Afghanistan Seit 2001 : Eine Beurteilung Der Einsätze Von Spezialkräften Und Konventionellen Truppen Unter Der Massgabe Der USA

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Afghanistan Seit 2001 : Eine Beurteilung Der Einsätze Von Spezialkräften Und Konventionellen Truppen Unter Der Massgabe Der USA Zurich Open Repository and Archive University of Zurich Main Library Strickhofstrasse 39 CH-8057 Zurich www.zora.uzh.ch Year: 2015 Afghanistan seit 2001 : eine Beurteilung der Einsätze von Spezialkräften und konventionellen Truppen unter der Massgabe der USA Holz, Daniel Abstract: Die Publikation untersucht die militärische Situation in Afghanistan seit 2001 mit Fokus auf den Kampf gegen aufständische Gruppierungen und die Interessen der USA. Ein Kernpunkt ist der bewaffnete Widerstand, der sich aus der Talibanbewegung, Resten von Al Kaida und den mit beiden assoziierten unterschiedlich organisierten ausländischen Kämpfern zusammensetzt; hinzu kommt die Problematik mit den lokalen Machthabern. Folgende Fragen stehen im Vordergrund: Inwiefern war der Einsatz von Spezialkräften der USA und Verbu?ndeter hinsichtlich einer gesamtstrategischen Zielsetzung effektiv? Wäre die Lage weniger eskaliert, wenn von Anfang an mehr Bodentruppen eingesetzt worden wären? Welche strategischen Ziele verfolgen die USA am Hindukusch – und das nicht erst seit dem 11.9.2001? Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-164438 Dissertation Published Version Originally published at: Holz, Daniel. Afghanistan seit 2001 : eine Beurteilung der Einsätze von Spezialkräften und konven- tionellen Truppen unter der Massgabe der USA. 2015, University of Zurich, Faculty of Science. STRATEGIE UND KONFLIKTFORSCHUNG Daniel Holz Afghanistan seit 2001 Eine Beurteilung der Einsätze von Spezial kräften und kon­ ventionellen Truppen unter der Maßgabe der USA STRATEGIE UND KONFLIKTFORSCHUNG Afghanistan seit 2001 Eine Beurteilung der Einsätze von Spezial kräften und kon­ ventionellen Truppen unter der Maßgabe der USA Daniel Holz www.vdf.ethz.ch [email protected] Die vorliegende Arbeit wurde von der Philosophischen Fakultät der Universität Zürich im Herbstsemester 2012 auf Antrag von Prof. Dr. Albert A. Stahel als Dissertation angenommen. Bibliografische Information der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet diese Publikation in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über http://dnb.d-nb.de abrufbar. Das Werk einschliesslich aller seiner Teile ist urheberrechtlich ge schützt. Jede Verwertung ausserhalb der engen Grenzen des Urheberrechtsgesetzes ist ohne Zustimmung des Verlages unzulässig und strafbar. Das gilt besonders für Vervielfältigungen, Übersetzungen, Mikroverfilmungen und die Einspeicherung und Verarbeitung in elektronischen Systemen. © Coverabbildung: U.S. Army Spc. Devon Boxa, 7-158th Aviation Regiment, admires the Afghanistan landscape out the back door of her CH-47D Chinook helicopter as another Chinook follows (2010). The US Army (https://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/) Die Herkunft einiger Abbildungen konnte trotz intensiver Recherche nicht geklärt werden. Falls allfällige Rechte tangiert werden, so bitten wir um entsprechende Mitteilung. © 2015, vdf Hochschulverlag AG an der ETH Zürich ISBN 978-3-7281-3659-6 www.vdf.ethz.ch Newsletter bestellen Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Einleitung – Einführung in das Thema………………………….…………….… 3 2 Zielsetzung und Forschungsfragen…………………………….……………….... 9 3 Methodische Vorgehensweise…………………...…….………….……………... 15 3.1 Dokumentenanalyse…………………………………… …………………....... 18 3.2 Eingrenzung des Themas in der Anfangszeit auf OEF und folgend ISAF……..20 4 Hauptteil – Afghanistan als erneuter „Spielball der Mächtigen“……….