Chapter 1 : Turkey role in reconstruction and stability of Afghanistan At the moment thousands of Turkey soldiers are in Afghanistan for stability and security of Afghanistan. For development of regional relationship and cooperation Turkey does a lot of efforts. Turkey is the first Islamic country who has NATO membership. The discussions focused on how to reverse the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and implement the political-military recommendations adopted at the January 28 London Conference on Afghanistan. On January, Istanbul hosted two other Afghanistan-related meetings. The second involved officials from these three countries as well as from China, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United Kingdom and other countries. Turkey has twice led ISAF: Turkey currently has approximately 1, troops in Afghanistan. While the Turkish government has refused to deploy its troops on explicit counterinsurgency or counterterrorist operations in Afghanistan, its military forces within ISAF have helped train members of the Afghan Army and the Afghan Police in these tactics. In this regard, Turkish instructors can draw on the experience the Turkish military has gained in its many years of conducting counterinsurgency and counterterrorist operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party PKK, al-qaeda, and other militant groups. In Kabul, Turkish troops train hundreds of Afghan soldiers and assist in reconstruction projects. They also patrol the city to reassure citizens about their security. Turkey also collaborates with other NATO members such as France and Italy in a joint Kabul headquarters to promote security in the capital area. Its mixed contingent of civilian and military personnel train the Afghan Police, improve judicial administration, develop public infrastructure, and support projects aimed at raising the quality of life of the local population. The Turkish government and Turkish non-governmental organizations have supported several humanitarian and economic reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. These have included education, health, housing, and infrastructure improvement projects. TIKA projects have also helped dig wells to provide citizens with safe drinking water. Turks have constructed or rebuilt several hospitals and health clinics in Afghanistan and have supported other health initiatives in the country. Economic considerations also sustain Turkish interest in ending the Afghan conflict. The continued fighting has prevented Afghanistan from joining with Turkey and other countries in providing a Eurasian east-west land route for Central Asian exports to European markets. Turkey aims to become a major transit country for trade between Asia and Europe, but regional insecurity has discouraged foreign investment in east-west railroad, highway, and pipeline projects. The Turkish government has launched several diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing the sources of regional instability. Many of these initiatives have focused on improving relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since, Turkey has hosted four annual trilateral summit meetings involving Turkish, Afghan, and Pakistani representatives, including their presidents as well as senior intelligence and military officials. Turkish officials have also discussed regional security issues related to Afghanistan with representatives of Iran and other Eurasian countries. Like the current U. In particular, Pakistani support is needed for inducing the Afghan Taliban to end its insurgency since the insurgents use Pakistani territory as a base of operations. They also discussed cooperating on health, education, and other socioeconomic projects. These obstacles include a porous border region, which facilitates drugs trafficking, and a pair of weak central governments, whose security forces have proven unable to suppress the Taliban insurgents who operate in the common border region and enjoy some support among the large Pashtun community that straddles the Afghanistan-Pakistan frontier. Turkey has unique cultural and geographic assets in this regard. Turkey is the only NATO country having a Muslim-majority population, a valuable attribute for a Western-led military operation in a Muslim-majority country Afghanistan and region Central Asia. Turkey, which has the second highest number of troops of any NATO member after the United States, accrues certain advantages within the alliance from its prominent role in Afghanistan. Turkey remains excluded from most EU security activities. These include a concern about becoming bogged down in an unwinnable war, alienation from U. These concerns, manifested in low popular support for Turkish Page 1
participation in the war, have made the Turkish government cautious about its level of involvement, especially in the military realm. NATO governments have declared a year of decision in Afghanistan. He and other Turkish officials explained that they prefer to focus their military contributions on training Afghan security forces, undertaking economic reconstruction projects, and supporting other non-combat missions. We need to give equipment and training to Afghan forces. Gates told the media that U. NATO suffers from a major shortfall in such crucial training, one more severe than its unmet quota of combat troops. This article may be reprinted provided that the following sentence be included: Read times Last modified on Monday, 16 June Page 2
