The Taliban’s swift takeover of Afghanistan gives them access to a massive arsenal of U.S. weapons left behind by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. This brief gives an overview of the arms the U.S. has transferred to Afghanistan over the last 20 years and the risks they might pose in the hands of the Taliban.
Country: Afghanistan
The Biden Administration’s Plans for Post-Withdrawal Security Assistance in Afghanistan
Evershifting Goalposts: Lessons Learned from 20 Years of Security Assistance in Afghanistan
Issue Brief: Biden Sets September Date for Afghanistan Withdrawal
On April 13th, 2021, President Biden announced that he intends to withdraw all remaining U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11th, 2021. Though the date extends the stay of U.S. forces past the May 1 deadline previously negotiated with the Taliban, concerns persist that the Afghan government and its security forces will not be able to sustain themselves or prevent a Taliban takeover without the presence of foreign troops.
Issue Brief: The Afghan Defense Sector Amidst a U.S. Drawdown
Just one week After President Trump asserted that all U.S. troops in Afghanistan would be home by Christmas, National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien has confirmed that at least 2,500 American soldiers will remain in Afghanistan into 2021. The contradictory information reflects divisions within the U.S. government regarding the timeframe and conditions of a U.S withdrawal from Afghanistan, and takes place amidst faltering peace talks between the Afghan central government and the Taliban.
Issue Brief: Afghan Security Aid Amidst Prospects for Peace
As the U.S. looks to finalize a peace agreement to end its longest war, this issue brief gives an overview of Afghanistan’s security aid package in context.
The Rocky U.S.-Pakistan Security Relationship
Since 9/11, Pakistan has been one of the largest recipients of U.S. security aid. The strategic border it shares with Afghanistan as well as its own vulnerability to substate armed groups initially suggested that Pakistan would make an ideal regional partner for counterterrorism operations. But after billions of dollars in U.S. security assistance provided to Pakistan through State and Defense Department programming, the return on investment has been disappointing at best.
Defense Bill Breakdown: Key Military Aid Issues in the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act
The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2017 seeks to make numerous changes to existing Department of Defense security assistance policy and authorities. This infographic attempts to show you the important differences between the House, Senate, and Conference versions. Portions of the NDAA seek to improve accountability and transparency by requiring more detailed annual reports on security assistance initiatives.
Military Aid Dependency: What Are the Major U.S. Risks Around the World?
The United States invests over $15 billion in foreign military and police aid every year, but what are the risks when such aid accounts for a large percentage of foreign national defense budgets? The following image depicts the top ten countries most reliant on U.S. military aid in 2015 and some of the risks associated with such practices.
U.S. Security Assistance to Central Asia
U.S. Security Assistance to Central Asia: A Post-Afghanistan Shift in Strategy