Afghan Forces Show Progress, DOD Officials Tell House Committee

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2012 – The Afghan national security forces are making tremendous strides and look to be ready to assume security control of the country on schedule, Defense officials told the House Armed Services Committee June 20.

David S. Sedney, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, said the Afghans remain on track to assume the lead for security nationwide by the end of 2014.

There are immediate payoffs, he said. One is the last U.S. surge troops – some 23,000 service members – will withdraw from the country by the end of September. “That is all made possible by the improvements in the Afghan national security forces,” he said.

After the surge troops leave Afghanistan, the remaining American and coalition forces will work to transition security to Afghan forces.

“The key to the success is the increasing capability and confidence of the Afghan security forces and of the Afghan people in those security forces,” he said. “The Afghan national army and Afghan national police are both on schedule to meet their goal for size by or before October this year.”

Afghan security forces now participate in over 90 percent of all operations in the country and lead more than 40 percent of the missions. Sedney quoted Marine Corps Gen. John Allen, the NATO commander in Afghanistan, who said the Afghans “are better than we thought they were to be, and importantly, they’re better than they thought that they could be.”

Sedney said Afghan forces already provide security for more than 50 percent of the Afghan population. That will climb to 75 percent when more areas come under Afghan control in the months ahead. The latest group of areas to transition to Afghan control contain contested areas, and there is some tough fighting going on, he added.

“This fighting season … will be the most significant challenge for the Afghan security forces, as they are more in the lead than ever before,” he said. “However, the time for this test is now,¬ when we and our coalition partners have the forces in theater to ensure their success.”

Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the director of the Joint Staff’s Pakistan/Afghanistan Coordination Cell, gave more detail about the growth and training of Afghan security forces, and said NATO’s International Security Assistance Force remains focused on building an Afghan national security force of 352,000.

“That becomes a mechanism for defeating the insurgency,” Townsend said.

The security forces continue to meet or exceed this year’s recruiting objectives, “with the army and the air force expected to meet their combined goal of 195,000 by the end of this summer, and the police reaching their goal of 157,000 by October,” he said.

The security forces have problems with literacy and with shortages of non-commissioned officers, and efforts are underway to solve. The NATO training mission and the Afghan ministries provide literacy programs to approximately 90,000 soldiers and police each day. “This is going to make the ANSF one of the most literate elements of Afghan society,” the general said.

Attrition – from failure, sickness and desertion – continues to be an issue, the general said, and this continues to hamper long-term development. “The security ministries continue to implement policies to combat attrition, and they’re working,” Townsend said. “Attrition is going down for the last several months.”

Shortages of NCOs hamper training and operations as well, but this takes time. “The (Afghan National Security Forces) are taking the lead in training their own forces, and they’re implementing instructor cadre training programs,” he said. “These Afghan instructors are providing more basic and advanced skills training at Afghan-led training centers every day.”

The NATO command has rated 67 percent of the army units and 62 percent of the police units in the top two categories of operational effectiveness, Townsend said.

Ham: Africa Presents Opportunity, Challenges

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

STUTTGART, Germany, June 19, 2012 – For decades, Africa was arguably the most overlooked continent on the globe, with U.S. military involvement there shared among three combatant commands and engagement activities episodic at best.

But five years since the standup of U.S. Africa Command, its commander called Africa a land of great opportunity, but he also said the continent presents threats not only to the immediate region, but to the United States and its interests as well.

“There are a lot of reasons why Africa matters to the United States,” Army Gen. Carter F. Ham said during a recent interview with American Forces Press Service at his headquarters here.

Opportunity abounds on the continent, with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and a young, vibrant and growing population that’s already topped a billion people, he noted. Meanwhile, Africa is experiencing growing democratization, with Africans increasingly choosing their own governments in a way that contributes to both regional and continental stability.

But amid these positive developments, Ham cited some negative trends he said have the potential to impact the security of America and its partners and allies.

Topping the list of why Africa matters to the United States, he said, is the presence of violent extremist organizations “that have very clearly articulated an intent to attack the United States, its allies, its citizens and its interests both within Africa and also more broadly, in Europe.”

Africom’s headquarters became fully operational in 2008, a decade after the near-simultaneous Aug. 7, 1998, terrorist attacks on the U.S. embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. The years since then have witnessed additional terrorist activity, particularly in the Horn of Africa and Pan-Sahel regions.

Wide, ungoverned and under-governed spaces have proven to be fertile ground for violent extremism, Ham said. To the east, the al-Shabab terrorist organization announced in February that it had officially joined forces with al-Qaida’s senior leaders. Meanwhile, an al-Qaida affiliate known as al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb is working to undermine the rule of law and governments in North and West Africa, particularly the trans-Sahara region, with a goal of establishing an Islamic caliphate there.

More recently, a violent group known as Boko Haram has begun extending its influence in Northern Nigeria as it challenges the Nigerian central government.