Chapter 2 : NATO vow long-term security support to Afghanistan Pajhwok Afghan News KABUL (Pajhwok): NATO has reaffirmed commitment for long-term security and stability in Afghanistan and termed the role of regional actors important in support to peace and stabilisation in Afghanistan, a media release from alliance said on Thursday. According to General Norbert Van Heyst, such a deployment would require at least ten thousand additional soldiers. The responsibility for security throughout the whole of Afghanistan was to be given to the newly reconstituted Afghan National Army. Approximately additional soldiers were deployed to that region, marking the first time that ISAF soldiers operated outside of Kabul. After the Afghan parliamentary election, the Canadian base Camp Julien in Kabul closed, and the remaining Canadian assets were moved to Kandahar as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in preparation for a significant deployment in January, The mandates given by the different governments to their forces varied from country to country. You can help by converting this article to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. This force arrived in December, Until ISAF expanded beyond Kabul, the force consisted of a roughly division-level headquarters and one brigade covering the capital, the Kabul Multinational Brigade. The brigade was composed of three battle groups, and was in charge of the tactical command of deployed troops. ISAF headquarters served as the operational control center of the mission. Eighteen countries were contributors to the force in February,, and it was expected to grow to 5, soldiers. During this period, the number of Turkish troops increased from about to 1, Around 1, German troops served in the force alongside Dutch soldiers operating as part of a German-led battalion. Turkey relinquished command in February,, and assumed command for a second time in February, The expansion of its zone of activities saw ISAF troops operating in 50 percent of Afghanistan, double its previous responsibility. In Kabul on 7 June, a taxi packed with explosives rammed a bus carrying German ISAF personnel, killing four soldiers and wounding 29 others; one Afghan bystander was killed and 10 Afghan bystanders were wounded. The 33 German soldiers, after months on duty in Kabul, were en route to the Kabul International Airport for their flight home to Germany. ISAF command originally rotated among different nations every six months. However, there was tremendous difficulty securing new lead nations. In February,, South Korea sent a medical contingent of 99 soldiers. A study by Care International in the summer of reported that Kosovo had one peacekeeper to 48 people, East Timor one for every 86, while Afghanistan has just one for every 5, people. About 90 percent of the force was contributed by NATO nations. By far the largest single contingent, 1, were Canadian. About 2, German troops were involved, and Romania had about troops at the time. During this time-frame, Canada was the largest contributor to the ISAF force, providing 2, troops. Canada reduced its forces to about personnel. With a force of, Georgia became the first Commonwealth of Independent States country to send an operational force to Afghanistan. As the area of responsibility was increased, ISAF also took command of an increasing number of PRTs, with the aim of improving security and facilitating reconstruction outside the capital. The new area was the former U. During, Italy commanded four multinational military operations: The Alliance also temporarily deployed 2, additional troops to Afghanistan to support 18 September provincial and parliamentary elections. Operation Enduring Freedom troops in Helmand Province. In February,, the Netherlands expanded its troop contribution with an extra 1, soldiers. This was the first time U. The first element of this plan was the expansion of ISAF to the south in, also known as Stage 3. The number of ISAF forces in the country also increased significantly, from about 10, prior to the expansion to about 20, after. The mission was led by the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. Regional Command South was established at Kandahar. Led by Canada, 8, soldiers were positioned there. With the Taliban regrouping, especially in its birthplace of Kandahar province bordering Pakistan, NATO launched its biggest offensive against the guerrillas at the weekend of 2 and 3 September Operation Medusa. On 7 September, a British soldier was killed and six were wounded when their patrol strayed into an unmarked minefield in Helmand, the major opium poppy-growing province west of Kandahar. ISAF takes responsibility for entire Page 3
country â completed October [ edit ] On 5 October, ISAF implemented the final stage of its expansion by taking over command of the international military forces in eastern Afghanistan from the U. On 21 October, the Canadian government expressed frustration over the unwillingness of some European NATO members to deploy troops to help fight mounting Taliban resistance in the south. October to present[ edit ] Anaconda Strategy vs the insurgents as of In November, a study by the Joint Co-ordinating and Monitoring Board, made up of the Afghan government, its key foreign backers and the U. N, suggested that more than 3, people died from January to November The majority of the dead appeared to be insurgents, but it was estimated that 1, civilians had been killed that year, along with members of the Afghan National Army, ISAF, and U. Operation Enduring Freedom forces. Combat curbs were the most contentious issue at the two-day summit in Latvia, following tension over the reluctance of France, Germany, Spain, and Italy to send troops to southern Afghanistan. Countries agreeing to ease the restrictions on deployment against the Taliban insurgency included the Dutch, Romanians, and smaller