….....21 4.1 Rahmenbedingungen………………………………………………………….. 21 4.2 Historischer Überblick über Invasoren der Vergangenheit, im Schwerpunkt Großbritannien (GB) und die UdSSR als Vertreter der Neuzeit……………… 21 4.2.1 Entwicklung des Staates Afghanistan bis zur Einflussnahme durch Großbritannien……………………………...…………………………………. 21 4.2.2 Großbritanniens Interesse an Afghanistan…………………………………….. 25 4.2.3 Politisch-militärisches Engagement der Sowjetunion von 1979–1989……….. 30 4.2.4 „Paschtunistan“ – Fiktion mit realen Auswirkungen………………………….. 51 4.3 Definition der Begriffe Asymmetrie, Terrorismus und Taliban…………….… 55 4.3.1 Asymmetrie kennzeichnet die Konflikte in Afghanistan seit jeher…………… 55 4.3.2 Terrorismus in der Ausprägung des internationalen islamistischen Terrorismus………………………………………………...….. 59 4.3.3 Taliban als Phänomen und Gruppierung in Afghanistan……………………… 64 4.4 Interessen der angrenzenden Nachbarstaaten und terroristischer Gruppierungen………………………………………………………………… 73 4.5 Rolle Pakistans: Ein Schlüssel im Konflikt……………………………….…... 83 4.6 Die Sicherheitssituation in Afghanistan seit 2001………………………….…..96 4.7 Strategien………………………………………………………..…………… 102 4.7.1 Welche politischen Ziele verfolgen die USA am Hindukusch anhand ihrer Strategiepapiere?...................................................................................... 102 4.8 Die US-dominierte Militärstrategie auf taktisch/operativem Level zur Bekämpfung des Terrors mit militärischen Mitteln in Afghanistan………124 2 Afghanistan seit 2001 4.9 Einsätze von Spezialkräften der USA und der Koalitionstruppen…….….... 137 4.9.1 Entsendung von Spezialkräften in der Anfangsphase der Operation Enduring Freedom.......................................................................................... 140 4.10 Taktiken…………………………………………………………………...... 157 4.10.1 Einsatz von konventionellen Kräften der USA und der Koalitionstruppen einschließlich der aufzubauenden afghanischen Sicherheitskräfte………… 157 4.10.2 Taktiken und Vorgehensweisen seitens der USA und ihrer Verbündeten in OEF und ISAF………………………………………………...…………. 161 4.10.3 Effektivität von Spezialkräften im Kampf gegen den Terror………………..164 4.11 Taktiken der Anti-Afghan-Forces im Laufe der Jahre 2001–2011……...…. 170 4.11.1 Methoden und Mittel der Al Kaida und Taliban in ihrem Kampf gegen die „Ungläubigen“………………………………………………...… 173 4.11.2 Taktiken, Techniken und Verfahrensweisen der Insurgenten ……………... 174 4.12 Selbstmordattentate als ein Beispiel des Wandels der Widerstandsmethoden……………………………………………………… 177 4.13 Kritik am Vorgehen der Koalitionstruppen im Rahmen von OEF und ISAF........................................................................................................ 181 4.14 Stimmt die US-Strategie? Kritik am Vorgehen der USA und ihrer NATO-Partner....................................................................................... 186 5 Zusammenfassung................................................................................................ 195 6 Ausblick…………………………………………………………………………. 205 7 Literatur/Bibliografie.......................................................................................... 211 8 Abbildungsverzeichnis……………………………..…………………...……….231 9 Glossar/Abkürzungsverzeichnis………………………………………...…….. 234 10 Anlagen………………………………………….....……..………..…………... 236 1 Einleitung – Einführung in das Thema „… Wir waren dreizehntausend Mann, von Kabul unser Zug begann, Soldaten, Führer, Weib und Kind, Erstarrt, erschlagen, verraten sind. Zersprengt ist unser ganzes Heer, Was lebt, irrt draußen in Nacht umher, Mir hat ein Gott die Rettung gegönnt, 1 Seht zu, ob den Rest ihr retten könnt. …“ Abb. 1 Darstellung des Kampfes der Briten bei ihrer Flucht aus Afghanistan, 18422 Diese dramatischen Worte in Theodor Fontanes Ballade „Das Trauerspiel von Afgha- nistan“ von 1859 beleuchtet einen Konflikt, der geschichtlich tiefgründiger ist, als es nach dem seit 2001 verwandten US-Idiom „War on Terror“ zu vermuten wäre. Der Faktor Zeit spielt in diesem Konflikt eine ganz besondere Rolle, die sich auch gut in 1 Fontane, Theodor: Das Trauerspiel von Afghanistan, 1859, unter: www.internetloge.de/arst/afghan/htm; vgl. auch: Bucherer-Dietschi, Paul: Afghanistan, 4. Auflage, Liestal 1986, S. 4. 