Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
Abstract
Upon taking office, the Obama Administration faced a deteriorating security environment in Afghanistan, despite a build-up of U.S. forces there in preceding years. Signs of deterioration have included an expanded area in which militants are operating, increasing numbers of civilian and military deaths, Afghan and international disillusionment with corruption in the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and the ease of infiltration of Taliban militants from safe havens in Pakistan. Building on assessments completed in the latter days of the Bush Administration, the Obama Administration conducted a "strategic review," the results of which were announced on March 27, 2009. The outcome of the review leaned toward those in the Administration who believe that adding combat troops is less crucial than building governance. As part of that review, the President did announce an increase of 21,000 U.S. troops. The Administration also decided that more innovative counter-insurgency tactics were needed to promote those goals, and in May 2009, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David McKiernan, was replaced by Gen. Stanley McChrystal. On August 30, 2009, McChrystal submitted his review of the military strategy, recommending a fully resourced, comprehensive counter-insurgency strategy in order to avoid mission failure. He reportedly recommended that about 44,000 additional U.S. combat forces are needed to implement the strategy. A series of high level meetings to again review strategy began September 30, and policy was announced on December 1, 2009. Its highlights are: The provision of 30,000 additional U.S. forces to begin deploying by January 2010 to "reverse the Taliban's momentum and strengthen the capacity of Afghanistan's security forces and government so that they can take the lead."; A conditions-based plan to draw down U.S. forces beginning in July 2011 and A call for additional partner contributions, with no specific figure mentioned.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 02, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA511120
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress