Afghanistan
Monday, August 28, 2017 - 06:45
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced a new plan for Afghanistan Monday night with calls for additional U.S. forces, greater NATO participation and regional pressure that held echoes of the previous administrations even as the president said his way forward would be a much more aggressive plan that delivers results.
“Nearly 16 years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the American people are weary of war without victory,” Trump told a largely military audience at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia.
Trump said he was initially inclined to withdraw all forces. As he said on the campaign trail, he still feels that the U.S. had spent too much time, energy and money trying to rebuild Afghanistan, like Iraq, to resemble American governance.
Monday, August 14, 2017 - 06:42
SAM Director Colby Goodman is quoted in this article that examines Erik Prince’s proposal to bridge the Afghanistan air force’s capability gaps with his own private air force and the broader issue of private military companies operating in roles typically in the purview of nation states.
Monday, August 7, 2017 - 11:29
This article covers Erik Prince's proposal to the Afghan government to provide air support through his company, Frontier Services Group.
Monday, July 31, 2017 - 12:29
This article discusses a new study that states that the U.S.-backed Afghan government could compel the Taliban to pursue peace once they regain control of at least 80% of Afghan districts.
Monday, July 31, 2017 - 11:31
This blog discusses why Kabul and Washington must rethink their current strategy and address inherent problems in their approach to building the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.
Monday, July 31, 2017 - 11:03
This piece takes a look at the various types and amounts of US provided equipment that has found its way from the Afghan military to the Taliban over the last 16 years of war.
Monday, July 17, 2017 - 12:33
This article discusses the implications of the Trump administrations consultation with private security companies to devise a plan in Afghanistan. A Washington Post article discusses why private military contractors aren’t going to do a better job in Afghanistan.