2 Abbildung: Angriff der Afghanen zwischen Kabul und Jalalabad. Gemälde eines unbekannten Künst- lers, 1842, unter: http://www.nicole-voessler.de/index.php?start=242&page=3&upage=1. 4 Afghanistan seit 2001 einem afghanischen Sprichwort in abgewandelter Form als Metapher wiederfindet: „Der Westen hat die Uhren, wir (die Afghanen: Anm. des Autors) haben die Zeit.“ Die Brisanz im aktuellen Afghanistankonflikt (seit 2001) liegt darin, dass er für die daran beteiligten westlichen Demokratien schon viel zu lange dauert und zudem im- mer mehr Ressourcen und vor allem Truppen bindet, so zuletzt die internationale Truppenverstärkung anlässlich der Präsidentenwahl und die US-Truppenverstär- kungen nach Maßgabe der „neuen“ US-amerikanischen Afghanistanstrategie in 2009. Fast täglich gibt es in der weltweiten Presse Berichte und Reportagen über Afghanis- tan und den schleppenden Wiederaufbau sowie die sich teilweise verschlechternde Sicherheitslage am Hindukusch zu lesen. Sehr lange werden sich die westlichen Demokratien daher diesen Konflikt, in dem sie sehr stark personell wie materiell gebunden sind, im doppelten Wortsinne nicht mehr leisten wollen. Das öffentlich publizierte, vermeintlich sichere Abzugsdatum 2014 ist letztendlich ein Ausdruck dieses Zwangsoptimismus den Erfolg der „Mission“ betref- fend. Das Tragische an diesem Konflikt besteht darin, dass vieles nicht wirklich neu ist und sich in ähnlicher Weise partiell in der Vergangenheit schon einmal abgespielt hat. Auch heute ist Afghanistan in den Fokus des Interesses großer Mächte gerückt, ähn- lich wie im 18. Jahrhundert beim The Great Game, dem „Großen Spiel“3 zwischen Russland und dem britischen Weltreich. Die folgende Karikatur aus der Presse der damaligen Zeit zeigt auf den Punkt bringend die Situation, in der sich Afghanistan im ausgehenden
Recommended publications
  • Contents EDITORIAL, POLITICAL ANALYSIS, 3 a Quarterly Publication of MILITARY REPORT
    AECHAN JEHAD Contents EDITORIAL, POLITICAL ANALYSIS, 3 A Quarterly Publication of MILITARY REPORT, The Cultural Council of Grand table of Afghanwar casualties Afghanistan Resistance (April -June, 1988) Afghans and the Geneva accordon Afghanistan 14 MANAGING EDITOR: ® MAJOR DOCUMENTS: 21 Sabahuddin Kushkaki 1. Text of charter for mujaheddin transitional April-June, 1908 government; (2) Text of Geneva accord on Afghan- istan; (3) IUAM and the Geneva accord; (4) Muja- SUBSCRIPTION heddin offer general amnesty; (5) IUAM President urges trial for PDPA high brass; (6) Biographies Per Six Annual of IUAM transitional cabinet; (7) Biographies of copy months three IUAM leaders; (8) Charters of the IUAM Pakistaa organizations; (9) Annual report of Amnesty In- (Ra.) 30 60 110 ternational on Afghanistan, Foreign AFUHANISTAN IN INTERNATIONAL FORUMS: (s) 6 12 30 1« Islamabad Conference on Afghan future 2. Karachi Islamic meeting 3. Paris Conference: Afghan Agriculture Cultural Council of Afghanist- 0 IRC Survey on health in Afghan refugeecamps.97 Resistance CATALOGUE OF MUJAHEDDIN PRESS House No.8861 St. No. 27, G /9 -1 99 103 Islamabad, Pakistan 0 DIGEST OF MUJAHEDDIN PRESS Telephone 853797 (APRIL-JUNE 1988) ® BOOKS BY THE MUJAHEDDIN, FOR THE 164 MUJAHEDDIN 0 CHRONOLOGY OF AFGHAN EVENTS 168 (APRIL-JUNE 1988) 0 AFGHAN ISSUES COVERAGE: 318 By Radio Kabul, Radio Moscow (April -June, 1988) 0 MAPS 319 -320 0 ABBREVIATIONSLIST 321 FROM MUJAHEDDIN PUBLICATIONS MA Juiacst-- April -June, 19 88 Vol.1, No.4 AFGHAN JEHAD Editorial Q o c':. NC(° IN ME NAME OF GOD, MOST GRACICJUS, MOST MERCI.FU AFTER GENEVA Now that the Russian troops are on than way out from Afghanistan,' the focus on the Afghanistan issue is on two subjects; the nature of government in Kabul and finding a channel for the huge humanitarian assistance which the international community has indicated will provide to the war,ravaged Afghan- istan after the Soviet.
