Afghan War Blog

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Recent Videos on Afghanistan

Engaging with Afghan Civil Society. The Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) from NATO to Afghanistan has provided his insight on how ". . . civil society is a key driver of change . . ." for Afghanistan. Watch video here. (RS HQ video, 1 min, June 14, 2017).

Task Force Southwest supports ANDSF Maiwand Three operations. U.S. Marine advisors are assisting ANA soldiers with the 215th Corps in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The advisors are providing support for the Maiwand Three operation currently underway. Watch video here (RS HQs video, 1-min, June 15, 2017).

Afghan soldiers complete mechanic training. A maintenance chief in the Afghan Army based in Helmand province, Afghanistan tells us how the U.S. is helping his men support the 215th Corp in the fight against insurgents. (RS HQs, 1 min, June 13, 2017).

Afghan War Blog Snippets

Ford Pickups - Right Country; Wrong Paint Job. Last month (May 2017) a freelance journalist took a photograph of Ford Ranger pickup trucks with the Afghan National Army's (ANA) logo on them. A lot of speculation occurred in the media on how that could happen. Rumors about corrupt Afghan officials selling them, to cross-wires on shipment orders, and other conspiracy theories soon were abundant. The U.S. DoD did a little investigation and found that the pickup trucks did arrive at the right destination - but just with the wrong paint job. The Iraqi MoD decided not to paint over the ANA logo . . . it seems. Read "Mistaken paint jobs blamed after dozens of U.S.-funded trucks surface in Iraq with Afghan logos", The Washington Post, June 14, 2017.

'Insider Attack' Victim Speaks Out. Webster Shipley, a civilian project engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, talks about the insider attack on August 5, 2014 at Kabul's Camp Qargha where he was shot twice by an Afghan soldier. Read "Victim of insider attack says US must remain committed to Afghanistan", Stars & Stripes, June 16, 2017.

Guam's 368th MP Company Completing Tour. The U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from Guam's military police company will soon complete their 9-month tour. They performed two different missions while in Afghanistan. One was a customs mission on Bagram and Kandahar Airfields and the other was a protective detail for COM RS. See "A long way from home: Guam sentinels serve in Afghanistan", DVIDS, June 12, 2017.

Report by Stability Journal on NGO's in Afghanistan. Stability: International Journal of Security & Development has published a research article entitled "NGO Presence and Activity in Afghanistan, 2000-2014: A Provincial-Level Dataset", June 13, 2017.
www.stabilityjournal.org/articles/10.5334/sta.497/

Report by Conciliation Resources on Peace. Conciliation Resources is an independent international organization based in London that works in the conflict field attempting to prevent violence, resolve conflicts, and promote peaceful societies. It has published a new 2-page report (June 2017) entitled Processing peace in Afghanistan.
www.c-r.org/resources/processing-peace-afghanistan

Afghan Interpreter Joins the USMC. Mohammad Nadir worked as an interpreter for the U.S. Marines in Helmand province for three years. Now he is serving in the U.S. military. Read "Afghan interpreter fulfills dream of becoming a U.S. Marine", Marine Corps Times, June 13, 2017.

Jail Time for 219th Corps Leaders. The 209th Corps military court found 34 Army personnel guilty of negligence in relation to the Camp Shaheen attack that left over 100 ANA soldiers dead. Read "34 Army Personnel Get Jail Terms Over Shaheen Corps Attack", Tolo News, June 14, 2017.

Stay Informed on Afghan Events!

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Sunday, June 11, 2017

Afghan War Blog Weekly Newsletter for June 11, 2017

Welcome to the Afghan War Blog Weekly Newsletter. Articles are posted online on the blog and sent out via email newsletter on Sunday morning. We welcome comments, ideas for stories, contributions, and guest writers! Visit our website at www.afghanwarnews.info, follow us on Twitter at @AfghanWarBlog, and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/afghan-war-news.

Blog and Newsletter Resumes Publication

The Afghan War Blog and Weekly Newsletter has returned after a six-month long absence. Several overseas trips (including a few to Afghanistan) precluded posting and publishing activities. However, things are back to normal and you should expect to see the weekly updates posted online and emailed to you if a subscriber. Should you no longer wish to receive the newsletter then it is easy to unsubscrib - see note at bottom of the email.

Three U.S. Service Members Killed in Afghanistan on June 10, 2017 in Insider Attack

Three U.S. service members were killed in an apparent insider attack in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan on Saturday, June 10, 2017. The killer was reported to be a member of the Afghan Special Service Force (ASSF). He was killed immediately after the attack. One U.S. service member was wounded in the attack. Read a news release on the incident by the Department of Defense, Three U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan, June 10, 2017.

Kabul Process for Peace and Security Cooperation

The government of Afghanistan convened the first meeting of the "Kabul Process for Peace and Security Cooperation" on June 6, 2017 in Kabul. Representatives of regional nations as well as the international community were invited to attend. President Ghani outlined Afghanistan's new vision and strategy for peace - in an attempt to gain regional and international support. It is hoped that the "Kabul Process" will provide an overarching process that will serve as an umbrella for the various peace and reconciliation forums of the past, present, and future. It is also anticipated that the "Kabul Process" will position the Afghan government as the key driving force for achieving peace - with support from regional powers and other international partners and actors. More information and resources about the Kabul Process can be found below:

Kabul Process - Peace and Security Cooperation by Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://mfa.gov.af/en/page/the-kabul-process

Kabul Peace Process: A Time for Solidarity, by Office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, June 6, 2017. http://president.gov.af/en/SOKP

"Afghanistan's 'Kabul Process' Kicks Off Amid Regional Shifts", by Aveek Sen, The Diplomat, June 9, 2017.

