The following is the June 20, 2017 Pentagon submission to Congress, Report on Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan. The report covers events during the period from Dec. 1, 2016, through May 31, 2017. Read More
Tag Archives: ISAF
SECDEF Mattis Predicts An Extended Fight in Afghanistan
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis in Kabul, Afghanistan on April 24, 2017. DoD Photo
In the wake of a surprise attack that killed at least 160 Afghan soldiers last week, Defense Secretary James Mattis said “the fight is going to go on” against terrorism and not just in Afghanistan. Read More
CNAS Report: Stabilizing Battlefield Key to Afghan Peace
Afghan Army personnel destroying an IED. Al Jazeera Photo
Stabilizing the battlefield is the first step in convincing the Taliban that the price is too high to continue fighting and to enter into negotiations for an Afghan-led peace deal, a new report from the Center for New American Security recommends. Read More
U.S. Commander in Afghanistan Tells Senate He Needs ‘A Few Thousand’ Troops to Break Stalemate
Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., addresses the audience during the change-of-command ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 2, 2016. US Army Photo
To break the military stalemate in Afghanistan, the commander of American and coalition forces there testified he needs “a few thousand” more troops for the train, advise and assist mission to succeed. Read More
Opinion: The End of America’s War in Afghanistan?
General John Campbell, commander of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on Dec. 28, 2014. via Reuters
All Americans remember where they were when they learned about the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, but few Americans noticed—and fewer seemed to care—when Gen. John Campbell rolled up the International Security Afghanistan Force (ISAF) battle flag on Dec. 28. That ceremonial act officially and symbolically ended the ISAF combat mission in Afghanistan. Read More
Pentagon Picks New Afghan War Commander
U.S. Army Gen. John Campbell assumes duties as the 34th Army Vice Chief of Staff during a ceremony at the Pentagon Auditorium Mar. 8, 2013. US Army Photo
The Pentagon tapped Army Gen. John Campbell to be the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, making the four-star general responsible for overseeing the final American withdrawal from the country. Read More
Dunford: Winning in Afghanistan is ‘Achievable’
The commander of coalition forces described the situation in Afghanistan now as being “in the red zone” of the campaign where “winning is by no means inevitable at this point but it is absolutely achievable.” Read More
Statement from President: Gen. John Allen to Retire
General John Allen stands as Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta makes the announcement that Allen has been nominated to become the new Supreme Allied Commander in Belgium in October. DoD Photo
Statement from the President on General John Allen
Today, I met with General John Allen and accepted his request to retire from the military so that he can address health issues within his family. Read More