    [Show full text]
  • Teemu Nurmela Finnish Army
    THE SOCIAL BATTLESPACE OF STABILIZATION OPERATIONS – ACTION AMONGST THE PEOPLE Major (GS) Teemu Nurmela Finnish Army Finnish National Defence University Department of Tactics and Operational Art Series 1 No 1/2010 Front cover: A Finnish dismounted patrol handing out leaflets in Kholm, Afghanistan, in the summer of 2009. (Antti Saarelma / Finnish Defence Forces. Used with permission.) © Teemu Nurmela National Defence University, Department of Tactics and Operational Art ISBN 978-951-25-2081-7 ISSN 1238-2744 Edita Prima Oy Helsinki 2010 3 FOREWORD Due to the complexity of conflicts, the human dimension in peacekeeping and stabiliza- tion operations has increased its significance. At the same time understanding of human dimension has not improved at the same rate. The lessons learnt from different missions differ from country to country and from mission to mission. Before this study, very little Finnish or international research exists on the human terrain of a conflict. The purpose of this study is to explore the human dimension of the tactical land operating environment (battlespace) in stabilization operations and thereby interpret the tactical reality of deployed ground troops. This study gives a new perspective and significant information understanding of the actors and situation in operating environment which usually is more than compli- cated. On behalf of department of tactics and operational art, I would like to thank Teemu Nurmela for providing new scientific information to the broad field of military sciences. Santahamina 25.1.2010
    [Show full text]
  • The 2011 Afghanistan Analyst Bibliography
    The Afghanistan Analyst Bibliography 6th Edition - July 2011 Compiled by Christian Bleuer The Afghanistan Analyst Bibliography 6th Edition - July 2011 Compiled by: Christian Bleuer PhD Candidate, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (Middle East and Central Asia) The Australian National University [email protected] Published by The Afghanistan Analyst http://afghanistan-analyst.org Check for updated versions of this bibliography at: http://afghanistan-analyst.org/bibliography.aspx 3 Table of Contents Introduction…………………………………………………………………….…..page 4. 1. Ethnic Groups……………………………………….……………………….….page 5. 2. Conflict and Mobilization: War, Ethnicity, Jihad, Taliban, Factions, “Warlords,” etc… (Late 1970s to the present)……..…………….page 33. 3. Islam: Political Islam, Sharia, “Jihad”, Sects and Religious Affairs.............page 60. 4. State-Building: The International Community, Reconstruction, Security, Economy, Government and Development……………………...…………....page 67. 5. Policy: Announcements, Recommendations and Criticisms……….………page 114. 6. Opium: Cultivation, Drug Use and Trafficking…….……….…..……..…...page 131. 7. Land: Environment, Agriculture, Property Issues, and Natural Resources………………………..……………..………….……page 143. 8. Human Rights ………….………………..……………..……………….……page 152. 9. Women, Gender and Family……………………………..……………….….page 160. 10. Military: Operations, Civil-Military Relations, PRTs and COIN……..…page 171. 11. Security Sector: DDR, Militias, Afghan National Army and Police, PMCs and Security Contractors…………………………………...………page 193.