4-Year ANDSF Roadmap

Over the past several months the Afghan security institutions have developed a strategic plan to enhance the capacity and capability of its security forces, professionalize its military and police leadership, and defeat the insurgents. This strategic plan has been named the "Afghan National Defense and Security Forces 4-year Roadmap". The Afghan government and NATO commanders have worked together to develop this strategic plan with the over-arching goal of expanding " . . . Afghan government control over more territory, increase the proportion of the population residing in that territory, and compel the Taliban to agree to a peace process leading to reconciliation and an end of hostilities." [1]

The key components of the "4-year Roadmap" are to bolster capability and capacity of the Afghan Air Force (AAF), double the number of Afghan Special Security Forces (ASSF) [2], reduce corruption, professionalize the Afghan senior security leadership and training,and create an environment that fosters unity of effort and command. [3]

[1] Quote is from the Report to the United States Congress, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), April 30, 2017, page 82. The Taliban now control more territory in Afghanistan than at any other time since the time that their regime was toppled in late 2011. The percentage of population living in Taliban controlled or contested areas has significantly increased over the past several years. It is unlikely that the Taliban, having not been defeated on the battlefield, will come to the peace table any time soon.

[2] The ASSF consist of the MoD's Afghan National Army Special Operations Command (ANASOC) and MoI's General Command of Police Special Units (GCPSU). The ASSF is considered by many to be the only professional military or police organizations within the ANDSF. The Special Mission Wing (SMW) is sometimes grouped within the ASSF. Over the past few years 70% of the offensive operations have been conducted by the ASSF.

[3] See a short 2-min long video published by Resolute Support HQs featuring Lt. Gen. Jurgen Weigt, Chief of Staff, Resolute Support Mission that outlines the key components of the 4-year Roadmap. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPzk8CVgRGI

Marines Set Up Task Force Southwest in Helmand Province

In 2014 Regional Command South West (RC SW) was dis-established as part of the draw down of forces across Afghanistan. While other regional commands (2-star organizations) were replaced by 'Train Advise and Assist Commands' (1-star organizations) the RCs for the 203rd and 215th Corps were just disbanded. Resolute Support HQs attempted to provide 'long-range expeditionary advising' to these two corps but . . . well, that's another story.

In 2015 it was determined that a full-time presence was needed in Helmand province as the security situation had deteriorated drastically in that area of Afghanistan. A small U.S. Army contingent called Task Force Forge was dispatched to provide training, advice, and assistance and to coordinate for enablers (air support, etc.) when needed. In the spring of 2017 Task Force Forge was replaced by a Marine contingent called Task Force Southwest. Read some news reports about the activities of Task Force Southwest below.

May 24, 2017. Working Together: Marine advisors with Task Force Southwest hit the ground running, DVIDS.

May 25,2017. "Marine Advisors Train Afghan Soldiers, Police", Department of Defense.

January 9, 2017. Task Force South West - Marines Return to Helmand Province, SOF News.

Commentary

Does Afghanistan Deserve One More Chance? The White House will soon determine if the request for 3,000 to 5,000 more troops for Afghanistan will be honored. These additional bodies will provide more advisors (some at the tactical level), more close air support, and more Special Forces operators. A key component of the assistance that the Afghans need is in the form of advisors. But the advisors need to be high quality people that are forward deployed with Afghan tactical units. However, this increase in support to Afghanistan should not be unconditional or open ended. 'Conditionality' should be applied to the Afghan security forces and to the Afghan government. Corrupt Afghan security officers and government officials need to be removed. Ineffective and incompetent Army and police senior leaders need to be replaced. Read more in a report by Anthony H. Cordesman of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) published on June 5, 2017 entitled Giving Afghanistan a Fighting "Last Chance".

Afghanistan: In a State of Chaos. Ben Anderson, reporting in Vice News says that "Afghanistan has Collapsed Into Chaos" in a report dated June 7, 2017. Doom and gloom.

In Interests of Peace Should Afghans Forget the Past? Most insurgencies don't end with a military victory but with reconciliation. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has returned to Kabul with a warm welcome from government officials but many older Kabul residents remember the past. Read "Afghanistan: Is Peace Possible Without Justice?", The Olive Branch, United States Institute for Peace, June 7, 2017.

Pakistan - Afghanistan Relations. One observer tries to make sense of the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Not so sure the article attains this goal. See "Blame Game and Pak-Afghan Relations", Eurasia Review, June 11, 2017.

Kabul in Midst of Political Crisis. Ahmed Rashid, a Pakistani journalist and author, provides his perspective on the lack of public confidence in President Ashraf Ghani in "Viewpoint: Can Afghan leader tackle crisis of confidence?", BBC News, June 6, 2017.

Staying the Course in Afghanistan. Helle Dale, writing in The Daily Signal (June 8, 2017) tells us "Why the US Must Stay the Course in Afghanistan".

An Economic Approach to Helping Afghanistan. Jennifer Staats believes that the United States should join India and China in building economic opportunities for Afghanistan. Read "To Help Afghanistan, Leverage China's Investments", The Olive Branch, United States Institute for Peace (USIP), June 6, 2017.

Podcast on Washington's New Afghan Strategy. A 34-minute podcast featuring two observers - Douglas Wissing and Sameer Lalwani - of the Afghan conflict is presented by Gandhara, June 6, 2017.

Killing Mullah Mansour - Did it Achieve Objectives? In May 2016 President Obama authorized a military drone strike against the leader of the Taliban as he was traveling through Pakistan in a vehicle. Did the 'decapitation' strike achieve anything of consequence? Or did it set back the progress of peace talks with the Taliban and cause resentment with the Pakistan government? Read Did Killing Mansour Work?, by Micah Zenko and Jennifer Wilson, Council of Foreign Relations, May 25, 2017.

