Small Wars Journal

US Takes Dutch Military as Role Model in Afghan Operation

Thu, 04/30/2009 - 6:24am
US Takes Dutch Military as Role Model in Afghan Operation - Jay Solomon, Wall Street Journal

The Obama administration, which wants to send hundreds of additional civilian personnel into Afghanistan, is looking at the Dutch military's operations there for lessons on how to combat the Taliban.

The civilian deployment is part of a US focus on economic development meant to weaken support for the Taliban and dry up finances it derives from the opium trade. The civilians will complement the deployment in the coming months of 21,000 new troops, many of whom will be posted to southern provinces where the Taliban are thriving.

The Obama administration, however, is having trouble finding civilian experts at the State Department to send to Afghanistan. Pentagon officials said they may need military reservists to fill any shortfall in the 500 to 600 civilians Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is seeking for Afghanistan.

The Netherlands, with nearly 2,000 personnel in southern Uruzgan province, has better integrated the efforts of its military and civilian personnel than the US, senior US officials say...

More at The Wall Street Journal.

Comments

Whatever American Participants tried to paint American Role at Afghanistan here-at above as if such Role is very much appreciated at Afghanistan moreover this role is very remarkable over-there.

Being a Pakistani & according to reliable sources Americans were welcome at Northern Afghanistan tentatively 15 to 17% of Local Population although accepted but with some serious reservations Americans Presence mostly War Lords or Opium Cultivators Atheists or their associates rest of Afghans they deadly hatred with Americans as a result every 2nd/3rd day Americans are Killed brutally over there. Moreover as we know Obama needs to start earning his keep. He already got overpaid with the Nobel prize for doing nothing so now he has to show before his nation & at other Western Countries that he can lead the world supposed only superpower who is right now on the road namely Af-Pak mind it this Road directly Leads to Zero-Power.

You all Americans must know & realize who spreaded all around too much unbearable Philosophy Cum Analysis at different forums who have forgotten this fact of the only matter that Obama & his Administration -- believe me they all are just declared certified Nut Case as you Americans, Brits, Americans & Jews quiet Underestimated to Pakistan & Afghanistan you all are just Smart, Sensible & Far Sighted only in American & Jewish Hollywood Based Movies -- But as far as Pakistani ISI or Mullah Omar & Co. are concerned -- they are really Extra-Ordinary Smart & Far Sighted they just remain Silent for the last eight years but as & when realized the position of HIGH TIME has come, as right now Americans & Brits have been Trapped into their own Net Pakistani Army Tabled the Pre-Conditions at Brussels - Belgium at Nato HQ i.e. --- "To FINISH the PARTLY AMERICAN/Brits along-with Entirely Indian ROLE at Afghanistan" rather I must declare to the same as Gen. Pervaiz Kiyani put the Prime Condition which was comprised only on One Point --- "that Until & Unless Indians are not GET LOST from Afghanistan We Pakistani Army is not ready to PLAY own Due Role to Provide Americans for FACE SAVING"--- mind you all Americans this is an UTMOST REQUIRED EXIT as your own Economy has been touching Bailed Out System in current Financial Year just because of this War against Terror so in constant manner War Action of Americans with Afghanistan & Pakistan --- this War against Terror is breaking Americas back bone anyway in short through out this imposed War Against Terror worked with Americans Pakistani Army Posed as if they were suppose to Duffer & Dumb & only Americans, Brits, Israelis & Americans the combination of Smart & Far Sighted People as usually Jews Plus Americans propagandize in their respective Electronic Media i.e. controlled by the Jews, the gist of such propaganda is Americans & the Westerners are Smart & Far Sighted only & the Pakistani Army is just a follower of these bunch of Stupid in other words Just Smart-alecky people rather Pakistani Army, Military Intelligence/MI or ISI posed Blind as per followed Youtube Link -- specially regarding to these Pakistani ISI officials who pretended always with innocence as if they only watch the Horrible Consequences of War Against Terror with the glasses of Made in America only but in actual terms they are Trend Setters as they have been trend setting now-a-days upon the humble request of Red White & Blue Countries to Negotiate even with their own Deadly Hatred persons namely by the way --- now who have been turned status wise in-to honorable Mullah Umar & Haqani Network - pls. keep in mind how Ms. Hilleary Clinton paid respect to Mullah Umar just a week ago & the only Americans Puppet how Hamid Karzai named & called to such Mullah Omar & Haqani Network on behalf of the West now he has been declaring to them Muslim Brothers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSG807d3P-U&NR=1