“While each of those three organizations is of concern, the greatest concern to me is the apparent intent of those organizations to find ways where they can collaborate, cooperate and synchronize their efforts,” Ham said.

It’s a concern he shared with Congress in February. “If they are able to coordinate their efforts, share funding, training, weapons exchange and what have you, I think that presents a real challenge for us,” he told the House Armed Services Committee.

Preventing a merger of these like-minded organizations is a major focus of Africom as it works hand-in-hand with African partners every day through military-to-military programs, military-sponsored activities and other operations aimed at promoting a stable, secure Africa, the general said.

“To counter the threat posed by these three organizations, we do work by, with and through … the host-nation forces to increase their capability,” Ham told the House panel. “There are some times where it may be appropriate for U.S. forces to act,” he said, citing U.S. and NATO actions in Libya as an example. “But more generally, we’re better off when it is Africans leading with a bit of training and support [and] equipping from us.”

Ham underscored U.S. Africa Command’s most fundamental mission: “to advance the security interests of the United States, in our case, particularly in Africa.”

“Our primary role is to protect America, Americans and American interests from the threats that might emanate from the continent of Africa,” he said.

Doing so, Ham said, involves strengthening the capabilities of individual African states and regional organizations so they ultimately can provide their own security.

President Barack Obama, on visiting Ghana in 2009, recognized what’s been one of Africom’s guiding principles: that Africans themselves are best able to address African security challenges.

“The shorthand for that is, ‘African solutions to African problems,” Ham said. “We recognize that. And we try to abide by that in all that we do. So our efforts are taken largely by, with, and through our African partners,” with Africom and its service components almost always playing a supporting or “enabling” role.

“We train, we advise, we assist. Sometimes we provide equipment, but all in an effort to try to enable the Africans to address problems on their own,” he continued. “It is their region, it is their continent and while it is certainly in our interest for that continent to be stable, it is better if the Africans decide when and how to do that.”

Since taking command in March 2010, Ham said he’s been struck by the sense of optimism among the African partners he meets.

“They recognize the challenge they face, and they are realistic about that,” he said. “But they also have this sense that they are going to overcome those challenges and move forward.”

Statement on Syria before the House Armed Services Committee

By Leon Panetta

Chairman McKeon and Representative Smith, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the tense and fluid situation in Syria.   

Widespread demands for political change in Syria started more than a year ago.  Rather than meeting these legitimate demands, the regime of Bashar al-Assad turned instead to violence against its own people.  That violence has been brutal and devastating.  It has put the Syrian people in a desperate and difficult situation.  It has outraged the conscience of all good people.  And it has threatened stability in a very important part of the world.

The United States has made clear that the Assad regime has lost its legitimacy and that this crisis has no effective solution without Assad’s departure.  As the President has stated, Assad must go.

Recent days are testing whether the Assad regime will live up to all of its responsibilities to the Syrian people and to the international community.  Restoring calm to cities and towns across Syria is just one test for Assad in the days ahead.  Assad is responsible for fully abiding by the transition plan outlined by Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan.  He also faces deep skepticism about his motives, a skepticism based on a long train of Assad’s deceitful actions to date, including broken promises to his own people and to the international community.

The United States is committed to holding the Syrian regime to these obligations.  We are leading international efforts to help stop the violence and support a peaceful political transition in Syria.

We know achieving that end is a tough task.  From every angle the situation in Syria is enormously complex.  There is no silver bullet.  At the same time, the situation is of grave consequence to the Syrian people.  There are many others who are affected by what happens in Syria, including Syria’s neighbors – Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel, and Jordan – and all nations with a vital interest in the Middle East.  Meanwhile, Iran is Syria’s only ally in the region.  No other country stands to lose more than Iran from the eventual fall of the Assad regime, which is why Iran is supporting the regime with material, financial and technical assistance.

We also know that the complex problems in Syria cannot all be solved through the unilateral actions of the United States or any other country.  They demand a coordinated international response that is uniquely tailored to the situation.

There are, however, certain principles that have guided the Administration’s response to unrest across the Middle East.  These basic principles have shaped our responses in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and now Syria:  first, we oppose the use of violence and repression by regimes against their own people; second, we support the exercise of universal human rights; and third, we support political and economic reforms that can meet the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people throughout the region.

Our policy toward Syria is clear:  we support a political and democratic transition that fulfills the Syrian people’s aspirations.  To support that objective, the United States is leading international efforts along five tracks:

First, we are supporting efforts to maintain international pressure and advance transition in Syria.  We join with our partners in the United Nations Security Council, including Russia and China, in calling for the urgent, comprehensive, and immediate implementation of all aspects of the Annan plan.

Second, we are further isolating the Assad regime.  We are encouraging other countries to join the United States, the European Union, and the Arab League in imposing strong sanctions against it.  These sanctions are putting Assad under greater pressure than ever before;

Third, we are strengthening and unifying the non-violent political opposition in Syria.  The United States is in the process of providing direct non-lethal support, including communications and medical equipment, to the civilian-led opposition.  We are taking these actions in concert with similar steps taken by the Friends of Syria and other international partners to assist the opposition;

Fourth, we are providing emergency humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, and we are working to broaden our efforts at relief, with a total commitment so far of $25 million; and

Fifth, we are reviewing and planning for a range of additional measures that may be necessary to protect the Syrian people. 

