligence systems. (Military Embedded Systems, August 19, 2015.

Academi Contract for Afghanistan. The Academi Training Center, LLC from Moyock, North Carolina (used to be part of Blackwater) has been awarded an $8 million contract for facility service support and private security contract / armed security in Afghanistan. The estimated completion date is May 2018. Camp Integrity where the Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan (SOJTF-A) is based is an Academi facility rented by the U.S. military. It was recently attacked during a spate of bombings in Kabul - with one U.S. Green Beret KIA and several Afghan security contractors killed.

Aeromedical Evacuation and Camp Integrity. One Green Beret lost his life in mid-August during a Taliban attack on the hqs of the Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan (SOJTF-A) located near the Kabul International Airport. In addition, several Afghan security contractors died and there were numerous wounded. A recent news release provides more information on the medical evacuation of the wounded to regional medical facilities as well as onward to a medical facility in Germany. Read "455th EAES provides critical bridge between battlefields, higher-level care", DVIDS, August 17, 2015.

Green Beret Getting Kicked Out of Army for Afghan Actions. An eleven-year veteran of the Army is getting axed by the Army for actions he took in Afghanistan in saving a 12-year old boy who was being raped by an Afghan police commander. He got into a physical altercation with the Afghan policeman over the issue and was relieved of his position and now is faced with discharge from the Army. Read more in "Army kicking out decorated Green Beret who stood up for Afghan rape victim", Fox News, August 21, 2015.

Afghan Interpreters

The United States Department of State failed miserably over the last decade in 'taking care' of its Afghan interpreters (denying visas for those wishing to relocate to the United States). In the past few years it appears that DoS is making a greater effort although sometimes it is difficult to motivate the bureaucracy. The U.S. is not the only nation with a poor track record of taking care of their Afghan interpreters. Other coalition nations have fell short as well. 

Has the UK Abandoned its Afghan Interpreters? The United Kingdom has come under attack by critics but the UK Ministry of Defence has issued a clarification saying such claims are "completely erroneous". Read more in "HMG Policy on Afghan Interpreters", Defence in the Media Blog, GOV.UK, August 21, 2015.

New Zealand and Interpreters. A recent news report states that Afghan interpreters given residency after working with Kiwi troops are calling on the Government to allow them to bring their parents and siblings to New Zealand. Read more in a news report by 3 News, August 18, 2015.

UK Afghan Interpreter Slain by Taliban. An Afghan interpreter who was denied asylum by the UK has been captured and executed while trying to flee the Taliban. Read more in "Britain's shame: Afghan hero interpreter refused asylum is slaughtered by Taliban", Daily Express, August 18, 2015.

A Little History - Germans in Afghanistan WWI

Over one hundred years ago during World War I the Germans attempted to influence events in Afghanistan. Thomas Ruttig of the Afghanistan Analyst Network (AAN) provides us a glimpse of events long ago in two online articles:

"Afghanistan in World War I (1): Afghans in the Kaiser's jihad", July 27, 2014.

"Afghanistan in World War I (2): England must lose India - Afghanistan as a German bridgehead", August 19, 2015.

Kabul Convoy Attack: 12 Dead, 3 U.S. Contractors

An insurgent targeted a convoy with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) in Kabul on Saturday, August 22nd. Twelve people were killed and at least 66 others wounded - including three American contractors. The explosives-laden Toyota Corolla attacked the convoy in the Macrorayan area of Kabul on Saturday afternoon. Some initial reports indicate that the three U.S. personnel were contractors for DynCorp.
www.cnn.com/2015/08/22/asia/afghanistan-violence/index.html

Afghan War News Snippets

DIVIDEND$. The August 2015 monthly newsletter (really just a one page PDF) for the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan (CSTC-A) is now posted online. Topics include joint budgeting process, rule of law conference (attended by Afghans and EF3 advisors), and anti-corruption. http://www.rs.nato.int/images/media/150821augustdividends.pdf

COIN and FETs in Afghanistan. Gabrielle Cook has conducted an thorough analysis of the Female Engagement Teams (FETs) performance. Read Counterinsurgency and Female Engagement Teams in the War in Afghanistan. E-International Relations, August 16, 2015.