nations such as Slovenia and Luxembourg. France, Germany, Spain, and Italy agreed to send help to trouble zones outside their areas, but only in emergencies. The summit also saw several countries offer additional troops and training teams. France agreed to send more helicopters and aircraft. NATO commanders said they believed they could move an additional 2, troops around the country after some smaller members relaxed their mission conditions. On 4 February, U. Analysts reported that he planned to place a heavier emphasis on fighting than on peace deals. On 6 March, NATO-ISAF launched Operation Achilles, an offensive to bring security to northern Helmand and set the conditions for meaningful development that would fundamentally improve the quality of life for Afghans in the area. The operation eventually involved more than 4, NATO troops and nearly 1, Afghan soldiers in Helmand province, according to the alliance. It focused on improving security in areas where Taliban extremists, narco-traffickers and other elements were trying to destabilize the government of Afghanistan, and on empowering village elders. The overarching purpose was to assist the government in improving its ability to begin reconstruction and economic development in the area. Strategically, the goal was also to enable the government to begin the Kajaki hydro-energy project. Army, assumed command of ISAF. K, forces mounted Operation Diesel raid in Helmand province. Operation Zafar lasted one week and Operation Zafar 2 lasted four days. Operation Mar Lewe lasted three days. On 15 June, General Stanley A. Army, assumed command of NATO forces. Richardson as "one of the main Taliban strongholds" ahead of the Afghan presidential election. This operation was the largest U. Three NATO states announced withdrawal plans beginning in Canada in, [24] Poland, in, [25] and the United Kingdom in British commanders said that the fighting for them was the fiercest since the Korean War, 50 years previously. On 19 October, for example, the Dutch government decided to send more troops because of increasing attacks by suspected Taliban on their Task Force Uruzgan, making it very difficult to complete the reconstruction work that they sought to accomplish. For example, Dutch soldiers used military force to protect eradication units that came under attack. Crop eradication often affects the poorest farmers who have no economic alternatives on which to fall back. Without alternatives, these farmers no longer can feed their families, causing anger, frustration, and social protest. Thus, being associated with this counterproductive drug policy, ISAF soldiers on the ground found it difficult to gain the support of the local population. Drug laboratories and drug traders became the targets, and not the poppy fields themselves. Security Council Resolutions, under the existing operational plan, ISAF can act in concert with the Afghans against facilities and facilitators supporting the insurgency, subject to the authorization of respective nations The idea of a review is, indeed, envisioned for an upcoming meeting. Military and civilian casualties[ edit ] This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. February Main articles: Consequently, effective from 2 July, coalition air and ground combat operations were ordered to take steps to minimize Afghan civilian casualties in accordance with a tactical directive issued by General Stanley A. While these diminished, in part due to the planned ending of combat operations on 31 December, they continued to occur, albeit at a lower frequency. On 5 August, a gunman believed to have been an Afghan soldier opened fire on a Page 4
number of international soldiers, killing a U. Greene, and wounding about 15 officers and soldiers, including a German brigadier general and several U. The north and west were relatively calm, while ISAF and Afghan forces in the south and east came under almost daily attack. In December the force reportedly numbered 18, from 48 states. Page 5
Chapter 3 : The Challenge of Stability and Security in West Africa The Afghanistan Reconstruction Group (ARG) was designed to serve an advisory role to both the U.S. and Afghan governments. USIP convened its Afghanistan Working Group to assess its shortcomings and potential for future success. We have now begun to evaluate ARG successes and shortcomings as well as. Kazakhstan and Afghanistan established diplomatic relations on Feb. In September, Kazakhstan opened a diplomatic mission in Kabul, which became the embassy in June We now have a good bilateral relationship, strengthened by consistent and dynamic development over many areas. From a political point, Kazakhstan stands for the early establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan, including through the further development of bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation. The two governments have a mutual understanding on many political issues of the international agenda. We support the peaceful initiatives of the international community aimed at resolving the Afghan crisis; we are actively participating in the Heart of Asia â Istanbul process. Kazakhstan has extended its support to the Kabul Process, a new peace initiative by Afghanistan. We welcome the active engagement of our Central Asian partners on platforms including those such as the Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan in March An inter-parliamentary relationship is being endorsed at the level of the leadership of both chambers of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, its deputy committees and commissions. As part of this cooperation, the two countries regularly exchange delegations. You said at the