'Mobilizing Afghan Militias: Civil Defense Forces Vs. "Tribal Militias"', Middle East Times, 16 February 2009
EXCERPT: "Empowering supposed 'tribal militias' in Afghanistan as a means to defend areas outside of the immediate control of Afghanistan's National Security Forces (ANSF) from Taliban and other insurgent groups has become a popular option for U.S. military strategists to consider. Over the last two years, Afghan-based insurgents have increasingly attacked and overran villages, established parallel 'shadow' governments and expanded their influence over large swaths of territory. Stepped up expansion efforts by insurgent factions have succeeded in overrunning once neutral areas in close proximity to Kabul, especially in Wardak and Logar Provinces; a mere 30 miles southwest of Kabul. The government of Afghanistan also shares blame for the collapse in stability, failing to maintain a strong federal presence outside of Kabul and the inability to field a comprehensive police apparatus able to protect ordinary Afghans has provided the fertile soil for anti-government activities to flourish in. The disintegration of security at the district and village level has eroded public support for the central government and has left many Afghans feeling disillusioned and fearful of the future."
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See also:
'Afghanistan: Ground realities and unwise strategies', Islam Online, 15 February 2009
'Afghanistan's critical moment', ISN, 10 February 2009
Related posts:
'US, NATO forces in advanced plans to create citizen militias', 11 February 2009
'Disputes cloud Afghan "public guards" plan', 23 January 2009
'Tribal leaders to sabotage West's assault on Taliban', 4 December 2008
'Enlisting tribes against militants carries risks', 24 November 2008
'US: Tribal leaders still in charge', 28 February 2008