DoD Dir - Language & Culture Program. The Department of Defense has release a new directive entitled Defense Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture Program (DLRECP), DoD Directive No. 5160.41E, August 21, 2015.
www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/516041p.pdf

JMRC - A Lab for a Complex World. The Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) at Hohenfels, Germany has an excellent reputation for training up European Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams or OMLTs (and later the SFAATs) for their subsequent deployment to Afghanistan as advisors. (I observed two training rotations during 2013 and I was very impressed). Advisor training for NATO has shifted to the Joint Forces Training Center (JFTC) in Poland and JMRC has a change in focus. A recent article posted online provides us an update in "A Laboratory for Preparing Forces to Win in a Complex World", by William R. Orkins, Small Wars Journal, August 20, 2015.

"What Are We Still Doing in Afghanistan?" A combat tourist (okay, he is a news photojournalist) gives us his take on his recent trip to Afghanistan - photos and all. (Slate, August 19, 2015).

Expatriates Sticking it Out in Kabul. Despite the pullout of most international troops in 2013-2014, increased success of the Taliban on the battlefield, inability of the ANDSF to defeat the insurgency, and continued bombings and attacks in Kabul a determined group of expatriates have decided not to leave. Read more in "There's Something Here - The Expatriates Sticking it Out in Afghanistan", Radio Free Europe, August 20, 2015.

CoC of Army Field Support Battalion - Afghanistan. There was a change of command for the Army Field Support Battalion - Afghanistan held on August 5th. Read more in "Susnis hands over command of AFSBn-Afghanistan", DVIDS, August 19, 2015. 

Australian Advisors. There are about 400 Australian Defence Force personnel deployed across Afghanistan in a variety of roles as part of Operation Highroad, supporting the NATO-led Resolute Support mission. Read about three of the advisors working in the EOD field in a very short news release by EPE, August 17, 2015. Not much text but some good photos.

EF5 from DCOS-SPT to DCOS-SA. The Essential Function 5 (Force Sustainment) advisors have transitioned from Deputy Chief of Staff - Support to Deputy Chief of Staff - Security Assistance.

DoD IG Audit. The DoD Inspector General's office will be conducting an audit in August 2015 to determine whether contracting officer's representatives were properly appointed and trained and were able to effectively perform their oversight responsibilities for contracts in Afghanistan. See a DoD IG letter announcing the audit.

PTSD and Women. Robert Gebelhoff has penned an article entitled "Military women are at the same risk of PTSD as men, study finds", The Washington Post, August 21, 2015.

Origins of the "Woobie". The Woobie or poncho liner was the greatest invention ever fielded by the U.S. Army. It is warm (even when wet), lightweight, easy to pack, multi-purposed and revered by infantrymen. The poncho liner has been a staple of deployed life since it was first introduced in Vietnam. I never called it a "Woobie" - just called it a poncho liner. Hmmm. Learn more in an article posted on Task & Purpose (August 18, 2015).

Afghan ANA Officer Missing in Australia. The ANA member was attending a training course at the Asia Pacific Center for Military Law. He was last seen in the foyer of his hotel in Sydney waiting for relatives. (Khaama Press, Aug 18, 2015).

JIEDDO Becomes JIDA. The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization or JIEDDO has now morphed into the Joint Improvised Threat-Defeat Agency or JIDA. JIDA is charged with targeting threats that are improvised but not necessarily limited to explosive. Read more in "JIDA: The next chapter of anti-improvised weapons efforts", C4ISR & Networks, August 18, 2015.

Signup for Weekly Afghan Newsletter

You can receive the Afghan War News Newsletter by email. 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 every Sunday. 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.

Confusing ALP with Illegal Militias

A recent news article by Carlo Munoz in Stars and Stripes (August 8, 2015) informs us about militias in northern Afghanistan.

 "The re-emergence of government-backed local militias in northern Afghanistan outweighs the benefits for the fight against the Taliban because those armed groups could turn into "hired guns" for warlords and bandits once the insurgent threat subsides, coalition military officers say."

The author of this article, manages to insert a comment about the Afghan Local Police or ALP in his writing - which lumps the ALP in a grouping with illegal or informally government-supported militia's - a common mistake that leads to confusion about militias and the ALP.
www.stripes.com/news/military-leaders-worry-about-afghan-militias-1.362114

SOF News

Special Forces Soldier Killed in Kabul Bomb Blast. The Department of Defense announced the death of MSG Peter A. McKenna of Bristol, Rhode Island. He was killed during a Taliban attack on Camp Integrity (Kabul) at the headquarters of the Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan (SOJTF-A). (DoD News Release, Aug 9, 2015). The United States Army Special Forces Command (USASOC) issued a press release (August 10, 2015) on his death.

Google Earth and Calling in Air Strikes. For a short period (and maybe even today) SOF advisors to the ANASF kandaks were teaching the tricks of using Google Earth to do Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield. Looks like this is being done in Syria as well. It appears that Kurdish militia fighters are using Android-powered Samsung tablets and free Google Earth mapping tools to track battle lines and coordinate close air support with the US military. I wonder if our EF 7 advisors are expounding upon the virtues of Google Earth when they interact with the ANA Corps MI kandaks? Read "Google Earth is Helping Syrians Call in US Air Strikes", Defense One, August 11, 2015.

CONOP Process Broke. The Best Defense Blog shares with us the complexity involved for a Special Forces unit to get approval to conduct a relatively minor mission in Afghanistan. Read "Tales of War: Getting 12 approvals for a relatively minor mission in Afghanistan", Foreign Policy, July 22, 2015.

SMW Fleet Maintenance. Most of the maintenance for Special mission Wing (SMW) is now performed by contract technicians. As new Afghan aircraft mechanics complete their training and become more proficient they are assigned to support the maintenance effort. It is hoped that in three to five years, the Afghans can take over the entire maintenance operation. Read more in "Special Mission Wing maintenance training aims at sustaining fleet", DVIDS, August 12, 2015.

Brit SF Still Kicking Down Doors in Afghanistan. Read more in "British special forces back in Afghanistan tackling Taliban and Islamic State terrorists", The Mirror, August 15, 2015.

JSOC ignoring Taliban as Bombings Rise. One news report says that America's most elite troops are largely ignoring the militants who once sheltered al Qaeda. Read "Insurgent Bombings Rise as U.S. Eases off the Taliban", By Sean D. Naylor, Foreign Policy, August 14, 2015.

CSTs and SOF in Afghanistan. Gary Owen provides us his opinion about Cultural Support Teams (CSTs), women in the Rangers, and women in combat in "Of Course the CSTs were Women", Sunny in Kabul Blog, August 14, 2015.

LTG Cleveland Interview. LTG Charles Cleveland, former commander of USASOC and SOCCENT, is interviewed by the Fletcher Security Review on a variety of topics to include special operations. Read "Special Operations Today: FSR Interviews LTG Charles Cleveland", FSR, Vol. 2, No. 2, August 12, 2015.

MG Kraft Now Leads SF Command. MG Jim Kraft, an SF officer who has seen multiple deployments to Afghanistan, is now in command of Special Forces Command (USASFC). Kraft has commanded at many levels to include the CJSOTF-A. In addition, he served as deputy commander of CFSOCC-A recently. Read more in a news report by The Fayetteville Observer, August 13, 2015.

Security News

Kunduz Bombing Death Toll Rises. According to some news reports the death toll from a recent bombing (Sat, Aug 8) reached 29 people. Many of those killed were members of a militia fighting the Taliban in Khanabad district. Read more in a news report by Gandhara Blog, August 9, 2015.

Kandahar Road Blast. Two civilians were killed in a roadside mine blast in Kandahar on Sunday, 9 Aug. Nine were wounded in the attack on the passenger bus.

15 Police Killed in Helmand Attack. A large group of Afghan policemen were killed in Musa Qala district of  Helmand province when Taliban insurgents attacked their post. (Afghanistan Times, August 12, 2015).

BG Shoffner Discusses Afghan Forces. Shoffner briefed the Pentagon press corps live from Kabul by telephone where he discusses a range of topics about security, the ANDSF, and Islamic State in Afghanistan. Read a DoD News article (August 13, 2015).

Dostum on Front Lines. Vice President Dostum has been visiting the front lines in northern Afghanistan wearing a military uniform and body armor. Two of his sons are performing duties as bodyguard to the VP. Read more in a news report (Tolo News, Aug 11, 2015).

