The goal and objectives in the US AFPAK policy

The goal and objectives in the US AFPAK policy

Following the August 2009 national election in Afghanistan, President Obama led a strategic review or the overall U.S. policy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. On December 1, 2009, in a speech at West Point, New York, the President reaffirmed his goal in Afghanistan and Pakistan to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaida and its extremist allies and prevent their return to either country. In support of that goal, there are eight objectives that form the framework for our quarterly assessments. The eight supporting objectives, along with the lead responsible departments are:

I. Disrupt terrorist networks in Afghanistan and especially Pakistan to degrade any ability they have to plan and launch international terrorist attacks. (Office of the Director of National Intelligence);

II. Please see the classified annex for details concerning this objective;

III. Assist efforts to enhance civilian control and stable constitutional government in Pakistan. (Department of State);

IV. Develop Pakistan counterinsurgency (COIN) capabilities; continue to support Pakistan's efforts to defeat terrorist and insurgent groups. (Department of Defense);

V. Involve the international community more actively to forge an international consensus to stabilize Pakistan. (Department of State);

VI. In Afghanistan reverse the Taliban's momentum and build Afghan National Security Force capability so that we can begin to transition responsibility for security to the Afghan Government and decrease our troop presence by July 2011. (Department of Defense);

VII. Selectively build the capacity of the Afghan Government which enables Afghans to assume responsibility in the four-step process of clear – hold – build - transfer.(Department of State);

VIII. Involve the international community more actively to forge an international consensus to stabilize Afghanistan. (Department of State).

Classified Annex

Details concerning progress in our objective to "disrupt terrorist networks in Afghanistan and especially Pakistan to degrade any ability they have to plan and launch international terrorist attacks" are included within the classified annex. An eighth objective (Objective II) is classified entirely and fully discussed in the classified annex.

Read more: http://www.fas.org/man/eprint/wh-afpak.pdf