    [Show full text]
  • Ushaq Al Hoor Download
    CONTENTS History of Afghanistan………………………………………………6 Virtues of the Martyrs………………………………………………14 Tafseer Ibn Katheer MARTYRS 1………………………………………………..17 Dr Sheikh Abdullah Azzam…………………………………………18 The reviver of Jihad in the 20th Century Yahya Senyor Al-Jeddawi……………………………………………23 "Abu Muadh and I smelled the blood of Yahya the Martyr from a distance of 500 metres …” Abu Abdullah Al-Ma'ribi…………………………………………….27 "I will carry my soul in my hand…” Abu Tayyib Al-Maghribi…………………………………………….29 From the splendour of the World he fled Abul-Mundhir Ash-Shareef…………………………………………33 "I love Allah! I love Allah! I love Allah!" Dr. Nasir Al-Jazairi………………………………………………….37 The Doctor of Hearts and Bodies, The Preacher of the Valley Dr. Salih Al-Leebee………………………………………………….40 "...The treatment is prayer, then food, then medicine." Jamaludeen Al-Jazairi………………………………………………45 "I saw Rasheed in a dream eating out of the hands of the Hoor Al-Ain” Shafeeq Ibrahim Al-Madani………………………………………..47 'It is on the shoulders of these men that the Jihad is built' Shamsudeen Al-Afghani……………………………………………..51 The martyred engineer The Signs of ar-Rahmaan in the Jihad of the Afghan……………54 By Sheikh Abdullah Yusuf 'Azzam Yaseen Al- Jazairi…………………………………………………..61 The one who fled from marriage in this Life, to marriage in the Next Abu Saa'id Al-Jeddawi……………………………………………..64 "From the Fields of Football to the Building of Nations" The noor on his forehead (Abu Asim Al-Iraqi)…………………...68 “O, ALLAH! the month of Ramadhan and a blessing like shahadaa in it…” THE COALITION LAUNCHES WAR…………………..69
    [Show full text]
  • Socio-Cultural Analysis with the Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Intelligence Paradigm Topical Strategic Multi-Layer Assessment (SMA) and U.S
    White Volume July 2014 Socio-Cultural Analysis with the Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Intelligence Paradigm Topical Strategic Multi-Layer Assessment (SMA) and U.S. Army Engineer Research Devel- opment Center (ERDC) Multi-Agency/Multi-Disciplinary White Papers in Support of Na- tional Security Challenges Editor: Dr. Charles Ehlschlaeger (ERDC) Contributing Authors: LTG Michael T. Flynn (DIA), Dr. Molly Brown (NASA), Carey L. Baxter (ERDC), Mr. Jeffrey Burkhalter (ERDC), Dr. George W. Calfas (ERDC), Dr. Lynn Copeland (USASOC), Dr. Michael Covington (CI), Ms. Marina Drigo (PG), Dr. Charles Ehlschlaeger (ERDC), Dr. David Ellis (GBH), Mr. Michael Farry (CRA), Melanie Greenberg (AL), Dr. Michael L. Hargrave (ERDC), Christopher Holshek (AL), Ms. Lynndee Kemmet (WP), Mr. David Koelle (CRA), Dr. David A. Krooks (ERDC), Dr. Corey Lofdahl (CRA), Dr. Elizabeth L. Malone (PNNL), Dr. Dawn A. Morrison (ERDC), Richard H. Moss (PNNL), Natalie R. Myers (ERDC), Rick N. Myskey Jr. (AGC), Eric M. Nielsen (ERDC) SFC (ret), Dr. Laura Jean Palmer-Moloney (ERDC & NGA), Timothy K. Perkins (ERDC), Dr. Jonathan Pfautz (CRA), Dr. Chris C. Rewerts (ERDC), Angela M. Rhodes (ERDC), Dr. Valerie B. Sitterle (GaTech), Dr. Steve Shellman (SAE), James Sisco (GBH), Dr. Monica L. Smith (NGA), Dr. Laura Steckman (WBB), Mr. Eli Stickgold (CRA), Dr. Lucy A. Whalley (ERDC), Dr. Marcia Zangrilli (SAE) AGC: Army Geospatial Center; AL: Alliance for Peacebuilding; CI: Covington Innovations; CRA: Charles River Analytics, Inc.; DIA: Defense Intelligence Agency; ERDC: Engineer Re-
