“ISAF clarifies information on partnering with ANSF:” KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 18, 2012) — Recent media coverage regarding a change in ISAF’s model of Security Force Assistance (SFA) to the Afghan National Security Forces is not accurate. ISAF remains absolutely committed to partnering with, training, advising and assisting our ANSF counterparts. The ISAF SFA model is focused at the battalion level and above, with exceptions approved by senior commanders. Partnering occurs at all levels, from Platoon to Corps. This has not changed. In response to elevated threat levels resulting from the “Innocence of Muslims” video, ISAF has taken some prudent, but temporary [...]
We All Should Be Humble
First let me say this, I am glad that Bin Laden is dead. I also glad, that our nation has men, like the SEALS, Delta, SF, Rangers, and Nightstalkers who do those thing that would make the average citizen recoil in horror. We need men like this, for there are those whose agenda is to destroy our nation, there is no changing their minds, they are evil, and there is only one recourse—death. What I do find disturbing is the celebration of OBL death. Most who were chanting and celebrating would never in their wildest dreams volunteer to join the [...]
Afghanistan: Winning or Losing? One Marine Speaks
A few days ago I asked my good friend and fellow Marine, commenter “Cracker Iota,” if we were winning or losing in Afghanistan. He gave a quick, “Winning, but…” and promised more. This is his full response: “First the good news: We – the US, the coalition, NATO (i.e. ISAF and IJC) are winning. Period. The COIN fight is going well (if continually hard fought); the ANSF are starting to step up; the coalition is kicking ass (especially the Anglosphere). [GEN Petraeus] seems preternaturally able to go from theater-level strategic issues to instantly able to track and address concerns on [...]
Turning a Corner in Sangin?
Scroll down for an update… Could be. “KABUL, Afghanistan — The leaders of the largest tribe in a Taliban stronghold in southern Helmand province have pledged to halt insurgent attacks and expel foreign fighters from one of the most violent spots in the country, the senior U.S. Marine general in Afghanistan said Monday. “Marine Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, who commands coalition forces in the southwest, said the deal was struck between local elders in the Sangin district and Helmand Governor Gulabuddin Mangal with the consultation of coalition forces. The area has witnessed some of the heaviest fighting of the war.” [...]
A Few More Steps Forward…
With the mission of training the Afghan police: “KABUL – The program to train the Afghan security forces has been transformed over the past year, but a shortfall of nearly 1,000 NATO trainers, as well as high dropout rates among some police units, continue to hinder their development, U.S. and Afghan officials said Monday. “At a ceremony in Kabul marking the one-year anniversary of NATO’s training command, senior commanders outlined the progress they’ve made while asking for patience in the process to build up the Afghan army and police forces. “Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, the commander of the training effort, [...]
"Strike and Destroy"
Back in September we began discussion of the allegations that soldiers from the 5th Stryker BCT killed Afghan civilians for shits and grins. I suggested that the Army command structure and that brigade’s chain of command might have a lot to answer for. Two commenters tended to agree. Now, details about the brigade’s chain of command are emerging, in a WaPo article published today: – “When the 5th Stryker Combat Brigade arrived in Afghanistan, its leader, Col. Harry D. Tunnell IV, openly sneered at the U.S. military’s counterinsurgency strategy. The old-school commander barred his officers from even mentioning the term [...]
"Afghan colonel vital to U.S. despite graft allegations"
Here is a fascinating article from the WaPo that encapsulates the obstacles and opportunities in counterinsurgency in Afghanistan. Although I never met the good Colonel, I know his type. Take the second paragraph for just a second: “U.S. officials say Razziq, who is illiterate and just 32, presides over a vast corruption network that skims customs duties, facilitates drug trafficking and smuggles other contraband. But, he also has managed to achieve a degree of security here that has eluded U.S. troops elsewhere in the country: His force of 3,000 uniformed policemen and several thousand militiamen pursue the Taliban so relentlessly [...]
More from the "No Shit" Files…
“Local Strongman is U.S. Troops’ Most Reliable Friend in Kandahar Province.” I’m always mystified with the tone reports take when confronted with stories like this, which have been played out dozens or scores or hundreds of times in Iraq or Afghanistan. “NOW RUZI, AFGHANISTAN — Haji Ghani is an illiterate, hashish-growing former warlord who directs a semiofficial police force and is known to show his anger through beatings. In this Taliban nest west of Kandahar, he is also U.S. forces’ main partner. “Never mind that the district governor says Ghani, 44, works against him, or that U.S. soldiers describe him [...]
"A Long Way to Go"
This is from a couple days ago, but it speaks volumes: “MARJA, AFGHANISTAN — Residents of this onetime Taliban sanctuary see signs that the insurgents have regained momentum in recent weeks, despite early claims of success by U.S. Marines. The longer-than-expected effort to secure Marja is prompting alarm among top American commanders that they will not be able to change the course of the war in the time President Obama has given them.” (Hold that last thought.) “Firefights between insurgents and security forces occur daily, resulting in more Marine fatalities and casualties over the past month than in the first [...]
