Endgame in Afghanistan

By Matthew Wright

Leon Panetta announced last week that there would be a switch in American troops from a direct combat role to an advising and training role for the Afghan army. The United States had originally planned to begin this transition late in 2013 and have it completed in 2014, but the Obama administration has decided to begin converting operational control now, with some of the more peaceful provinces already fully turned over to the Afghani army. However, this announcement goes against what U.S. Commanders are saying is happening on the ground. They are asking for more time and also to be able to pursue offensives in the eastern part of the country, an area that has been vacated by NATO forces and is currently controlled by the Taliban. Besides a still strong Taliban presence, many doubt that the Afghan army is ready to take on the lead role. With a history of retreating during battles and routine firefights with the Afghani police force and NATO forces, this doubt seems to be confirmed. Further more, president Hamid Karzai has asked the U.S to keep troops on the ground until 2024. With all the information on the ground pointing to a necessity for U.S. Troops to continue combat operations, I find it disturbing that we are attempting a transition when it appears clear that the Afghan army is not ready for it.

Although the transition to the local army is necessary, doing so too early will have serious repercussions. Because of the nature of the Afghan war, taking U.S soldiers out of direct combat may result in the country falling further into turmoil. Also, with the Afghan war being mostly a war fought by guerrilla's taking our soldiers out of combat roles this does not ensure their safety. This war lacks direct front lines and is fought by an enemy that is not in a uniform. I believe that in this type of war, NATO forces should continue combat operations and offensives into rebel controlled territories to keep Taliban forces on the defensive and to make it more difficult for them to organize. Conversely, Hamid Karzai has entered into peace talks with the Taliban, so a change in power may bring peace to the country, but history has often shown this not to be the case. When a new government is in power and not supported they tend to fall to opposition powers in the country.

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