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- Feb 2, 2008
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This article written by Frederick Kagan and LTG (Ret) Jim Dubik lays out an excellent rebuttal to Sen Carl Levin's proposals about the future of the war in Afghanistan . Sen Levin's proposal demonstrated a shallow understanding of the realities on the ground in Afghanistan. While it is undeniable that eventually the burden for security in Afghanistan has to be an Afghan responsibility- doing so without providing basic immediate and broad security operations is impossible. In fact Sen Levin seems to fail to understand how difficult it is to double the size of an organization in a stable environment much less one starting at such a low level and surrounded by as much turmoil and instability as the ANA. After all- how long has it taken the US Army to recruit, train and integrate an expansion of the force by 65,000- 3years? And yet he proposes taking the ANA and even more unrealistically - the Afghan police- and immediately doubling them and expecting them to be effective?! This isn't a serious proposal for how to proceed- it is a proposal for how to lose it all.
An excellent article worth digesting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/11/AR2009091103625.html
"While some are discussing whether the U.S. presence in Afghanistan should be maintained, the Obama administration does not appear to be seriously considering withdrawal. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and others have instead proposed expanding the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) first and raising U.S. force levels only if that approach is unsuccessful. This option holds out hope of success without the need to send more U.S. troops, but we believe it is illusory"...
An excellent article worth digesting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/11/AR2009091103625.html
"While some are discussing whether the U.S. presence in Afghanistan should be maintained, the Obama administration does not appear to be seriously considering withdrawal. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and others have instead proposed expanding the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) first and raising U.S. force levels only if that approach is unsuccessful. This option holds out hope of success without the need to send more U.S. troops, but we believe it is illusory"...