Drone Strikes. According to some Afghan government sources a large number of Taliban and Daesh insurgents have been killed in numerous drone strikes in eastern Nangarhar province over the past month. (Tolo News, Aug 11, 2015).

Drone Crash. A U.S. drone is reported to have crashed in Kapisa province in the last week.

Pakistan Continues Cross-Border Rocket Attacks. The governor of Kunar confirmed on Sunday (Aug 9) that over the past several days at least 43 rockets have hit the border areas of Kunar province killing one civilian and wounding a nine-year-old Afghan child. The cross border firing of rockets and artillery by the Pakistan military has long been a source of tension between the two nations. Not to mention the ISI's support of the Taliban. (Tolo News, Aug 9, 2015).

"Aren't You Afraid to Live in Afghanistan?" A civilian from Canada living in Kabul for the past ten years answers the question. (The Huffington Blog, Aug 11, 2015).

Kabul Airport Car Bomb. A car bomb killed four (maybe five) and wounded more than 15 people near Kabul airport on Monday, August 10th. The incident took place at the first Entry Control Point (ECP).

IMU with Taliban or ISIS? There is confusion among many observers of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan as to how the group is aligned. Some think that it is still allied with the Taliban while recent press releases indicate it has become part of the Islamic State. Read more in "Who Controls the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan?", The Diplomat, August 15, 2015.

Guide to U.S. Military Casualty Statistics. An August 7th report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) is available. www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RS22452.pdf

Combat-Related TBI. A new report  by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) obscures the extent of combat-related traumatic brain injuries. Read more in Military.com, August 12, 2015.

Can Civilian Academics Offer Advise to the Military on Defense Policy? Hmmmm. Maybe their advise is not as good as they think. Read more in "Political Scientists and the Military", The RAND Blog, August 10, 2015.

Afghan MPs receive training from TAAC-Air. Advisors from the Train Advise Assist Command - Air provided training to Afghan military police from the Kabul Air Wing. Read more in a news report by DVIDS, August 14, 2015.

ANDSF Clearing Opn in Nangarhar. The distrrcts of Khogyani, Sherzad, and Hisarak have been the brunt of an Afghan security forces 'clearing operation'. This large and multi-organizational operation involving the ANA, ANP and other elements was designed to disrupt networks of Taliban and other 'enemies of Afghanistan'. One goal is to provide continued security to the area; something that most clearing operations fail to do - especially in these three districts where the ANA only ventures periodically. Read more in a cheerleading-like news release by RS HQs (DVIDS, Aug 15, 2015).

Kabul Friends of Chicago. There are lots of international groups and organizations in Afghanistan assisting with security, governance and development. Here is one I never heard of before. It seems it consists of representatives from 10 donor nations and they were recently presented with a series of briefs by the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan (CSTC-A). I guess that brief can be boiled down to "Yes, you have given us lots of your donor money and we know that half of it is now invested in Dubai real estate . . . but we feel that the Afghan government and security forces - despite advances by the Taliban on the battlefield - are making great progress." Read more in "International partners strategize funding for Afghanistan's future", Resolute Support News, August 12, 2015.

Drug Smuggling Arrests Increase. The Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF) has reported that drug crime arrests are up by five percent from the same period last year. Read "2015 Sees Increase in Drug Smuggling Arrests", Tolo News, August 11, 2015.

Now Zad District Flying Taliban Flag. Afghan government officials confirm that the Taliban now control the district of Now Zad in Helmand province. The district was overrun by the Taliban a few weeks back at the end of July. ANA vehicles and equipment were captured. (The Long War Journal).

13,000 ANDSF Dead in 3 Years. While Resolute Support Headquarters is quite quick to proclaim the number of Taliban attacks is down since last year there are a couple of statistics that shed more light on the topic of how well the Afghan security forces are doing. In the last three years the security forces have suffered over 13,000 killed. This current year will likely see a 40% increase in fatalities. Certainly not good news no matter how you try to smear on the lipstick. Read more in an ABC news report, August 14, 2015.

Ashraf Ghani blasts Pakistan. On Monday, August 10th President Ghani posted on Twitter the following: "We can no longer tolerate to see our people bleeding in a war exported and imposed from outside." Has he finally lost patience with Pakistan? The recent string of Kabul bombings may have ended the 'pivot to Pakistan'. He presented a speech on Monday afternoon (August 10th) slamming Pakistan. Read more in a press report by Tolo News, August 10, 2015. Read also "Ghani Closes Window on Pakistan", Gandhara, August 11, 2015.