By acting along these lines, we are increasing pressure on the Assad regime every day.  Make no mistake – one way or another, this regime ultimately will meet its end.

There are legitimate questions about what steps are necessary to achieve this end, with some arguing for an approach similar to the one we took in Libya.

The fact is that our recent experience in Libya is helping to inform the approach of the United States to Syria:

First, our efforts are strengthened by multi-lateral, international consensus; 

Second, we should maintain clear regional support from the Arab world;

Third, we should offer substantial U.S. contributions where we can bring unique resources to bear; 

Fourth, we should have a clear legal basis for our approach;

Fifth, and finally, our approach must keep all options on the table, while recognizing the limitations of military force.

But the situation in Syria is different from the one in Libya in important ways:

In Libya, there was widespread international support in the Arab world and elsewhere, and clear Security Council authorization, for military intervention.  No such consensus currently exists regarding Syria;

The opposition is not as well organized and does not control territory;

We must also be mindful, as Secretary Clinton has noted, of the possibility that outside military intervention will make a volatile situation even worse, and place even more innocent civilians at risk.

The United States has made clear that we are on the side of the Syrian people.  They must know that the international community has not underestimated either their suffering or their impatience.  The Defense Department has reviewed and is continuing to plan for a variety of possible scenarios should the President determine that further steps are necessary.  In the meantime, our only clear path is to keep moving diplomatically in a resolute and deliberate manner with the international community to find a way to return Syria to the Syrian people.

Thank you.

Undersecretary Urges Continuing Counterterrorism Effort

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2012 – As the counterterrorism strategy is succeeding, now is not the time to abandon the fight in Afghanistan, the acting undersecretary of defense for policy told Congress today.

Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, James N. Miller said the United States is committed to the core objectives of denying safe haven to al-Qaida and preventing the Taliban from overthrowing the Afghan government.

“While we do face serious challenges, our strategy is succeeding,” Miller said. “Our counterterrorism efforts against al-Qaida have been extremely successful.”

The acting undersecretary stressed that Americans should not underestimate the progress that coalition troops -- including thousands of Americans -- have made in the country. “As a result of the surge launched in 2009, we have broken and reversed Taliban momentum in Afghanistan,” he said. “And the Afghan national security forces are increasingly capable and increasingly in the lead.”

The Afghans now are in the lead in security for more than 50 percent of the population. Sometime in 2013, the Afghan security forces will have security lead for the entire country, Miller said. “At that time, U.S. and coalition forces will be in a support role, which will take a number of forms,” he added.

U.S. and coalition forces will partner with Afghan units, Miller explained, and U.S. forces will have a smaller footprint in the country as the effort switches to an advise-and-assist role. “By the middle of 2014, the [Afghan national security forces] will be responsible for the security of Afghanistan,” he said.

Once that happens, Miller said, smaller U.S. and coalition forces will focus on counterterrorism and on training, advising and assisting Afghan forces.

The Afghanistan War has been a tough fight, and it continues, Miller acknowledged. The past several weeks -- with the Quran burning incident and the killings of 16 civilians in Kandahar province -- have been particularly difficult, he said.

“We have also been challenged in recent weeks by attacks by Afghan personnel against U.S. and coalition forces, so-called ‘green-on-blue’ attacks,” he said. “We will have to work through these incidents and challenges.”

Miller listed accomplishments in Afghanistan for the representatives. Violence is down in the country, he said. From 2010 to 2011, enemy-initiated attacks in Afghanistan were down 9 percent, and the trend continued this year, with attacks down a further 22 percent from 2011 levels for the same months.

In October 2008, only 140,000 Afghans were serving in the Afghan national security forces. “Today, there are approximately 330,000, and we expect to reach our goal of 352,000 … ahead of the October 2012 target date,” Miller said. Today, almost 90 percent of coalition operations in Afghanistan are carried out in partnership with the Afghan forces, and Afghan forces are in the lead for more than 40 percent of operations, he added.

Miller also discussed talks with the Afghans on the strategic partnership between the United States and Afghanistan.

“This strategic partnership will demonstrate that we learned the lessons from 1989, when our abrupt departure left our friends confused and our enemies emboldened,” he said. “Concluding our strategic partnership will send a clear signal that the United States remains willingly committed to Afghan security. Such an assurance must continue beyond our planned transition in 2014.”

Miller touched on the problem presented by safe havens for terror groups inside Pakistan.

“Pakistan has legitimate interests that must be understood and must be addressed,” he said. “Pakistan also has responsibilities.”

Most importantly, Miller added, Pakistan needs to take further steps to ensure that militant and extremist groups cannot find safe haven within its territory.