Renewed Calls for Afghan Peace Talks

Renewed Calls for Peace Talks. Recent territorial gains by the Taliban have caused many observers to conclude that there will not be a military victory against the insurgents. By some estimates the Taliban now control over 40% of the countryside - mostly rural areas. High profile attacks such as the recent bombing at the gates of the 'Green Zone' causing the death of over 150 people and the killing of over 130 Afghan National Army soldiers at Camp Shaheen in northern Afghanistan cast doubt on the ANDSF's ability to provide security to Afghanistan. The continued use of sanctuaries in Pakistan by insurgents, incompetent and ineffective senior leadership of the Afghan police and Army, and rampant corruption at all levels of government leads many commentators to believe that the security situation will not change for the better. There are now renewed calls and pressure for the Afghan government to engage in negotiations with the Taliban and other insurgent groups to end the conflict.

New Leader for High Peace Council. President Ghani has appointed Karim Khalili as the new head fo the Afghanistan High Peace Council. Khalili is a former vice-president. The question remains whether Ghani will give the HPC a real role of if this is just another symbolic appointment.

June 4,2017, "German Foreign Minister Gabriel calls for peace talks with Taliban", Deutsche Welle.

June 6, 2017. "Mattis: Taliban Can't Be Part of a Political Solution in Afghanistan", The Weekly Standard. The statements of SECDEF Jim Mattis are interesting. Is this a break from previous U.S. positions that a negotiated peace is the only way to end the conflict? Hmmmm.

Annotated Bibliography for Resolute Support

The Annotated Bibliography for Resolute Support is updated periodically. The ISAF mission ended on December 31, 2014 and the NATO Resolute Support mission started on January 1, 2015. The Resolute Support mission is primarily Security Force Assistance along functional areas at the ministry, institutional, and ANA corps level. The bibliography will be very helpful for advisors at all levels in Afghanistan as well as staff members of the RS mission. It has links to hundreds of documents, papers, publications, and websites about advising, the Afghan National Security Forces, and Afghanistan. The publication is an Adobe Acrobat PDF, is just over 200 pages long, and is less than 3 MBs big. You can read online or download at the link below.

www.afghanwarnews.info/pubs/RSM-Bibliography.htm

Afghan War Glossary

In every military there is a huge amount of terms, acronyms, phrases, and words that are unrecognizable to the non-military members of society. To a newly deployed member of the military assigned to Afghanistan - the slang, abbreviations, and definitions used in theater can be perplexing as well. It takes a while to learn the lingo. For instance many newcomers confuse the terms Afghan and Afghani. To help out Afghan War News has compiled an online glossary.

www.afghanwarnews.info/glossary/afghanglossary.htm

Recent Videos about Afghanistan

"Afghanistan in Crisis: Where to Go From Here". New America hosts a 1 1//2 hour panel discussion on Afghanistan - moderated by Peter Bergen. Panel participants are John Dempsey of New America's International Security Program and Ioannis Koskinas of the Hoplite Group.

Countering IEDs with Helmand Bomb Squad. A video by OF-4 Una Sighvatsdottir of Resolute Support Headquarters provides an overview of counter IED training that the ANA 215th Corps is conducting in Helmand province. Watch the video here. (Video by RS HQs, 4 mins, March 11, 2017).

Learning to defeat Improvised Explosive Devices. Afghan National Army soldiers are attending training courses to learn how to diminish the threat of IEDs or improvised explosive devices.Watch a video of a course provided by Resolute Support advisors and trainers to the 215th Corps here. (Video by RS HQs, 1 min, May 17, 2017).

The Breadwinner - A Story of an Afghan Girl. A trailer has been released about a coming film by the movie actress Angelina Jolie. The movie trailer depicts some scenes of the movie - the story of a young Afghan girl who disguises herself as a boy to support her family. (Video posted by Tolo News, May 17, 2017).

Afghan Special Operations Forces training in Herat, Afghanistan. As part of the Winter Campaign in Afghanistan, members of the Afghan Special Operations Forces completed training at Camp Zafar, Herat. Watch a short video on the training. (RS HQs, May 1, 2017).

Advice for the Marines in Helmand, Afghanistan. The former commander of Task Force Forge provides some advice for the U.S. Marines deploying to Helmand province to standup Task Force Southwest in this Resolute Support HQs video. (30 April 2017, 1-min).

Supporting Rehabilitation for Afghan Prisoners. The Italian military is supporting the foundation of a rehabilitation program that teaches job skills to prisoners at the Parwan Detention Center. Italy donated sewing tools and textiles to the prison. Watch a short video on this topic. (RS HQs, 1 min, May 24, 2017).

Afghan Nationals on the Job Training. A video by Senior Airman Joshua Crowley of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing provides an overview of training provided to Afghan Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs). Watch the video here. (Video by RS HQs, 2 mins, May 22, 2017).

A New Afghan Surge

With every new U.S. presidential administration comes a review of all aspects of foreign policy. The administration of President Trump is in the process of conducting a review of the Afghan conflict - now (at least for the U.S, NATO, and partner nations) in its 16th year. By now, General Nicholson (Resolute Support Commander), General Votel (CENTCOM Commander), and Secretary of Defense Mattis (DoD) have all voiced their concerns and recommendations. Word in the D.C. beltway is that a plan for increasing troop levels by 3,000 to 5,000 is in the works - some are calling this a 'mini-surge". Naturally, there are those that oppose the increase (both within the White House and Congress). Trump (we assume) will make the final decision.

The NATO and other partner nations are quietly being asked to raise their level of commitment as well. The Germans and British have already indicated that they will increase their numbers. It is expected that the European and other nations will increase troop levels collectively in excess of 1,000.

Most of the increased numbers will go towards the advisory effort - known as the 'train, advise, and assist' mission. This doesn't mean that 4,000 to 5,000 new advisors will show up - as many of these additional troops will be supporting the additional advisors (staff, intelligence, force protection, life support, transport, logistics, etc.). Although some of the additional advisors will be spread out among the national security ministries and institutions - it is anticipated that most will go out to the regional ANA corps and ANP police zone headquarters. Some may find themselves advising tactical units below corps level or as members of Expeditionary Advising Platforms (EAPs).

