Blog Posts

David Ignatius: “Will President Trump’s new Afghanistan strategy alter the dynamics of America’s longest and most frustrating war?”

Max Boot: “When I visited Afghanistan a few days ago all the briefings I received from American officials were about nation-building.”

“The hope of tiring the Taliban remains the mantra repeated by American diplomats and the generals whom the president has empowered to execute his policy.”

“Are U.S. sailors being pushed into missions without enough training?”

John Nagl: “Trump must to go to Afghanistan immediately—this week—to meet with his commanders and diplomats.”

Following an announcement by President Trump declaring the United States' commitment to Afghanistan, Secretary of Defense Mattis said Tuesday he has not yet made a decision on how many troops to send.

Wall Street Journal Op-Ed by SecDef Jim Mattis and SecState Rex Tillerson.

"Hamas is using residential buildings in the coastal strip to disguise expansion of underground tunnels and command centers from which Israel says the group plans to wage urban war."

"An ominous rumble of discontent is sweeping Afghanistan, driven by a mixture of anxiety, anger, frustration and political opportunism."

Erik Prince's controversial proposal to privatize a large portion of the U.S. war in Afghanistan is being met with growing opposition in Kabul and Washington.

Continue on for a take on the United States Agency for International Development and its new Administrator Mark Andrew Green.

“Simply updating counterinsurgency concepts from the Cold War, which is what the United States has done, is a doomed effort.”

“America’s many missions in Africa aren’t all about warfare - many provide training, education and aid.”

"The lack of mass casualty domestic attacks in the United States, carried out by
foreign fighters, since 9/11 should not be taken for a sign of future invulnerability."

"The number of weapons released against the Islamic State in July dropped slightly from the previous month’s all-time record."

"The administration remains without a clear strategy, Prince suggests contractors could gradually supplant the 14,000 US and NATO troops who remain in Afghanistan."

“The founder of Blackwater says privatizing the 16-year war could save taxpayer money. History suggests a different outcome.”

“The plan is opposed by senior military leaders including national security adviser McMaster, key lawmakers who have received Prince’s brief and senior military officials.”

“The White House is actively considering a bold plan to turn over a big chunk of the U.S. war in Afghanistan to private contractors.”

"Understanding drug smuggling and military organisations and enforcement agencies in ways that can inform public policies regarding illicit drug control."

“The NSC adviser is the latest target of Steve Bannon’s media friends.”

“Russia is seeking to remake its image by exploiting Afghan disappointment with the dismal results of the post-9/11 intervention by the U.S. and its allies.”

Turkey is building up military forces on the border, while Turkish President Recep Erdogan steps up rhetoric suggesting an imminent military operation into Syria.

Continue on for the Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism, dated July 2017.

"Designed to draw 1,000 people when it launched in 2009, the program eventually attracted 10 times that many."