The NATO effort to remake Afghanistan is floundering. In order to have a chance to succeed, American General Stanley McChrystal, President Obama’s man in charge of the Afghan war, says that more resources will be required. While a coalition of nations have joined the United States in the war in Afghanistan, the burden on the U.S. in going forward will be a heavy one.
The United States has already spent upwards of 200 billion dollars and lost 1,000 troops in the Afghan war. Coalition partners have also sustained losses as have Afghan forces, but the United States is by far the largest contributor.
The war has continued for eight years, although journalists who cover the war refer to different phases. The Taliban was successfully removed from official control of the government in 2001. The U.S. led coalition took control of major cities and the capital, Kabul, but has not achieved substantial control over the vast countryside.
It is generally recognized in the military that the war has been under-resourced, with not enough troops to maintain security in towns and villages throughout the country. In addition, the money that was put into infrastructure projects has not made much of a dent. Schools built have been destroyed. Villages which were won have since been lost.
While the surge in Iraq and shift in tactics which included paying Iraqi Sunnis to fight on our side, helped achieve a period of stability there, the rules are different in Afghanistan. Locals have not committed and Afghan forces have failed to show up in sufficient number to join the fight against insurgents. The Taliban is ruthless in exacting retribution on those who cooperate with the coalition forces and Afghans want to be on the winning side.
McChrystal has reportedly said that if the NATO coalition does not turn things around in the next 12 months, the Taliban will regain effective control. McChrystal’s evaluation of the Afghan government was no more promising. He blames the government’s rampant corruption for tuning off the Afghan populace.
U.S. officials are being briefed on the General’s recommendations, but the report has not been made public. It is believed that McChrystal will tell the President that between 10,000 and 45,000 more U.S. troops are required to continue operations in Afghanistan..
President Obama will have a difficult decision to make. He has stated that he believes that insurgent operations in Afghanistan threaten U.S. national security. Once he receives a complete reassessment from McChrystal on the military's plan to achieve U.S. goals in Afghanistan, the president will have to outline his vision to the American public, which is souring on the war effort. The costs are an increasing concern as the economy and deficits become top priorities. The president has the authority to continue even an unpopular war, but this could cost him support on his domestic agenda.
