The office of The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction says in its new report that the Department of Defense has exaggerated the effectiveness of Afghan’s fighting units, leading to questions about the U.S. strategy to win the war and plans to bring home American troops.

 

Arnold Fields, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, described the grading system used by the U.S. military to judge the Afghan army and police as “flawed,” “unreliable” and “inconsistent.”

 

Only a couple weeks ago, the top American commander, General Stanley McChrystal, told the media that the development of Afghanistan’s security forces was “on track” and “ahead of the plan.” McChrystal has since been relieved of his command for making disparaging remarks about the Obama administration.

 

The report also noted that the U.S. and its NATO allies are not providing enough trainers and mentors to help instruct Afghan soldiers and police. It also faulted the country’s logistics system, calling it corrupt and inadequate.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Report: US Overestimated Ability of Afghans (by Anne Flaherty, Associated Press)

Report Faults U.S. for Being Too Optimistic about Afghan Security Capabilities (by Karen DeYoung, Washington Post)

SIGAR: Poor Training, "Backsliding" Plague Afghan Army, Police (The Majlis)

Actions Needed to Improve the Reliability of Afghan Security Force Assessments (Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction) (pdf)