The Pentagon is working on force structure plans for continuing to advice and assist Afghan forces well past the 2014 drawdown date previously set between NATO and the Kabul government. US Army. (US Army)
DoD Making Plans To Possibly Stay In Afghanistan After 2014 -- Defense News
WASHINGTON — The Afghan Army and police will “require substantial training, advising and assistance” well past the announced 2014 NATO departure, according to a new Pentagon report released Tuesday.
While the White House is reportedly considering a “zero option” of withdrawing all US forces after 2014 if a status of forces agreement can’t be reached with the Kabul government, the military has been making plans to leave a force behind after the majority of NATO troops leave.
End strength numbers for the Afghan Army and police have been reached and are largely being maintained even with massive rates of attrition, and Afghans themselves are now handling a majority of the basic training activities, said Peter Lavoy, acting assistant secretary of defense for Asia Pacific security affairs.
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My Comment: This is a shocking report .... 4,000 to 7,0000 Afghan soldiers defecting every month .... coupled with Afghanistan's endemic culture of corruption .... I just do not see how the Afghan government will be able to exert any influence outside of Kabul once U.S. and NATO forces leave.
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