Topic: Afghan National Army

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Top 3 lessons the US military has learned in Afghanistan

As robust defense budget wranglings continue on Capitol Hill, much of the debate about one of the Pentagon's largest expenses – Afghanistan – centers around just how effective the decade-long fight has been. Here are the top three lessons that US military has learned in Afghanistan.

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Focus Is Afghanistan ready to defend itself?

Evidence is mixed as to the readiness of Afghanistan's Army and National Police to assume the lead in planning and fighting – with the summer combat season likely to be the first big test.
Why Afghanistan is nervous about the US troop withdrawal

By December 2014 the Afghan National Security Forces that have been built by the US and NATO will be left to largely stand on their own.
Why insider attacks are down in Afghanistan

No one claims the problem is solved, but officials are cautiously hopeful that the lower number of 'green-on-blue' killings in Afghanistan this year means preventive measures are having an impact.
Afghanistan war can yet be won, US general tells Congress

The commander of US forces in Afghanistan outlined three achievements that would secure a 'win' after 11 years of combat – acknowledging none is yet in hand. He gave Congress a report Tuesday on the war's progress.
Global News Blog Deadly Taliban attack targets elite unit in Afghanistan

The 13 soldiers killed were members of Afghanistan's Third Battalion, one of only a small number of Afghan Army units rated as fully self-sufficient by the US military.
In Afghanistan, Hagel faces early test: how many troops to leave behind

With his arduous confirmation finally over, Secretary Hagel arrived in Afghanistan to confront considerable challenges, including the pace of withdrawal and the size of the residual US force.
Backchannels Taliban attacks in Afghanistan not down after all

The NATO-led coalition said a data entry error led to a claim last week that Taliban attacks had fallen 7 percent last year. In fact, there's little change. So what did we get for the surge?
Backchannels Hamid Karzai is mad as heck and he isn't going to take it anymore

Afghan President Hamid Karzai would like to make it very clear that he doesn't like the US, his principal protector and patron.
Afghan president orders US troops out of volatile province on Kabul's flank

President Hamid Karzai has asked US Special Forces to leave Wardak Province, raising concerns about how security might be affected in Afghanistan's capital city.
Medal of Honor recipient: Taliban 'simply couldn't have' outpost

Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha was awarded the Medal of Honor for preventing the Taliban from overrunning his outpost in 2009. Tuesday he was inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.
Back in Afghanistan, Karzai shifts tone on US troop immunity (+video)

Failure to agree on an immunity deal in Iraq ensured that US forces pulled out completely by the end of 2011, further diminishing America's influence there.
Afghanistan: The challenge of 'good' vs 'bad' militias

Gunmen in northern Afghanistan want the Karzai government to make their local unit an official part of the security force that will take over after US withdraws.
As Obama meets Karzai, future troop level in Afghanistan isn't only big issue

The meeting Friday at the White House between Obama and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai may lay a foundation for the coming year's negotiations over US role in the country after 2014.
Karzai meets Obama: How will they shape a post-2014 Afghanistan?

Few appear to believe the Taliban can regain power after 2014, when the US withdraws most of its troops. What's key, some say, is developing a US-Afghan partnership that will survive.
Terrorism & Security British soldier killed in latest 'insider attack' in Afghanistan (+video)

The shooting highlights concerns about the Afghan National Army's ability to assume responsibility for security as international troops begin their drawdown.
Britain details its exit strategy from Afghanistan

British soldiers in Afghanistan will fall from 9,000 to 5,200 next year, according to Prime Minister Cameron. 'There will not be a cliff-edge reduction in troop numbers at the end of 2014,' he said.
Backchannels Vast sums of aid continue to be stolen in Afghanistan

Despite years of supposed effort to stop money laundering out of Kabul airport, billions continue to flow from the country unchecked.
Pentagon warns that insider attacks could derail the war in Afghanistan

In its latest mandated update to Congress, the Pentagon reports that safe havens in Pakistan and corruption within the Afghan government are the greatest risks to 'sustainable security.'
Backchannels Aghanistan's Karzai back to antagonizing the US and attacking free speech

And why not? It's not as though his public statements cost him anything.
Backchannels Shades of Iraq in Afghanistan? Problems with shoddy contracting work

A Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) report singled out a $78 million contract to build a garrison for the Afghan National Army as of particular concern.
Gen. Dunford to head Afghan war, wrap it up (+video)

US Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford's main challenges are likely to be managing the wind down of the war in Afghanistan. Afghans expect to see few changes on the ground.
Terrorism & Security Another insider? Uniformed Afghan suicide bomber kills 14 (+video)

After a heavy weekend of violence, a suicide bomber wearing a police uniform attacked NATO and Afghan forces, killing at least 14 on Monday in the southeastern town of Khost.
Afghanistan war claims 2,000th US soldier, but pace slowing

The 2,000th US soldier to die may have been the victim of another insider attack. Overall, the conflict has grown less deadly for US troops since 2010.
Military death toll in Afghanistan reaches 2,000

While the US prepares to withdraw most of its troops from Afghanistan by 2014, the number of military deaths in the country continues to rise. The toll is now at 2,000.
Afghanistan: Why don't we leave now?

The rise in attacks by Afghan forces against Western troops is threatening US-Afghan military cooperation – a key reason to stay until 2014. The trend could affect the US exit strategy.