As the war in Afghanistan enters it's 12th year, NATO forces are adjusting the focus of their mission to training and capacity building of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), as the deadline for withdrawal of coalition troops draws near. Most of the counterinsurgency operations are now concentrated on the central and eastern provinces of Afghanistan as they attempt to create a "security bubble" around Kabul, in an effort to prevent some of the many insurgent attacks (such as...
more »As the war in Afghanistan enters it's 12th year, NATO forces are adjusting the focus of their mission to training and capacity building of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), as the deadline for withdrawal of coalition troops draws near. Most of the counterinsurgency operations are now concentrated on the central and eastern provinces of Afghanistan as they attempt to create a "security bubble" around Kabul, in an effort to prevent some of the many insurgent attacks (such as the one that occurred on April 15th, 2012) on this capital city. Preparing the ANSF to take responsibility over security matters is easier said than done. NATO's goal of building a 250,000 strong ANSF, comprised of an Afghan Army, Border Police, Local Police and special forces (among others), has become a monumental, if not impossible task to achieve within the target date of 2014. Many challenges still remain. On the forefront of these are the so-called "green-on-blue" attacks were members of the ANSF turn their guns on coalition soldiers remain all too common (51 incidents in 2012 alone - 114 deaths since 2007). Furthermore, Afghan security forces will not be able to resupply themselves in the most remote areas of Afghanistan, as they lack the air and ground assets that their NATO counterparts have at the ready - this fact becomes increasingly vital in the Eastern provinces considered to be key areas that must remain under Afghan Government control (because of the many weapons and insurgent smuggling routes that originate along the Pakistan border). Moreover, the high illiteracy rate of the Afghan forces, particularly amongst the lower ranks, makes it extremely challenging for Afghan forces to request air support from their NATO allies - an issue that is likely to become critical in the years to come. Despite these challenges, thousands of men and women (both Afghan and NATO allies) continue the grinding task of attempting to provide security to a nation that's been at war for over 30 yrs.
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