The current strength of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan is about 8,400. A significant increase may bring the troop level back up to the 10,000 mark or higher. Additional readings and info on this topic can be found below:

June 1, 2017. "Can a New US Surge Stabilize Afghanistan?", The Diplomat.

May 30, 2017. "A political surge is what's needed in Afghanistan", The Hill.

June 5,2017. "Why More Troops Won't Help Afghanistan", The New Yorker. Barnett Rubin provides his perspective on the current situation in Afghanistan.

Kabul Truck Bombing Aftermath

The devastating truck bomb on the outskirts of the 'Green Zone' in the diplomatic area of Kabul on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 is still having far-reaching effects. The sewage truck loaded with about 1,500 kgs of explosives killed more than 150 people and wounded more than 300. Afghan intelligence sources say that the explosives came from Pakistan. Many of the killed and wounded were employees of the Roshan telecommunications company. There have been street demonstrations against the Afghan government and subsequent terrorist bombings at funerals of those who died in the truck bombing. The government is in crisis mode with calls for the removal of key security officials by various political parties. Some observers fear that ethnic politics is agitating the fragile security situation and that opportunistic political leaders are using the tragic event to advance their personal positions.

June 6, 2017. "Ghani Says More Than 150 Killed in Kabul Truck Bombing on May 31", Gandhara.

ISIS in Afghanistan Update

U.S. and Afghan special operations forces have been taking the fight to the Islamic State in Khorasan (IS-K) over the past year or so. The strength of IS-K has been reduced from a high of 3,000 (estimates vary) to less than 1,000 (based on April/May estimates). This spring saw a concerted effort on the part of the Afghans and the U.S. to reduce IS-K enclaves in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan. The U.S. has suffered several deaths (SOF Soldiers) in recent months in this region of Afghanistan. The offensive against IS-K received a lot of media attention when the U.S.dropped the Mother of All Bombs or MOAB on Islamic State positions. Although the IS-K's position in Nangarhar province is being diminished there are concerns that the insurgent organization will move on to other more remote areas of Afghanistan - such as Nuristan province. (See a Gandara report on June 4, 2017 entitled "Worries Over New IS Sanctuary in Eastern Afghan Province").

Afghan Corruption - It Just Doesn't Go Away

The U.S. and other nations have long identified corruption as a main factor in support for the insurgency and the ineffectiveness of the government and security institutions to defeat the insurgency. For many long years the international community has worked very hard (some years harder than others) to diminish corruption but still it persists at all levels of the Afghan government and throughout the security institutions. General John R. Allen, USMC and former COMISAF, once said "Corruption is the existential, strategic threat to Afghanistan". Some recent reports and news stories about Afghan corruption are provided below:

May 30, 2017. Industrial-Scale Looting of Afghanistan's Mineral Resources, United States Institute for Peace (USPI). This 20-page report details the large-scale looting of mineral resources amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars per year that fuels local conflicts, the wider insurgency, and supports power brokers and warlords.

May 27, 2017. Inspector general grads to boost anti-corruption efforts, Resolute Support HQs. A press release by RS HQs featuring recent graduates of the Ministry of Defense IG school. The newly minted IGs will join 570 of their IG colleagues operating across Afghanistan.

Afghan War News Snippets

Montenegro Joins NATO. Montenegro has officially become the 29th member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The small Balkan nation on the Adriatic Sea will continue to contribute to the Resolute Support mission primarily with the Train, Advise, and Assist (TAA) mission at Camp Marmal in northern Afghanistan.

Bombing at Herat Mosque. On Tuesday, June 6th a bombing killed at least seven (maybe ten) people at a mosque in the western Afghanistan city of Herat. The bomb was hidden in a motorcycle left in the parking lot outside the mosque. (The Independent, June 6, 2017).

New Book on Afghan War. Aaron B. O'Connell, a veteran of the War in Afghanistan, is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve and a former professor of American history at the U.S. Naval Academy. His has penned a new book recently released (April 2017) entitled Our Latest Longest War. Losing Hearts and Minds in Afghanistan. Available at Amazon.com.
www.amazon.com/Our-Latest-Longest-War-Afghanistan/dp/022626565X/

Current State of Hezb-i Islami. A lot of commentary has been passed on in the media about the negotiated return of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar to Kabul and the Hezb-i Islami group renouncing violence against the Afghan regime. Certainly this event promises to liven up the political environment in Kabul. But how does it affect the Hezb-i Islami foot soldier in the more remote areas of Afghanistan? Franz J. Marty, a freelance journalist based in Afghanistan, recently spent some time with a Hezb-i Islami controlled area in eastern Afghanistan and provides an insightful article on the topic in "Afghan Jihad Frozen in Time?", The Diplomat, April 25, 2017.

U.S. Airstrike Kills Three Afghan ABP Members. Three policemen with the Afghan Border Police (ABP) were killed in a 'friendly fire' incident on June 9, 2017 in southern Afghanistan. (Reuters, June 10, 2017).

The Death of Two NPR Journalists in Afghanistan. Two NPR reporters died in June 2016 in Helmand province. Controversy surrounds the circumstances of their death. Read "Not a Random Attack: New Details Emerge From Investigation of Slain NPR Journalists", NPR, June 9, 2017.

TAAC Air Commander to Move On. BG David Hicks, currently commanding general of Train, Advise, and Assist Command - Air (TAAC Air), will be reassigned to the Pentagon to be Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements.