Security News In Closing - "Things are not actually going so great in Afghanistan". A foreign policy essay on the Lawfare Blog by Gary Owen (not his real name) wrote on Sunday, August 9, 2015.

Security News In Closing - "Things Are Not That Bad in Afghanistan". At least, according to Michael O'Hanlon. He writes as much in a news posting on the National Interest Blog (August 6, 2015). He provides us with his perspective on a recent discussion with General Campbell (RS Cdr) on August 4, 2015 at the Brookings Institution.

Development News

Report on Canada's Afghanistan Development Program. The Canadian government hired the Dutch company Ecorys Netherlands in 2013 to conduct an evaluation of the Canadian development program in Afghanistan. The report was completed in the spring of 2015 and is posted online. The report suggests that the Canadian mission lacked a clear vision and failed to fully grasp the origins of the conflict in Afghanistan. Read more in "Early Afghanistan development mission lacked focus, report finds", iPolitics, August 10, 2015.

Paper on Development and Conflict. Todd Diamond, a development analyst and practitioner with more that 20 years of experience, provides us with his thoughts on the role of development in conflicts (pre-, during, and post-). Read "Development Challenges and Tools in Conflict Environments", Fletcher Security Review, August 3, 2015.

Underutilized Power Plant built by USAID. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) published a letter on August 13 highlighting its concerns about the Tarakhil Power Plant located outside of Kabul. Although the power plant is supposed to be a vital component of the electrical grid serving Kabul it appears that this $335 million power plant continues to be severely underutilized - even in the midst of very bad power shortages in Kabul. The plant is operating at 1 % of its capacity over the past year. Read the SIGAR letter.

Peace Talks

Afghan Peace Talks. A listing of news reports and publications about Afghan peace talks is available here: www.afghanwarnews.info/peacetalks.htm

Thematic Dossier by AAN. The Afghanistan Analysts Network or AAN has provided us (dated August 4, 2015) with their Thematic Dossier X: Peace talks and reconciliation which is a comprehensive guide to the history of the Afghan peace talks.

Pakistan and Peace Talks. While the Pakistan government postures to the world about the need for peace talks the Pakistan intelligence service continues support the Taliban in its insurgency against the government of Afghanistan. Most observers see a fracturing of the Taliban leadership in the wake of the announcement that Mullah Omar is now "officially dead". Pakistan says that until the Taliban resolve the leadership question it is unlikely that peace talks will resolve anything. Probably just the way the Pakistanis want things. (VOA News, Aug 9, 2015).

Afghan Air Force (AAF)

MD Cayuse Warrior Choppers now in Combat. The long awaited arrival of the Afghan Air Force's MD-520F Cayuse Warrior scout-attack helicopter on the field of battle has occurred. It appears that the helicopter has made its first foray into the fray in some rural districts south of Jalalabad. The helicopters have been armed with 50 calibre machine guns and armored protection. (Flight Global, Aug 12, 2015). Read also "Afghan Air Force to receive 5 More Attack Helicopters", The Diplomat, August 14, 2015. In addition, Khaama Press (August 13, 2015) chats on the same topic.

Afghan Visit to U.S. Air University. Two Afghan Air Force officers from Pohantoon-e-Hawayee (PeH) or the Afghan Air Academy visited the United States Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. (Where it almost gets as hot as Afghanistan!). They were escorted by a TAAC-Air senior advisor. Read more in a news release by DVIDS, August 15, 2015.

Intel & CT News

"The Dead Drop". A new intelligence website provides with intel tidbits on various topics to include the declassification of secret documents, the buzz on the CIA's reorganization, and more.

http://www.thecipherbrief.com/articles/dead-drop

Islamic State in Afghanistan

IS to Benefit from Fractured Taliban. Some analysts believe that that the Islamic State in Afghanistan will benefit from the unrest and confusion within the Taliban ranks (and leadership) as a result of the succession battle since the announced death of Mullah Omar. Mullah Omar was one jihadist that could compete with Abu Bakr al-Baghydadi - the leader of the Islamic State. Read more in "ISIS stands to gain from Taliban crisis", The Guardian, August 10, 2015.

