052612 Leading by Following
On HQ ISAF there are many nationalities represented under the NATO umbrella. Iraq was for the most part, a US led effort. Afghanistan has been a NATO endeavor due the world politics involved. With the recent election victory of Mr. Holland (a socialist) in France, there seems to be renewed emphasis by France and other NATO countries to pull out of Afghanistan by the end of 2013 (which is a year earlier than what has been planned for some time now.) Frankly the drawdown can't come soon enough (in my opinion alone.) General Allen seems to agree that a 2013 drawdown date is possible but he doesn't want any troop reductions. So the troop strength in AF would remain around 68,000 through 2013. Now if troop strength is 68,000, then contractors will be at least that amount or more. Contractor numbers never seem to be reported in articles. General Allen is also advocating paying the Afghan army $4-$5 BILLION dollars a year after 2013 to maintain law and order in AF. Initially that may seems a ridiculous amount of money to pay but it really does pale in comparison to current costs to maintain a US Military presence (which is estimated at anywhere from $80-$100 BILLION a year. Anyway, here are some of the referenced articles.
It's also interesting to note how the General will be changing his strategy over the next year to support a 2013 drawdown/pullout. Once an area has been secured, it will be handed over to the Afghans, immediately. In the past there would be a 'transition period'. Afghans will take the lead but the US forces will be right behind them as support 'should they be needed'. It's an interesting 'leading by following' stategy he'll be putting in place. We'll see if it works. The pics/article above is about one of the 'leaders' the the US will follow. It's all pretty interesting.
R/Chris
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