Blackhawks for Afghanistan - Horrible Idea. The U.S. Congress has effectively killed the ability of the U.S. military to supply the Afghan Air Force with the helicopters it needs. Instead, plans are to provide the AAF with expensive and hard to maintain Blackhawks. This is good for the Sirkorsky folks and politicians in Connecticut but not so good for the Afghans. The fielding plan - using U.S. instead of Russian helicopters - puts back the readiness of the AAF by two to four more years. Read more in a news article in Army Times, May 17,2017.

Fort Hood Unit Completes Afghan Tour. Members of the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade recently returned home after completion of their mission in Afghanistan. During their 9-month tour the unit was responsible for sustainment efforts supporting the Resolute Support Mission in the Combined Joint Operations Area - Afghanistan (CJOA-A). During the deployment three unit members died and ten were wounded. "Wagoneers return from Afghanistan", Fort Hood Sentinel, June 8, 2017.

ANA Refines Comms Procedures. Communications is a vital part of military operations and the ANA are fielding specialists that can provide for good comms. Read more in Afghan soldiers take essential communication skills to battlefield, DVIDS, June 7, 2017.

Cosmopolitan for Afghanistan? A small group of Kabul University students have launched a monthly women's magazine - Gellara. Read more in "Afghanistan gets Cosmo-inspired women's magazine", Fox News, June 5, 2017.

A Bad Month for Afghanistan. The disaster that occurred at Camp Marmel (209th Corp HQs attack killing more than 100 soldiers) coupled with the recent truck bombing in Kabul has made the past month or more very disheartening for those who want to see progress in Afghanistan. The past few weeks have been terrible. Read more in "A Black Week in Kabul: Terror and protects", by Martine van Bijlert and Thomas Ruttig of Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN), June 4, 2017.

Reports on Afghanistan

Listed below are some recent reports of interest on security, development, and governance.

AREA, Urban Governance: An Assessment of the Urban Development Program in Afghanistan, Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, May 2017.

AAN, Reforming the Afghan Ministry of Interior: A Way to 'tilt' the war?, by Kate Clark of the Afghanistan Analysts Network, June 9, 2017.

SIGAR, Quarterly Report to the United States Congress, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, April 30, 2017. This 273-page report outlines progress and concerns on Afghan security, development, expenditure of U.S. funds, oversight on USAID activities, and more.

World Bank, Afghanistan Development Update, May 25, 2017. This report is produced twice yearly with two main aims: to report on key economic developments over the preceding months and to examine topics of particular policy significance. This report is 44-pages long.

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Sunday, November 20, 2016

Afghan War Blog Weekly Newsletter for Nov 20, 2016

Temporary Break in Blogging & Publishing eNewsletter

Unfortunately there will be a temporary break in posting on the Afghan War News Blog and in the publishing of the Afghan War Blog Weekly eNewsletter. I will be traveling overseas for several weeks and will have limited access to the Internet.

Best regards, Staff at Afghan War News Blog

Afghan Islamist Groups and Choosing Violence

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has published a paper that explores the use of violence by Islamist groups to oppose government authority in Afghanistan. The paper traces the history of Islamist violence since the early 1960s. Read "Islamist Groups in Afghanistan and the Strategic Choice of Violence", by Arian Sharifi, USIP, November 14, 2016.

Update on Nov 12th Suicide Bomber Attack at BAF on Veterans Day

BAF Suicide Bombing Update. The Resolute Support Headquarters has released a news report providing an update on the suicide bomber attack that took place on Veterans Day. The bomber caused four deaths and 17 casualties. Five of the casualties have been returned to duty; 12 are now at the Landstuhl medical facility in Germany receiving advanced treatment. One news report (Gandhara Blog / Radio Free Europe, Nov 14, 2016) is reporting that Afghan officials say the suicide bomber was an ex-Taliban who joined the peace process in 2008 and then got a job as a local worker at the Bagram Air Base (BAF). According to Taliban statements the worker had been planning his attack on the base for the past four months.

U.S. Embassy Closed for One Day. A day after the suicide bombing at Bagram Air Field the U.S. Embassy in Kabul shut down for one day as a "temporary precautionary measure". Read more in a news report by USA Today, November 13, 2016.

Afghan Security News Update

MD 530 Helicopter of the Afghan Air Force (AAF)

Kunduz - Battle Prompts Increase in U.S. Support. The recent Taliban offenses (and success) in Kunduz, Farah, Uruzgan, and Helmand provinces has generated an aggressive response by U.S. forces in Afghanistan. In line with the increased authorities granted the Operation Sentinel Freedom mission the U.S. has increased air combat sorties and increasingly deployed its U.S. Army Special Forces to assist (and combat) the resurgent Taliban forces. The United States (and its NATO and Partner nation allies) is facing a stark choice: risk losing more district centers and possibly a provincial capital or commit to more U.S. SOF into the fight supported by U.S. aircraft providing close air support. Read more on this topic in "A New U.S. Front in Afghanistan?", The Wall Street Journal, November 2016.

Video of Afghan Timeline. An eight minute video traces the 15-year history of the Afghan conflict starting from October 7, 2001 when the U.S. and British militaries began a bombing campaign against Taliban and al Qaeda targets in Afghanistan. A lot of footage of combat action. Watch The Afghanistan War: A Timeline, Task & Purpose, October 10, 2016.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=msUY9p_ZPVE

Sling Load Operations. This news article describes the importance of conducting sling load operations in Afghanistan. (Fort Hood Sentinel, Nov 17, 2016).

ISIS Survives in Afghanistan. Despite attacks from the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), the Taliban, and U.S. drones the Islamic State in Afghanistan remains a force to be reckoned with. Although its presence is diminished it still maintains a resilient stronghold in eastern Afghanistan. Read more in "ISIS in Afghanistan: Their peak is over, but they are not finished", The Guardian, November 18, 2016.

Pakistan Accused of Supporting the Taliban. In late-breaking news we hear that Pakistan has been supporting the Taliban. Really? Didn't know. The former Afghan intelligence chief has accused Pakistan of providing military support to the Taliban. Read more in a news report by Voice of America, November 11, 2016.