    [Show full text]
  • Our Military Forces' Struggle Against Lawless, Media Savvy Terrorist
    OUR MILITARY FORCES’ STRUGGLE AGAINST LAWLESS, MEDIA SAVVY TERRORIST ADVERSARIES Our Military Forces’ Struggle Against Lawless, Media Savvy Terrorist Adversaries A COMPARATIVE STUDY 2nd Edition HIGH LEVEL MILITARY GROUP FEBRUARY 2016 1 OUR MILITARY FORCES’ STRUGGLE AGAINST LAWLESS, MEDIA SAVVY TERRORIST ADVERSARIES Copyright © 2016 by Friends of Israel Initiative All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. 2 OUR MILITARY FORCES’ STRUGGLE AGAINST LAWLESS, MEDIA SAVVY TERRORIST ADVERSARIES TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD 5 ABSTRACT AND KEY CONCLUSIONS 6 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY 9 A NOTE ON METHODOLOGY 16 CASE STUDIES 22 Author Biographies 23 Operation Moshtarak, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, 13 – 25 February 2010 24 2006 Israel – Lebanon Conflict, Southern Lebanon, 12 July – 14 August 2006 38 Operation Al Fajr, Fallujah, Iraq, 7 November – 23 December 2004 53 Operation Serval, Sahel Region, Africa, 11 January – 30 July 2013 66 Operation Barkhane, Sahel Region, Africa, 1 August 2014 – Present-day 77 War Plan Espada de Honor I, Cauca Region, Colombia, 2012 – 2013 84 The Battle of Sadr City, Sadr City, Iraq, 26 March - 15 May 2008 105 United States Drone Campaign in Pakistan, FATA, Pakistan, 2009 – 2015 115
    [Show full text]
  • Halsne, Sigbjørn (2018) the Iron Fist in the Velvet Glove: the Application of Classic Counterinsurgency Theory in Afghanistan 2006-2010
    Halsne, Sigbjørn (2018) The iron fist in the velvet glove: the application of classic counterinsurgency theory in Afghanistan 2006-2010. PhD thesis. https://theses.gla.ac.uk/73007/ Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] The Iron Fist in the Velvet Glove The Application of Classic Counterinsurgency Theory in Afghanistan 2006-10 Sigbjørn Halsne Submitted in the fulfilment of requirements for PhD in War Studies School of humanities College of Arts University of Glasgow October 2018 1 Abstract This thesis examines the soundness of the claim that counterinsurgency theory is no longer valid based on the experiences from Afghanistan. It does so by analysing to which degree three members of the coalition adhered to the theories of counterinsurgency in their operations between 2006-2010. Initially the thesis examines classic counterinsurgency theory. It argues that this theory is mainly characterised by a primacy of politics, that the population is the centre of gravity and a concerted government effort. I further analyses the efforts of Norway, Great Britain and the Netherlands within the framework of classic counterinsurgency theory.
    [Show full text]
  • Norway's Political Test in Faryab, Afghanistan: How to Lead?
