Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 07/2010

The Afghan War: A Campaign Overview

Anthony H. Cordesman

June 2010

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Abstract

Six Centers of Gravity •Defeating the insurgency not only in tactical terms, but by eliminating its control and influence over the population. •Creating an effective and well-resourced NATO/ISAF and US response to defeating the insurgency and securing the population. •Building up a much larger and more effective (and enduring base for transition) mix of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). •Giving the Afghan government the necessary capacity and legitimacy at the national, regional/provincial, district, and local levels. •Creating an effective, integrated, and truly operational civil-military effort. NATO/ISAF, UN, member country, and NGO and international community efforts. •Dealing with the sixth center of gravity outside Afghanistan and NATO/ISAF’s formal mission. with the actions of Pakistan, Iran, and other states will be critical to success in Afghanistan.