Reconstruction and Development - Related Publication

DIIG Current Issues No. 17: Contracting for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan

gsanders — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. government has spent $153B in 2008 dollars on contracts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and their neighborhoods since fiscal year (FY) 2001, according to the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). In June 2009, 194,000 contractors were working for the U.S. government in Iraq and Afghanistan, compared to 190,000 U.S. troops. At least 1,200 contractors have been killed in the two wars.

The Afghan Decision

ian — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

If Abdullah’s decision to withdraw from a second round of voting holds, President Obama must then make a decision that will define his presidency. President Obama will have to take personal responsibility for the outcome of the war in Afghanistan, betting his historical reputation and second term on the outcome.

Afghan National Security Forces

amausner — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Afghan National Security forces: Forging the Right Key to Victory

Iraq: Creating a Strategic Partnership

amausner — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The recent bombings in Iraq have shown that the Iraq War is scarcely over. The insurgency is still capable of major bombings and efforts to renew ethnic and sectarian conflict. Iraq faces other internal challenges like tensions between Arabs and Kurds, and is years away from achieving lasting security and stability.

Iraq: Security and the Challenges of Lasting "Victory"

amausner — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The Changing Challenge to Iraqi Security

Iraq versus Afghanistan: A Surge Is Not a Surge Is Not a Surge

ian — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The Politics of Aid: Controversy Surrounds the Pakistan Aid Bill

pfrank — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The recent controversy created by the passing of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, informally known as Kerry-Lugar, provides a window into the challenges surrounding attempts to forge a new relationship with the people and government of Pakistan. The bill, which triples U.S.

The Afghan War

amausner — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The Afghan-Pakistan conflict is a complex conflict that covers two countries and has ideological, political, governance, economic, military, and security dimensions that are extremely difficult to measure and portray in summary form.

Legitimacy and the Afghan Elections

amausner — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Shape, Clear, Hold, and Build

amausner — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The US experience in the Afghan and Iraq Wars is scarcely over. It has, however, already produced a wide range of lessons. Some are narrow and apply largely at the tactical or technical level.