Memorandum: Changing Strategy in Afghanistan

To: President Barack Obama

CC: Vice President Joe Biden

From: Rachel Sousa, Secretary of State

Date: November 30, 2009

Subject: Changing Strategy in Afghanistan

Context:

            Since September 1, 2001, The United States has been battling Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan for such a traumatic attack on our own soil. Since then, we have roughly 36,000 troops in Afghanistan. In 2008 we witnessed the most violent year in extremist attacks since 2001. As of October 2009, 58 American soldiers have been killed in battle; making it the most violent month since the start of this war.

Task:

            Due to the lack of progression in Afghanistan, the U.S. should not continue with the same method. It is evident that increasing military presence has not improved our chances to end the reign of Al-Qaeda. Sending troops into Afghanistan have increased over the past eight years and yet the United States has not improved its situation. What is essential is to change the strategy to keep the Taliban from gaining more momentum. Currently there is no sign of the Taliban reversing the Afghanistan government but the U.S. needs to take action now so the chances of this are even lower. If an increase of troops in Afghanistan occurs, it could increase dependency of Afghanistan on the United States. The U.S. does not want to occupy Afghanistan.

Solution:

            American forces are needed in Afghanistan but not in the same manner as previously. The Taliban is unlikely to overthrow the Afghanistan government soon and that may be due to the presence of American military force, however, increasing military presence is increasing the death toll of American soldiers. It is crucial that America shifts its focus to the borders of Afghanistan since safe-havens are used Al-Qaeda in these regions. The United States should work with the soldiers already in Afghanistan as they are the most familiar with the country and America should avoid sending more troops into a blood-bath. In addition, Pakistan is outside of Afghan borders and is likely to be infiltrated by Al-Qaeda and that would be extremely detrimental. The suggestion is to relocate troops to the borders but keeping a military presence within the Afghanistan government so their government remains secure and safe from corruption.

Evidence:

            There is evidence of Al-Qaeda safe-houses along the Afghan border. By distributing troops along the outskirts of Afghanistan, it is more likely that the U.S. can permeate the terrorist group. Having a presence along the border not only would protect Pakistan from possible Al-Qaeda influences, but also could strengthen a relationship with that country to encourage communication over terrorist activity.

Failed Solutions:

            During the Vietnam War, the United States witnessed failed attempts at implementing liberty and only causing  civilian hatred in South Vietnam. What needs to be avoided is the hatred by the Afghan people just as the country saw in Vietnam. If military presence is increased by hundreds of thousands, the country would be feeding into aura of violence. Obviously, the U.S. is beyond avoiding violence but increasing it would be a huge mistake. Violence could encourage more Afghan civilians to sympathize with Al-Qaeda. American troops look like the enemy because they are invading their land.

Implementation:

            American troops should be averted from central bases to the borders and in governmental buildings. The chance of locating Al-Qaeda safe-havens are more likely if soldiers are on the borders. It is also important that America keeps a temporary watchful eye on Afghan activity in governmental facilities so the idea of corruption is less likely.

Summary:

            After nearly eight years of violent battles in Afghanistan and continuous implementation of American soldiers, little to no progress has been made in destroying Al-Qaeda. It is necessary now to change the focus from increasing military violence, to changing of strategy. The United States should work with current American soldiers in Afghanistan and avert their duties to new tasks. Increasing military occupancy in Afghanistan would only increase the death toll. By changing the strategy, the U.S. may avoid repeating history in Vietnam, may improve a relationship with Pakistan, and ending American presence in Afghanistan once and for all.

Works Cited:

“Obama Afghanistan Strategy: More Troops in Quickly, Drawdown in 2011.” CNN, Cable News 

     Network, 1 Dec. 2009, www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/01/obama.afghanistan/index.html.

CBS/AP. “The War in Afghanistan: A Timeline.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 1 Dec. 2009, 

     www.cbsnews.com/news/the-war-in-afghanistan-a-timeline/.

VOA. “Afghan War Draws Comparisons to Vietnam War.” VOA, VOA, 2 Nov. 2009, 

     www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2009-09-09-voa53-68709837/409488.html.