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WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 10, 2008) - Though positive
developments have taken place in Afghanistan, the United States,
the Afghan government and NATO still face a classic insurgency
"fueled by ideology, poppy, poverty, crime and corruption,"
complicated by political upheaval in Pakistan, Defense Secretary
Robert M. Gates said today.
Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen
testified before the House Armed Services Committee.
"The persistent and increasing violence resulting from an
organized insurgency is, of course, our greatest concern," Gates
told the lawmakers. "The president has decided to send more troops
to Afghanistan in response to resurgent extremism and violence
reflecting greater ambition, sophistication and coordination."
President Bush announced yesterday that a Marine battalion will
deploy to Afghanistan in November to take up the training mission
for Afghan security forces. An Army brigade combat team will begin
deploying in January to the country. About 31,000 U.S.
servicemembers are in Afghanistan today.
The number and sophistication of Taliban and al-Qaida attacks
have increased since the spring. Attacks against a U.S. border
outpost, a French-Afghan patrol and a prison in the south showed
the Taliban still are potent enemies, Gates said.
"In some cases, this is a result of safe havens in Pakistan and
reduced military pressure on that side of the border," he said. "In
others, it is the result of more international and Afghan troops on
the battlefield - troops that are increasingly in contact with the
enemy."
NATO has increased its forces in Afghanistan to roughly 31,000,
and NATO allies and other associated countries have promised more
troops for the future. But NATO's International Security Assistance
Force still faces shortfalls and coordination problems, the
secretary said. Liaison among military units, civilian agencies and
nongovernmental agencies - especially at the provincial
reconstruction teams - is difficult, he said.
Military force is only part of the equation in the country,
Gates said. "Security is just one aspect of the campaign, alongside
development and governance," he explained. "We must maintain
momentum, keep the international community engaged and develop the
capacity of the Afghan government."
All entities must work together better than they have been to
confront Afghanistan's problems, the secretary said. "I am still
not satisfied with the level of coordination and collaboration
among the numerous partners and many moving parts associated with
civil reconstruction and development and building the capacity of
the Afghan government," he told the House panel.
And the enemy has a vote, too, the secretary said. Taliban and
al-Qaida forces are using the tribal areas on the border between
Pakistan and Afghanistan as a safe haven.
"As in Iraq, until the insurgency is deprived of safe havens,
insecurity and violence will persist," Gates said. "We are working
with Pakistan in a number of areas, and I do believe that Islamabad
appreciates the magnitude of the threat from the tribal areas -
particularly considering the uptick in suicide bombings directed at
Pakistani targets."
The Pakistani government is in flux, with a new president in
office. But the country is critical for success in the region,
Gates said. The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is
mountainous and forbidding. The hills are pockmarked with caves
that only natives know. And the region is home to tribes that
straddle the border, unaccustomed to stopping at a border
checkpoint before going to see relatives.
"During this time of political turmoil in Pakistan, it is
especially crucial that we maintain a strong and positive
relationship with the government, since any deterioration would be
a setback for both Pakistan and Afghanistan," Gates said. "The war
on terror started in this region. It must end there."
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