The actual Blind Man who was in Toilet = Taliban -- as Taliban have been fighting with Americans & Nato Forces Just Blindly & His Companion another person who posed himself as Blind i.e. Pakistani Intelligence Agencies (ISI & MI) -- The thief Girl = America who came here-at South Asia just for plundered the Caspian Oil of Central Asian Countries Oil & Gas Resources worth Amount 49.00 Trillion US$ but caught red handed by Taliban, Pakistani ISI & MI.

Mark,

You really did miss the point, and badly so. It is one of sequences and appropriateness of the specific approach based on the conditions at the time. Seasons, if you will. For a relatively good pictorial description of the security situation (although just a bit dated), see:

http://www.captainsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/taliban_presence_map…

I am providing this URL because the Senlis Council (I guess they go by ICOS now) doesn't have a direct URL. The best I can do is this:

http://www.icosmaps.net/afghanistan_struggle/maps

From which you will have to tool around a bit to get to it.

At any rate, it shows what we all know. The U.S. Marines in 2008 had to kill about 400 Taliban around Garmser in the Helmand Province, and the very far West Provinces abutting Pakistan are problematic. Now Zad is problematic, as is the Korangal Valley.

I don't think the Marines particularly enjoyed being without power and running water for seven months in Garmser or seeing combat every day (what they called "full bore reloading" at times). In fact, they had wished for faster progress in order to get to the reconstruction and softer side, but didn't make it in seven months. When the 24th MEU left they had to turn over to the Brits.

The Army is also having quite the fight in the Kunar province.

I don't claim to be a quarterback, and I didn't type my initial comment on Monday morning. As for being called callow, that remark is probably a bit too snarky and emotional for a "scholar." I think you can do better by discussing the facts, and only the facts.

Mark O'Neill

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 9:40am

Oh Herschel,

There you go again. Just because the US and UK are not in Oruzgan does not mean it is not 'bad', or dangerous, nor are the tactics being employed insignificant. For a perspective on the province's significance, tell me mate, where does Mullah Omar originate from?

The Dutch and Australians have been pursuing some quite successful COIN local area tactics.

I would also argue that the Australian SOTG (Special Operations Task group ) have been executing 'world class' counter-leadership operations against the enemy that are being closely studied by others (including many that you routinely rate on your blog).

While the Dutch and Australian contributions are relatively small by size, their efforts are due more credit than your callow monday morning quarterbacking for the provinces that you think you know something of.

E-mail me if you want details and contacts.

Mark

Rob Thornton

Thu, 04/30/2009 - 2:31pm

I like the gist of Herschel's question.

If we ask what are the conditions which allow the Dutch to pursue their course of action, maybe we can identify what the conditions need to look like elsewhere to be able to be able to pursue like courses of action.

If we can identify what are conditions which can not (or should not) be changed, and which are conditions which can (and should) be changed, we may be able to identify the right problem(s).

If we can do that, we can determine the operational requirements in light of objectives.

If we can do that, we should be able to generate the right capabilities to do the tasks needed to support changing those conditions and achieving our objectives.

I realize the logic is not so simple to implement. It requires:
- a good understanding of the environment;
- willingness to accept that some conditions may not or should not be changed;
- willingness to accept risk;
- and the ability to "generate" the right capabilities.

However, its may be easier then starting with the assumption that what somebody else is doing is exactly right regardless of the conditions.

Best, Rob

Best, Rob

Nice story. But the Dutch are in Uruzgan Province, and not Helmand, Nuristan or Kunar Provinces. Send them to Now Zad, Garmser or the Korengal Valley where the Taliban are shooting at them and their focus won't be primarily on construction projects. I'm not knocking the Dutch efforts. I'm saying that they're doing what the security situation allows them to do. Again, nice story. I wish it could all be that pleasant.