- Reaction score
- 2,731
- Points
- 1,260
Interesting recommendations from the Senlis Council in their latest report (.pdf):
Recommendations
A new, coherent strategic course for Afghanistan is now urgently needed. The Senlis Council offers a number of recommendations stemming the slide into chaos, and a summary of these follows:
Recommendation 1: "NATO Plus": double ground forces, caveat-free, move into Pakistan The present number of NATO-ISAF forces deployed in Afghanistan, and the restrictive operational caveats imposed upon them by several European governments, is easing the Taliban's position of dominance in many parts of the country. Therefore, the force size should be doubled to 80,000 as soon as is logistically possible. To reach this number, each country contributing to ISAF should make a troop commitment that is proportionate to their overall economic capacity.
For example, the Netherlands are currently contributing 2.3 soldiers per USD Billion GDP, while others are either above or below this troop commitment. If all NATO member states brought their contribution to at least 2.3 soldiers per USD Billion GDP (or GBP0.5 Billion), the total number of troops would already increase to around 71,000. The remaining 9,000 troops should come from Muslim countries.
The "NATO Plus" concept should entail:
- The incorporation of Muslim troops;
- An operational doctrine that shifts from a counterterrorism to counterinsurgency (COIN) approach;
- Lifting of national caveats on ISAF troops;
- A move into Pakistan.
The creation of this "NATO Plus" force will send a strong political message to the Afghan people that a caveat-free, pan-cultural, international community force is willing to establish a long-term presence in Afghanistan in support of the Karzai government.
Recommendation 2: "Combat aid agencies": aid should match military funding and be delivered by the military
The immediate needs of ordinary Afghans must be met. It is clear that the present approach is not working. FOr the AFghan state to stand even a chance of recovering from its present position, it is crucial that well-defined development efforts are a central part of the overall mission, particularly in synchronization with counterinsurgency efforts. To this end, a "Combat CIDA/DFID" should be established, whereby Canadian and British militaries assist in the delivery of aid to ravaged parts of the south. The military should also be given control of development agencies' war-zone budgets. Longer-term development should focus upon the provision of essential services such as schools and hospitals, and core infrastructure including roads and power stations. Aid and development funding should match military funding.
Recommendations
A new, coherent strategic course for Afghanistan is now urgently needed. The Senlis Council offers a number of recommendations stemming the slide into chaos, and a summary of these follows:
Recommendation 1: "NATO Plus": double ground forces, caveat-free, move into Pakistan The present number of NATO-ISAF forces deployed in Afghanistan, and the restrictive operational caveats imposed upon them by several European governments, is easing the Taliban's position of dominance in many parts of the country. Therefore, the force size should be doubled to 80,000 as soon as is logistically possible. To reach this number, each country contributing to ISAF should make a troop commitment that is proportionate to their overall economic capacity.
For example, the Netherlands are currently contributing 2.3 soldiers per USD Billion GDP, while others are either above or below this troop commitment. If all NATO member states brought their contribution to at least 2.3 soldiers per USD Billion GDP (or GBP0.5 Billion), the total number of troops would already increase to around 71,000. The remaining 9,000 troops should come from Muslim countries.
The "NATO Plus" concept should entail:
- The incorporation of Muslim troops;
- An operational doctrine that shifts from a counterterrorism to counterinsurgency (COIN) approach;
- Lifting of national caveats on ISAF troops;
- A move into Pakistan.
The creation of this "NATO Plus" force will send a strong political message to the Afghan people that a caveat-free, pan-cultural, international community force is willing to establish a long-term presence in Afghanistan in support of the Karzai government.
Recommendation 2: "Combat aid agencies": aid should match military funding and be delivered by the military
The immediate needs of ordinary Afghans must be met. It is clear that the present approach is not working. FOr the AFghan state to stand even a chance of recovering from its present position, it is crucial that well-defined development efforts are a central part of the overall mission, particularly in synchronization with counterinsurgency efforts. To this end, a "Combat CIDA/DFID" should be established, whereby Canadian and British militaries assist in the delivery of aid to ravaged parts of the south. The military should also be given control of development agencies' war-zone budgets. Longer-term development should focus upon the provision of essential services such as schools and hospitals, and core infrastructure including roads and power stations. Aid and development funding should match military funding.