UN Security Council meeting in New York in March that Afghanistan continues to face political and economic problems, as well as security threats. How does Kazakhstan help the IRA overcome these challenges? Kazakh-Afghan trade turnover is steadily growing. Smaller volumes of fertilisers, medicines, metal rods, auto parts and other goods have also been in consistent demand. I would like to note that the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation plays an important role in the development of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. To strengthen its work, there is a need to make maximum use of the existing railway routes along the line of Kazakhstan â Turkmenistan â Iran to the border with Afghanistan. For the regular supply of Kazakh grain and flour to Afghanistan, there is a need to reduce barriers in the documentation and transportation of flour products. In this regard, we pin high hopes on a new railway line from Turkmenistan to the border with Afghanistan. In the field of cultural and humanitarian cooperation in recent years, we have successfully launched the Kazakh-Afghan state educational programme of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the training of 1, Afghan students. Until now, about people have completed the programme. I can confirm that the Government of National Unity of Afghanistan and the Afghan people are highly interested in the continuation of the programme. Earlier, Kazakhstan had announced an initiative to continue this programme with European Union participation. We will keep you and your colleagues informed about the status of this project. This event was held because Kazakhstan attaches great importance to empowering women and strengthening stability in Afghanistan. Among concrete deliverables of the conference I would list the following: Sports representatives and the National Olympic Committee of Afghanistan are also willing to develop cooperation with their Kazakh counterparts. The Afghans participated in the Winter Universiade in Almaty; an analogue of Kazakh kokpar â the equestrian sport game bozkashi is very popular among Afghan youth. In addition, public and private higher education institutions of the IRA would like to establish an exchange with their Kazakh colleagues to conduct training of Afghan students in Kazakhstan on a fee-paying basis. The National Archives, the National Museum and the National Library of Afghanistan have also expressed willingness to cooperate with similar Kazakh institutions. I would like to underscore that these organisations may have authentic sources and historic scripts related to the Kazakh Khanate. In the field of medicine, the Afghan Ministry of Health is interested in establishing cooperation with Kazakhstan for training Afghan women in medical universities of Kazakhstan, purchasing medical products and developing medical tourism. So far, a draft memorandum on such cooperation has been sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan. Kazakhstan fulfilled and continues to fulfill its international Page 6
pledge of economic assistance to the IRA. The repair was completed in October and the school in The hospital construction, suspended previously by the Afghan side, was resumed in October In, we provided scheduled financial assistance to the Afghan province of Samangan for the construction of specific infrastructure facilities. The bridges were necessary to strengthen the banks of the Aibak River in the province of Samangan. Currently, the Afghan side is implementing the project. In October, Astana received a letter from the government of Afghanistan with a request for humanitarian food aid in connection with drought and natural disasters in the country. As a non-permanent member of the council, for the first time in the history of this major international organisation Kazakhstan represents not only Central Asia, but also Afghanistan, promoting the interests of this country among our priorities. Can we say that Kazakhstan is becoming not only a regional, but a global player? Central Asia is reasonably viewed by the international community as a model for successful regional cooperation. It is significant that Kazakhstan has put forward the initiative to integrate Afghanistan into the region to advance the peace process in this country. Most Recent Stories in Opinions. Chapter 4 : New study: Indiaâ s role in Afghanâ s econ stability number of security forces in Afghanistan, to improve governance and effectiveness of aid, and to persuade the neighboring countries to help in restoring peace in Afghanistan. 11 Delegates from nearly 70 countries were. Chapter 5 : International Security Assistance Force - Wikipedia Turkish officials have also discussed regional security issues related to Afghanistan with representatives of Iran and other Eurasian countries. Like the current U.S. administration, Turkish officials argue that any enduring solution to the Afghanistan conflict will require better relations between the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Chapter 6 : Turkey's Efforts to Support Afghanistan's Reconstruction â Regional actors, especially the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) played a pivotal role in bringing an end to conflict â Rapid mobilization of foreign aid for reconstruction and development supported stability. Chapter 7 : International Security Assistance Force The ability of the U.S. military to quickly provide small-scale humanitarian relief and reconstruction services in Afghanistan enhanced the operational effectiveness of U.S. forces in that nation, a new RAND report suggests. The report examines the use of the Commander's Emergency Response Program. Page 7