    NORWEGIAN PEACEBUILDING CENTRE No. 10 July 2010 Noref Policy Brief Norway’s political test in Faryab, Afghanistan: how to lead? Ståle Ulriksen Executive Summary Norway’s five-year experience as the lead nation of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Meymaneh in Faryab province, north-west Afghanistan, has been marked by an increased level of violence. This violence is often attributed to the greater strength of the Taliban insurgency. But a close analysis suggests that it has other causes. They include traditional local feuds, struggles between different power structures, and competition over drug trafficking. The nature of politics in this part of Afghanistan – where institu- tions are weak, parallel power systems coexist, warlords exercise personalised control, ethnicised divisions are growing, Ståle Ulriksen and older men dominate – underpins these conflicts. The district of Ghormach Ståle Ulriksen is head of the Department of in nearby Badghis province, for which Security and Conflict Management at the Nor- Norway took responsibility in January wegian Institute of Foreign Affairs (NUPI). He 2009, illustrates the problem: here, a se- ries of military operations in an area of served as NUPI’s Deputy Director from 2000 to extreme poverty and intense ethnic rivalry 2006. He studies war and military operations, seems to have caused more problems European military cooperation and integration, than it has solved. and Norwegian security and military develop- ments. Among his latest publications are Webs This complex pattern of conflicts in and of war – “The international community and around Faryab presents Norway with an the handling of regional conflict formations in acute test, which at present PRT Mey- West Africa and Central Africa”, Comparative maneh is not equipped to handle owing to Social Research, forthcoming, 2010; “Deploy- weak political direction and military and ments for Development? Nordic Peacekeeping civilian efforts that are not coordinated.
    [Show full text]
  • Afghanistan's Hard Summer
    AFGHANISTAN’S 43 HARD SUMMER THE IMPACT ON EUROPEAN TROOP CONTRIBUTING NATIONS Toby Archer (editor) BRIEFING PAPER 43, 29 September 2009 AFGHANISTAN’S HARD SUMMER THE IMPACT ON EUROPEAN TROOP CONTRIBUTING NATIONS Toby Archer (editor) Researcher Briefing Paper 43 The Finnish Institute of International Affairs 29 September 2009 Contributing writers from the Finnish Institute of International Affairs: Toby Archer Timo Behr Charly Salonius-Pasternak Valtteri Vuorisalo Barbara Zanchetta from the University of Tartu: Matthieu Chillaud • The increase in fighting in the summer of 2009 has led to renewed debate in many of the countries contributing troops to the international mission in Afghanistan. • In the UK the heavy loss of life amongst British soldiers has been central to the discussion on Britain’s continued contribution. • In Germany the debate has more focused on the increasingly offensive actions that the Bundeswehr is undertaking. • France’s contribution to the Afghanistan mission is less politically controversial than in other European countries because of the president’s power over foreign and security policy. • For many years Italy’s Afghanistan contribution was less politically sensitive compared to the Italian presence in Iraq, but this is changing with the increase in violence in Afghanistan. • In Sweden the annual parliamentary approval process and the increased expeditionary focus of the armed forces have lead to a strong consensus on the need to participate in Afghanistan. • The debate in Finland is sporadic and reactive as there is not an annual parliamentary debate as is the case in Sweden and Germany. Nevertheless Finland’s contribution is centrally linked to the decision made in those countries.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of the NORWEGIAN – LED PRT in MEYMANEH
    A study of THE NORWEGIAN – LED PRT IN MEYMANEH, AFGHANISTAN, AND IT`S CONTRIBUTION TO SECURITY. Lill-Hege Nergård Master’s Thesis in Political Science Faculty of Social Science University of Tromsø Spring 2009 Preface Working with this thesis has been a long and instructive process. The theme of the thesis is of very great present interest and under constant change and development, which has made my work difficult and challenging. Therefore, now that I am finished, the feeling is indescribably good. Several people deserve to be mentioned and thanked for their great help in the process of writing this thesis, and thereby making it possible. First, my informants at NUPI, PRIO, the Norwegian Defence Department and the Norwegian Army deserve a special thank you for having devoted their time to me and shared their thoughts and knowledge. They have also provided me with relevant literature and contacts, which have been of enormous help. A special thanks to my supervisor, Tor Christian Dahl-Eriksen for giving me good guidance and constructive comments during the time of writing. Thank you to Jeff Thomson and Melissa Markussen for proof-reading my english. You have all made this a better thesis. Thank you to my fellow students at lesesalen. At last, but not least, a special thank you goes to my family and friends. You have all given me a great amount of support and encouragement through the time of writing this thesis, for which I am very grateful! Tromsø June 2, 2009 Lill-Hege Nergård Abstract. Today, Norway contributes to the ongoing international operation in Afghanistan, in order to fight insurgency and to reconstruct and contribute to development for the Afghan population by building a democratic state built on the principles of human rights and the rule of law.
