Talk Elections

1.1: U.S. Strategy

As described in the last report, on December 1, 2009, President Obama addressed the U.S. public on the way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President reiterated the U.S. Government’s goal of disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan by pursuing the following objectives within Afghanistan:

• Deny al Qaeda a safe haven;
• Reverse the Taliban’s momentum and deny it the ability to overthrow the Afghan
Government; and
• Strengthen the capacity of Afghanistan’s security forces and the Afghan Government so
that they can take lead responsibility for Afghanistan’s future.

The three core elements of the strategy to achieve these objectives are:

• A military effort to improve security and create the conditions for a transition;
• A civilian surge that reinforces positive action; and
• An effective partnership with Pakistan.

1.2: NATO Strategy, ISAF Campaign Strategy, and Strategic Objectives

The NATO strategy is based on the NATO Comprehensive Strategic and Political-Military Plan (CSPMP) and its supporting SHAPE OPLAN 10302 (Revision 1), and is implemented through the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Operations Plan (OPLAN) 38302. The mission from the current OPLAN states:

“ISAF, in partnership with the Afghan Government and the international
community, conducts comprehensive, population-centric counterinsurgency
operations, and supports development of legitimate governance, Afghan National
Security Forces, and socio-economic institutions in order to neutralize the enemy,
safeguard the people, enable establishment of acceptable governance, and provide
a secure and stable environment.”

The ISAF Campaign strategy focuses on three main efforts:

• Gain the initiative by protecting the population in densely populated areas where the
insurgency has had significant influence;
• Separate insurgency influence from the populace and support Afghan Government sub-
national structures to establish rule of law and deliver basic services; and
• Implement population security measures that connect contiguous economic corridors,
foster community development and generate employment opportunities.

Mission
   
In support of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, ISAF conducts operations in Afghanistan to reduce the capability and will of the insurgency, support the growth in capacity and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), and facilitate improvements in governance and socio-economic development in order to provide a secure environment for sustainable stability that is observable to the population.

Security

In accordance with all the relevant Security Council Resolutions, the main role of ISAF is to assist the Afghan government in the establishment of a secure and stable environment. To this end, ISAF forces conduct security and stability operations throughout the country together with the Afghan National Security Forces and are directly involved in the development of the Afghan National Security Forces through mentoring, training and equipping.

Reconstruction and development

Through its Provincial Reconstruction Teams, ISAF supports reconstruction and development (R&D) in Afghanistan, securing areas in which reconstruction work is conducted by other national and international actors. Where appropriate, and in close cooperation and coordination with GIROA and UNAMA representatives on the ground, ISAF also provides practical support for R&D efforts, as well as support for humanitarian assistance efforts conducted by Afghan government organizations, international organizations, and NGOs.

Governance

ISAF, through its Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTS), helps the Afghan Authorities strengthen the institutions required to fully establish good governance and rule of law and to promote human rights. The principal mission of the PRTs in this respect consists of building capacity, supporting the growth of governance structures and promoting an environment within which governance can improve.