Taliban Unhappy with IS. Afghanistan's Taliban is disenchanted with the Islamic State's video that shows IS militants blowing up bound and blindfolded Afghan prisoners with explosives. The video was supposedly shot in eastern Afghanistan but confirmation of its being authentic is still ongoing. Of course, there was no mention in the Taliban statement of its own brutal history of beheading and killing innocent civilians and captured Afghan soldiers and policemen. (Radio Free Europe, Aug 12, 2015)

U.S. General Says IS Gaining in Afghanistan. A recent news report says that BG Wilson Shoffner said the Islamic State is increasing their capabilities in Afghanistan. Read more in "US General Says Islamic State Gaining in Afghanistan", AP, August 13, 2015.

COIN and Social Psychology

A new manual recently published is entitled Trust, Attitudes, and Social Influence: The Cross-Cultural Social Psychology of Counterinsurgency. The abstract below describes the pub.

"Dr. Sarai Blincoe wants to provide soldiers with what she believes to be the most effective weapon in contemporary warfare: not an M-16 but the ability to win the trust of local civilians. How U.S. armed forces can leverage psychology to wage successful counterinsurgencies in places like Iraq and Afghanistan is spelled out in a recently published manual co-authored by the Longwood psychology professor. The key to gaining the political support of the local population is understanding and utilizing principles of persuasion, influence and trust, accompanied by cross-cultural awareness, say Blincoe and her co-authors."

Well, everything above is true. But in Afghanistan, even though someone wants to use the methodology described above, there are other factors that will hinder a counterinsurgency effort. For one, massive corruption within the host nation government will be a stumbling block - eroding popular support for the government and security forces. Another problem is the illegitimacy of the supported host nation government (fraudulent elections are an Afghan pastime). Still a third is a host nation army modeled after western conventional armies (with the requisite D-30s, C-130s, MRAPs, multi-echelon corps level operations, etc.). That doesn't mean that the publication presented above is not useful. After all, the war in Afghanistan is a counterinsurgency fight. I know the Resolute Support HQs crowd would say the RS mission is Security Force Assistance (SFA) through its regional and centrally located Train, Advise, and Assist Commands or TAACs but the ANDSF are doing counterinsurgency (or at least they should be). So the pub is worth a read if you are a commander or advisor in Afghanistan.

Read a description of the publication in "Psychologist hopes to aid counterinsurgency efforts with social psychology manual", Longwood University News, August 14, 2015.

Life Under Taliban - Baghran District, Helmand Province

Life under the Taliban rule for the few years that they ran Afghanistan was extremely harsh. Recent proclamations by the Taliban would indicate that they have modified their stances on some of those harsh policies - such as girls attending schools. However, a glimpse of life under the Taliban in Baghran district of Helmand province will provide clues as to how the Taliban would run a future Afghan government. Baghan district is considered by some to be almost completely under Taliban control - the Afghan security forces have thus far been unsuccessful in dislodging them. Read more in "Taliban Present Gentler Face but Wield Iron Fist in Afghan District", The New York Times, August 14, 2015.

Al-Qaeda and the Taliban

The death of Mullah Omar and the emergence of the Islamic State has changed the insurgent (terrorist) landscape in Afghanistan. The Taliban seems to be in competition with the Islamic State; as is al Qaeda. The relationship between the Taliban and al Qaeda would seem to be strengthened over the past few weeks based on some of the "press releases" sent out on behalf of the two groups. Read "Taliban Chief, Facing Struggle for Power, Welcomes Al-Qaeda Alliance", Radio Free Europe, August 15, 2015 and "Al-Qaeda Leader Declares Loyalty to New Afghan Taliban Leader", Radio Free Europe, August 13, 2015.

There are lots of conspiracy theories floating around in the news and on the Internet (some people think those two items are the same). One theory is that the Pakistan ISI is purposely fragmenting the Taliban while putting forth the facade of trying to unit the Taliban in an effort to advance peace talks. Another theory revolves around the al Qaida - Taliban endorsements. Read more in "Complex Conspiracy Theories Shadow al-Qaida-Taliban deal", Voice of America, August 14, 2015.