    [Show full text]
  • The Us Navy's Elite Fighting Force
    “For those readers looking to become SEALs I suggest you read this book cover to cover and then read it again… For those readers just wanting to gain knowledge and an understanding about the SEALs and the SEAL community there is no other book you need read...” MARCUS LUTTRELL, US NAVY SEAL – AUTHOR OF LONE SURVIVOR SEALsTHE US NAVY’S ELITE FIGHTING FORCE MIR BAHMANYAR with CHRIS OSMAN © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com SEALs THE US NAVY’S ELITE FIGHTING FORCE OSPREY PUBLISHING © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com CONTENTS Authors’ Prefaces 6 Forewords 11 Part I COMMAND STRUCTURE AND TRAINING 15 The US SEALs and Naval Special Warfare Command 16 Training 30 Part II SMALL WARS 1989–2003 69 The Invasion of Panama 1989 70 Counter-Drug Operations in Bolivia 1991 88 Yugoslavia 1999 and Bosnia 2003 92 Part III GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM: AFGHANISTAN 2001–07 97 Afghanistan 98 Camp Rhino 110 Task Force K-Bar Missions 120 Operation Redwing 141 Part IV GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM: IRAQ 2003–07 147 Viet-raq 148 Baghdad 158 Fallujah 169 Mosul and Tall Afar 184 Ramadi 198 Appendices 212 Endnotes 247 Index 252 © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com AUTHORS’ PREFACES MIR BAHMANYAR Former US Marine and US Navy SEAL Chris Osman rang me in my Los Angeles home one afternoon, not to catch up as he does on occasion, but to see if I would be interested in writing a book on Navy SEALs. SEAL is an acronym for SEa, Air, and Land and refers to the methods of insertion and ability to perform missions in these environments.
    [Show full text]
  • UNAMA Protection of Civilians in Conflict Midyear Report for 2012
    AFGHANISTAN MID-YEAR REPORT 2012 PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT Photo: Hoshang Hashimi, Associated Press United Nations Assistance UN Office of the High Mission in Afghanistan Commissioner for Human Rights Kabul, Afghanistan July 2012 Source: UNAMA GIS January 2012 AFGHANISTAN MID-YEAR REPORT 2012 PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT United Nations Assistance UN Office of the High Mission in Afghanistan Commissioner for Human Rights Kabul, Afghanistan July 2012 Photo on front cover taken on 10 April 2012 in Guzara district, Herat province following a VBIED attack at the district headquarter, which killed 13 civilians and injured 57. The attack took place at 8:30 am, as people were waiting in line to collect their national identity card. Mandate This midyear report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict in Afghanistan for 2012 was prepared by the Human Rights Unit of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and covers the period 01 January to 30 June 2012. This report is compiled in pursuance of UNAMA’s mandate under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2041 (2012) “to monitor the situation of civilians, to coordinate efforts to ensure their protection, to promote accountability, and to assist in the full implementation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights provisions of the Afghan Constitution and international treaties to which Afghanistan is a State party, in particular those regarding the full enjoyment by women of their human rights.” UNAMA undertakes a range of activities aimed at minimizing the impact of the armed conflict on civilians including: independent and impartial monitoring of incidents involving loss of life or injury to civilians; advocacy activities to strengthen protection of civilians affected by the armed conflict; and, initiatives to promote compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law, and the Constitution and laws of Afghanistan among all parties to the conflict.
    [Show full text]