Kabul Bombing Wednesday, November 16th. A suicide bomber driving a vehicle blew up near an Afghan defense vehicle in Kabul killing four and injuring at least 11 others. (Gandhara Blog / RFE, Nov 16, 2016).

Prisoners Rescued. Afghan Special Forces from the Ministry of Interior (MoI) rescued civilians who were being kept in a Taliban prison in Greshk district of Helmand province. (Khaama Press, November 16, 2016).

Germany Staying the Course. The German cabinet has approved the plan to keep almost one thousand soldiers in Afghanistan until the end of 2017. (Khaama Press, Nov 17, 2016).

U.S. Helicopter Shot Down? Nope, Probably Not. Both the Islamic State and the Taliban have claimed to have taken down a helicopter in the central Afghan province of Ghor on November 15th. The Resolute Support HQs says it didn't happen. Read more in "Taliban, Islamic State both claim to have shot down helicopter in central Afghanistan", The Long War Journal, November 14, 2016.

Latvian's Assisted in Defense of German Consulate in MeS. Three combat air controllers from Latvia assisted in the defending of the German compound in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan during an attack a few weeks ago. (Public Broadcasting of Latvia, Nov 15, 2016).

Afghanistan - HeForShe Campaign - Video

The gender equality solidarity campaign, HeForShe, was launched in Afghanistan in June 2015 under the slogan "A Brave Man Stands for Women". This documentary brings together the voices of men and women supporting the campaign; sharing their personal experiences of standing up and speaking out for gender equality in Afghanistan.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWchvCH3P1Y

Commentary

Balochistan - Set to Explode? The Pakistan province of Balochistan just to the south of Afghanistan is a powderkeg. There are a host of human rights, security, economic and other issues that set this province up for continued strife and perhaps open warfare. Read more in "Greater Balochistan: A Quiet Frontier Set to Explode", Eurasia Review, November 16, 2016.

What's Going On? Annabelle Quince, writing for the Rear Vision - an Australian news show, ponders the situation in Afghanistan. She provides an assessment of the current strength of the Taliban, notes that the Afghan armed forces are extremely corrupt and demoralized, and wonders on the future of Afghanistan. Read "What is going on in Afghanistan and why is the US still involved?", ABC News (Australia), November 15, 2016.

Afghan Governance News

The National Unity Government (NUG) has struggled to provide good governance at the national and sub-national level. Most observers would say that NUG has failed over the past two years. Its ministries are lacking good leadership and the Afghan National Defense Security Forces (ANDSF) are still burdened with too many general officers who are inept, incompetent, and very corrupt. When the NUG does agree on ministerial level appointments the Afghan parliament steps in to stir the pot. So we have a national government with legitimacy problems, a sub-national government system that does not deliver the needed government services, ministries that are lacking good leaders, and a parliament with a grudge. This past week the Afghan parliament dismissed six ministers and is reviewing several more. Certainly a recipe for disaster. Read more in "Afghan Parliament Goes on a Firing Spree", The Diplomat, by Catherine Putz, November 15, 2016.

Gender Issues in the Afghan National Police (ANP)

The international community (NATO, donor nations, United Nations, etc.) has been pushing the Afghan government and senior officers at the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Ministry of Interior (MoI) to recruit and integrate females into the army and the police. These efforts have not attained the results desired and much work needs to be done to realize the 'quotas' established by the international community. For their part, Afghan senior military and police members have a cultural aversion to women serving - although their 'spokesmen' say all the right things for international community consumption. The Afghan National Police (ANP) is doing much better in this regard than the Afghan National Army (ANA). (photo credit: Resolute Support HQs, 14 Nov 2016, 4 ANP female officers at graduation from C-IED course).

Afghan War News Snippets

Female Journalists at Risk in Afghanistan. According to a recent news report "Afghanistan is Deemed Most Insecure Place for Female Journalists", Ariana News, November 14, 2016. Read more about the insecurity of Afghan journalists at the website of Reporters Without Borders.

Refugees Forced Back to Afghanistan. "After America's Longest War, Refugees Face Forced Return to Afghanistan", Lima Charlie News, by J. David Thompson, November 17, 2016.

Cash instead of Food, Tents, and Blankets. Some humanitarian organizations are looking at dispensing cash instead of material goods to the needy in Afghanistan. Read "The increasingly popular way to aid the needy in war-torn nations: Give cash", The Los Angeles Times, November 11, 2016.

Laura Bush Honored. Former First Lady Laura Bush was recently honored for her work on behalf of Afghan women. The International Republican Institute presented her with an award. (IRI, Nov 15, 2016).

UN General Assembly Supports Afghanistan. The United Nations unanimously adopted its annual resolution in support of the Government of Afghanistan. Of concern is the rise in civilian casualties and influence of violent extremists. Read more in a news release by the United Nations (17 Nov 2016).

$85 Million for a Kabul Hotel (that didn't open!). A hotel, built but not finished, is located right across from the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan. It was to have more than 200 rooms, a conference center, and attached apartments. The plans to build the hotel were announced with great fanfare by the U.S. Embassy in 2009 . . . but . . . some things went very wrong. The money was funneled through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) - an agency run by the U.S. government to uses money to finance development projects overseas. A recent government watchdog report found that there was "troubling management practices and lax oversight". Hmmmm. The unfinished hotel is right across the street from the U.S. Embassy - how could you not be providing proper oversight? Read more in "How $85 Million Failed to Build a Swanky Hotel in Kabul", National Public Radio, November 17, 2016.

Trump and Afghanistan. Some believe that the Trump administration will want to fix Afghanistan right away - and in the process apply quick solutions that may not work. Observers believe that the Afghan conflict will only be solved with long-term strategies. Read "Trump's easy solutions won't work in Afghanistan", Deutsche Welle, November 17, 2016.

