The Pentagon’s lead inspector general for overseas missions is citing ‘minimal progress” in Afghanistan over the first three months of the year, in a report belying recent upbeat assessments from U.S. commanders there.
“The percentage of the population living in areas under the control or influence of the Afghan government showed little positive change this quarter,” says the report to Congress issued Monday.
The report notes that the NATO-led Operation Resolute Support has a goal of increasing the percentage of the Afghan population living in areas under government control or influence to 80 percent by the end of 2019, which it has defined as a “possible tipping point” that would compel the Taliban to negotiate.
But in the last three months, the percent of people living in territory controlled by the Afghan government is virtually unchanged, 65 percent in January of 2018 compared to 64 percent the previous quarter, the report said.
The report cites a number of measures, all of which were negative for the period of January through March of 2018.
“This quarter the Taliban continued to hold territory and launched devastating terrorist attacks in Kabul and across the country. The United Nations also reported that civilian casualties during the quarter were at near record high levels, and U.S. intelligence officials predicted that the overall security and economic situation in Afghanistan would deteriorate modestly this year,” wrote Glenn Fine, principal deputy inspector general, in a preface to the report.
“In addition, Afghan officials again delayed the country’s parliamentary elections, and Pakistan showed no clear signs that it is eliminating safe havens for the Taliban and other militant groups. Although both the Taliban and the Afghan government made overtures toward a peace process, significant gaps exist between negotiating positions, and the two sides have not agreed on how to move forward with a reconciliation process,” Fine wrote.
Asked about the disconnect between the pessimistic assessment of the government watchdog and upbeat statement of from progress by the U.S. military, a Pentagon spokesman insisted there was no contradiction.
“Chaos and progress can coexist and that’s exactly what we feel is happening in Afghanistan,” said Col. Rob Manning in reaction the report. “We feel like progress is being made.”
