Key Events

International Security Assistance Force [ISAF]~ ISAF’s mission has evolved from one focused primarily on combat to an enabling Security Force Assistance [SFA] role, which centres on training, advising and assisting its Afghan partners. The aim of this evolution is to ensure that ISAF continues to support the development of ANSF operational effectiveness, so that they are able to fully assume their security responsibilities by the completion of the transition to full Afghan security responsibility at the end of 2014. And if you haven't noticed it's getting quite close to the end of 2014. The post-2014 mission will be called “Resolute Support” and will not be a combat mission. It's planned to be in a smaller size and they will focus on mainly the security ministries and national institutional levels and on the higher levels of army and police commands.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO]~ NATO had led military presence of about 150,000 troops is consistent with Afghan mores and whether the government of President Hamid Karzai is up for the challenge of governing and keeping order the diverse land they have.

Obama~ He has more than doubled the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan since he's taken office, and his administration's protracted decision-making process last fall, which resulted in the president's authorizing 30,000 more troops for the Afghan mission was very serious, and intense. But to some in Washington, Kabul, and other places the timing of the review was signaled fundamental uncertainty lies on the him and only him.