PROGRESS TOWARD SECURITY AND STABILITY IN AFGHANISTAN, June 2009
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/1230_June­2009Final.pdf
Report to Congress in Accordance with the
2008 National Defense Authorization Act
Reviewed by Professor Wayne Lee

As the title suggests, this is an official document, incorporating data current through April 20, 2009, and authored by several civilian governmental agencies.  Opening with a statement on the overall U.S. strategy for Afghanistan and the wider region, it then assesses the usual indicators of U.S. and international force presence, the strength of the insurgency, and the development of Afghan security forces. Reflecting the problems in the country, only then does the report turn to the quality of national governance, economic development, and finally the counter-narcotics effort.

In essence this document is one component of the new Obama administration's announcement of a "new" strategy. The goals remain the same, but the focus now is on a more classical counterinsurgency effort in which communities are provided with constant, stable security behind which economic development and re-connection to the state can occur -- often abbreviated as clear, hold, and build. The document highlights a regional approach signaled by Richard Holbrooke's appointment as special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also admits candidly the recent decline in security in the country. At times Progress reads like a laundry list of shortfalls in resources, even as compared to long-laid planning estimates for necessary personnel and finances. And although it can cite minor improvements in categories here and there, the overall tone reads as a struggle to find silver linings amidst the gloom. Strikingly, Progress contains almost no discussion of who the insurgents are, and what their real motives might be. It instead focuses on their tactics and presumed overall goal of destabilizing the government.  Indeed even the word "Taliban" does not appear until well into the document.

In some ways this document has already been superseded by events. The U.S. force buildup that it promises has been underway and in operation in Helmand province and elsewhere for some months. The presidential election has occurred and remains mired in signs of massive fraud. The report nevertheless retains interest as both an historical document and as a comprehensive summary of administration intentions. It does not include any military planning details.