Germany to Repatriate Afghans. Some 12,500 Afghans have had their asylum applications rejected by Germany and will soon be on their way back to Afghanistan. It is estimated that about 5 percent of the 1/4 million Afghans who have reached Germany may be forced to leave. Read more in "Germany to repatriate about 12,000 Afghans", Deutsche Welle, November 17, 2016.

Where are the Visas? Thousands of Afghans served as interpreters for U.S. military forces across Afghanistan for a number of years. Many were promised Visas as a reward for their service in dangerous times. Now they are being hunted down by insurgents and they can't escape Afghanistan. The U.S. Congress and Department of State have fallen short in this respect. Read more in "Where are the Visas for the Afghans Who Helped American GIs?", The Wall Street Journal, November 11, 2016.

Afghan Ambassador to UN Speaks to General Assembly

The Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations - H. E. Mahmoud Saikal - delivered a speech to the United Nations General Assembly during an assembly meeting regarding "The Situation in Afghanistan". The event took place on November 18, 2016. Watch his 30-minute presentation at the link below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=er4fyHsePDc

CERP - Was it Effective?

The RAND Corporation has published a paper that assesses the effectiveness of the Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP) in Afghanistan. The study was focused on the time frame of 2010-2013 when CERP was used to support tactical operations in the Afghan counterinsurgency campaign. The paper describes CERP's origins, history, and existing research on the utility of CERP in Afghanistan. Over 200 military personnel who were associated with CERP were interviewed. Some believe that CERP played an important and productive role; while others criticized the program as holding back Afghan governmental institutions from developing.

www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1508.html

MAAS - Helping F-16 Pilots Stop on the Bagram Runway in Emergencies

If you are an F-16 Falcon pilot experiencing an emergency during a take off or landing at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan - how do you stop from careening down the runway (i.e. brake failure)? You can get help from the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron! The 544th ECES sets up the Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAAS) on the runway at Bagram Airfield for exactly this type of event. The MAAS is a barrier used to catch the arresting hook of fighter aircraft in case of malfunction upon landing or take off. Watch a video on this topic by the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing.

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/493759/keeping-pilots-and-aircraft-safe

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Sunday, November 13, 2016

Afghan War Blog Weekly Newsletter - Nov 13, 2016

Suicide Bomber Kills 4 at Bagram Air Base

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for a suicide bomber attack on Saturday, November 12th, at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan that killed 4 and wounded many others. The insurgent dressed as a laborer and gained entry to the air base. Two U.S. service members and two U.S. contractors were killed. At least 17 U.S. service members and one Polish soldier were wounded in the attack.

Read more:

"Afghanistan suicide bomb kills at least four at Bagram airbase", The Guardian, November 12, 2016.
"4 Killed in Bagram Airfield Explosion", DoD News Release, November 12, 2016.

Commentary

Congressman Adam Kinzinger, representing the 16th District of Illinois, writes about our conflict in Afghanistan and why we must stay the course in assisting that nation in the fight against the Taliban and other terrorists. Read "Why the future of Afghanistan still matters", The Hill, November 8, 2016.

Trump and Afghanistan

President-Elect Donald Trump is taking center stage in American politics. However, the world is watching and has much at stake. This is especially true for Afghanistan - and those countries currently taking part in the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan. Not much was said about Afghanistan during the campaign for the presidency by either of the two presidential candidates - Trump or Clinton. There is very little known about Trump's foreign policy views - other than he is plainly lacking in any depth in this area. Hopefully his choice of advisors and cabinet heads will offset this lack of foreign policy knowledge. Some observers have ventured into the void and have attempted to discern what a Trump administration means for Afghanistan and these news articles and reports are found below:

"People That Hate Us: What can Afghans expect from President Trump?", Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN), November 11, 2016.

"Afghan Taliban Urges President-Elect Trump to Withdraw U.S. Troops", Breitbart.com, November 10, 2016.

Afghan Security News Update

Uruzgan Governor Pleads for Australian Help. The province where the Australian training and reconstruction effort in Afghanistan was centered is in a dire situation. The Taliban are steadily making progress and have the Afghan government security forces on the defensive. Of late, the provincial capital - Tarin Kot - has been threatened by the insurgents. Deaths and desertions have taken their toll on the ANP and ANA. The provincial governor is urging the Australians to return to the province with combat troops and helicopters. Read more in "Afghan Governor pleads for Australian help as soldiers defect to Taliban", ABC News, November 7, 2016.

UN Investigating Airstrikes. The United Nations says it is investigating U.S. airstrikes that killed over 30 civilians. The United States is conducting its own investigation. The airstrikes were targeting senior members of the Taliban. Afghan security authorities say the civilians were most likely family members of the slain Taliban leaders. Read more in "U.N. says investigating Afghanistan air strike deaths", Reuters, November 6, 2016.

COMRS Visits Georgia. The country of Georgia has been a staunch ally of the United States and the many other nations participating in the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan. The Resolute Support commander - General John Nicholson - recently visited Georgia to discuss issues pertaining to the country's engagement in the RS mission. Read more in "US Commander of NATO Resolute Support Mission Visits Georgia", Georgia Today, November 7, 2016.

RS Senior Enlisted visits Bagram Units. Command Sergeant Major (CSM) David Clark visited units based at Bagram Air Field. (DVIDS, Nov 6, 2016).

C-RAM Units Exchange Responsibility. One Air Defense Artillery unit is headed home while another has taken its place at Bagram Air Field. The Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) mission provides critical early warning and takes steps to defeat the insurgent's rockets, artillery, and mortars that fire onto the air field and base. Read "Air Defense Artillery Transfer of Authority Ceremony", DVIDS, November 5, 2016.

Paper - Islamic State in Afghanistan. Casey Garret Johnson, writing for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has penned a 16-page report that details the structure, composition, and growth of the Islamic State's so-called Khorasan province.The report is the result of more than sixty interviews with residents of Nangarhar - and provincial and national Afghan security officials. Read The Rise and Stall of the Islamic State in Afghanistan, USIP, November 3, 2016.

Afghan Personnel and Pay System (APPS) - a Difficult Program to Implement

The Afghan government and military is extremely corrupt. Transparency International conducts yearly assessments of the most corrupt nations in the world - and Afghanistan has consistently ranked in the top three - along with Somalia and North Korea (good company there I must say). So it is no surprise that the pay system for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) is inefficient and and riddled with corruption. Many senior and mid-level police and army officers are padding their pockets with money from the pay of police and soldiers who work for them. In addition to tapping into the pay of existing soldiers and police many Afghan commanders are pocketing the pay of ghost soldiers and police in Afghanistan.

The fact that the Afghan personnel and pay system is corrupt is not new - this is common knowledge and many unsuccessful attempts have been made to try and correct the systems by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and now Resolute Support (after January 2015). See SIGAR 15-54 Audit Report (April 2015). The advisors and staff of RS HQs Essential Function 4 are struggling with this important yet frustrating task.

The Afghan Personnel and Pay System (APPS) is a new program (not sure how new it really is to be truthful) designed to standardize pay for the Afghan National Army, provide biometric identification for all soldiers, and reduce the potential for any corruption in the Afghan pay system. The APPS is supposed to leverage the (not fully implemented) Afghan Human Resource Management System (AHRIMS) that was introduced a few years back.

It takes dedicated and knowledgeable advisors and staff to assist the Afghan army in the implementation of the APPS. One such staff member is Anthony D. Parton - a U.S. Department of the Army civilian employee. Read his story on his job working for the implementation of APPS at Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul in "Pearisburg native helps to improve reliability of Afghan army pay system", The Roanoke Times, November 11, 2016.

Security Update for Northern Afghanistan

Attack on German MeS Consulate. A suicide bomber rammed his truck into the German consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan killing and wounding civilians in the area on Thursday, November 10, 2016. The consulate suffered major damage to its outside perimeter wall - leaving a huge crater in the ground and overturning nearby cars in the street. No German or Afghan members of the consulate staff were killed or harmed. Twenty members of the German staff were evacuated to Camp Marmal (nearby MeS). Read more in "Afghanistan: Fatal attack on German consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif", BBC News, November 11, 2016.

Video on North Afghanistan and Central Asia. In July 2016 the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) conducted a 90-minute presentation and discussion on the security situation in Afghanistan and the impact on the Central Asia states across the northern border of Afghanistan. There is growing instability in Afghanistan and this includes the formerly peaceful areas of North Afghanistan. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHnGSC9DFw0

Afghan News Snippets

Remembering Afghan Elections of 2009. An American military officer assigned to a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gardez in Paktia province remembers the Afghan 2009 presidential elections in "American Export: Elections", The Atlantic, November 7, 2016.

How to Advise. The Resolute Support mission is to "Train, Advise, and Assist" the Afghan National Defense Security Forces (ANDSF) and the Afghan Security Institutions (ASIs). The U.S. has had over 15 years of experience in advising in both Iraq and Afghanistan. One such advisor - with advisory experience in both countries - provides his thoughts on how to advise in "My Lesson From 'The Long War'", Small Wars Journal, November 8, 2016.

Canada Remembers Fallen Service Members. 158 men and women died while serving in Afghanistan with Canadian Forces. On November 11th Canada remembered these individuals in a ceremony in Edmunton. See "Ceremony at Ainsworth Dyer Bridge remembers those who died in Afghanistan", Edmonton Journal, November 11, 2016.

"New Silk Road". A few years ago Europe yawned when it heard the news of a rebuilding of the "silk road" connecting Asia to the Middle East and Europe. Now times have changed. "Europe Finally Wakes Up to the New Silk Road, And this Could be Big", Forbes.com, November 10, 2016.

"No-Show Teachers". A recent news article informs us that the United States is providing bundles of money for teachers in Afghanistan who do not show up for work. "Afghan Watchdog: U.S. Pays Millions for No-Show Teachers, Students", NBC News, November 10, 2016.

Water Politics and Afghanistan. Iran and Pakistan are, in a big way, dependent upon Afghanistan for some of its water. The Afghan rivers, running downhill from its mountain snows, eventually flow into either Iran or Afghanistan. The relationship in the region is sometimes contentious over the amount of water leaving Afghanistan. Learn more in "Afghanistan's Water-Sharing Puzzle", The Diplomat, November 11, 2016.

Female Computer Programmers. In the western Afghan city of Herat female computer programmers are learning to code and are working in this fledgling industry. Learn about "Code to Inspire" - a coding school set up for women in November 2015 in "Meet Afghanistan's female coders who are defying gender stereotypes", The Guardian, November 7, 2016.

Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs in Afghanistan

The European refugee crisis is straining the resources of European nations (especially those of Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Finland). The resettlement processes carried out in the last few years have afforded refugees the ability to leave insecurity, violence, conflict, and economic suffering behind. However, Europe has reached the breaking point and is no longer hospitable to the huge influx of refugees from north Africa, the Middle East, and (of course) Afghanistan. Read more in The Roots of Europe's Refugee Crisis, by Carnegie Europe, October 2015.

Afghanistan - Difference between Refugees and IDPs

Mr. M. Ashraf Haidari is the Director-General of Policy & Strategy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan. In a recent online article he explains the difference between Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). There are now more than 1.2 million IDPs across Afghanistan living under dire conditions. He advocates that increased aid be provided for the IDPs by the various international humanitarian and aid groups. He further states that these aid groups should initiate collaboration with Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation and the National Disaster Management Authority to ease the plight of the IDPs. Read his article Need to end discrepancy between refugees and IDPs, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), November 5, 2016.

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