CeMiSS Quarterly 1/2013
by Claudio Bertolotti
As US considers how quickly to withdraw the combat troops in Afghanistan and turn over the war to Afghan national security forces, a bleak new Pentagon report has found that only one of the Afghan National Army’s 23 brigades is able to operate independently without support from the Nato partners. According to the report, violence in Afghanistan is higher than it was before the surge of American forces into the country two years ago, although it is down from a high in the summer of 2010. The aforementioned “Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan” is required twice a year by US Congress.
Furthermore, it is assessed that the Taliban remain resilient, that widespread corruption continues to weaken the central Afghan government and that Pakistan persists in providing critical support to the armed opposition groups operating in Afghanistan.
Consequentially to the security situation and to the strategic opportunities, all Nato member nations on 4-5 of June 2013 endorsed the new Nato «Resolute Support» mission in Afghanistan to train, advise and assist Afghan national security forces. The alliance is getting prepared for the new mission after the new concept of operations was endorsed.
The new mission will have a limited regional scope in Afghanistan including capital Kabul (under Turkey responsibility – to be confirmed), North (Germany), West (Italy), South and East (United States) parts of the country; the main focus of the mission will be the Afghan institutions and core level of Afghan army and national police. Even if the exact number of troops to remain in the country post 2014 has not been finalized yet the Nato will be responsible for the security of the future trainers, advisers and forces. US remains committed to support Afghanistan in the long term by remaining the largest contributor and lead nation in the new NATO mission.
Talks and compromises... (read full article pages 69-72)
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento