Afghanistan CRS Report March 2018. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has published an update to its periodic report to Congress about Afghanistan. The contents of the 20 page report is outlined below:
- Overview
- Political Situation
- Reconciliation Efforts and Obstacles
- Military and Security Situation
- ANDSF Development and Deployment
- U.S. Troop Levels and Authorities
- Pakistan and Other Neighbors
- Revised Regional Approach
- Economy and U.S. Aid
- Outlook
The report states that the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) special operations component numbers nearly 20,000 and is used extensively to reverse Taliban gains. The efforts of the Afghan Special Security Forces (ASSF) make up 70% – 80% of the fighting.
Assessment of the military and security situation:
“While U.S. commanders assert that the ANDSF is performing well despite taking heavy casualties, insurgent forces retain, and by some measures are increasing, their ability to contest and hold territory as well as to launch high-profile attacks.”
The report is a good overview of the various aspects of the current situation in Afghanistan. It provides very little specific information about special operations activities and operations.
Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy In Brief, Congressional Research Service, March 5, 2018.
www.everycrsreport.com/reports/R45122.html
