Reconstructing the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan
Abstract
Reconstructing the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces: Lessons From the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan is the second in a series of lessons learned reports to be issued by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. The report examines how the U.S. government - primarily the Departments of Defense, State, and Justice - developed and executed security sector assistance (SSA) programs to build, train, advise, and equip the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), both unilaterally and as part of a coalition, from 2002 through 2016. The report identifies lessons to inform U.S. policies and actions at the onset of and throughout a contingency operation and provides recommendations for improved performance. In Afghanistan today, the U.S. effort to train, advise, and assist the ANDSF does not appear to be over. In light of the administrations current focus on strategy in Afghanistan, this report provides timely and actionable recommendations for our current and future efforts there. Our analysis revealed that the U.S. government was not properly prepared from the outset to help build an Afghan army and police force that was capable of protecting Afghanistan from internal and external threats and preventing the country from becoming a terrorist safe haven. We found the U.S. government lacked a comprehensive approach to SSA and a coordinating body to successfully implement the whole-of-government programs necessary to develop a capable and self-sustaining ANDSF. Ultimately, the United States designed a force that was not able to provide nationwide security, especially as that force faced a larger threat than anticipated after the drawdown of coalition military forces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1139856
Entities
People
- Ashley Schortz
- Clint Hougen
- Elizabeth Young
- James Cunningham
- John Sopko
- Joseph Windrem
- Kim Corthell
- Kristin Pettersen
- Samantha Hay
Organizations
- Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction