Afghanistan Security: Further Congressional Action May Be Needed to Ensure Completion of a Detailed Plan to Develop and Sustain Capable Afghan National Security Forces; Congressional rept

摘要

Since 2002, the United States has worked to develop the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The Department of Defense (Defense), through its Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A), directs U.S. efforts to develop the Afghan National Army (ANA) and, in conjunction with the Department of State (State), the Afghan National Police (ANP). To follow up on recommendations from GAO's 2005 report on the ANSF, GAO analyzed the extent to which U.S. plans for the ANSF contain criteria they recommended. GAO also examined progress made and challenges faced in developing the ANA and ANP. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed Defense, State, and contractor documents and met with cognizant officials. GAO has prepared this report under the Comptroller General's authority to conduct evaluations on his own initiative. To ensure action on GAO's 2005 recommendation and a 2008 Defense Authorization Act mandate, Congress should consider conditioning a portion of future appropriations on completion of a coordinated, detailed plan for the ANSF, including a sustainment strategy. State expressed concerns about conditioning future funding, and Defense disagreed, stating that current guidance is sufficient. GAO maintains that a coordinated, detailed plan is essential to accountability of U.S. efforts to develop the ANSF.