Additional Troops for Afghanistan? Considerations for Congress (CRS Report for Congress)
Premium Purchase PDF for $24.95 (10 pages)
add to cart or
subscribe for unlimited access
Pro Premium subscribers have free access to our full library of CRS reports.
Subscribe today, or
request a demo to learn more.
| Release Date |
May 19, 2017 |
| Report Number |
R44853 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Kathleen J. McInnis; Andrew Feickert |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Trump Administration is reportedly considering proposals to deploy additional ground forces
to Afghanistan and somewhat broaden their mission. These forces would likely be part of the
Resolute Support Mission (RSM), the ongoing NATO mission to train and support Afghan
security forces. In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on February 9, 2017,
General John Nicholson, Commander U.S. Forces–Afghanistan, noted based on a mission review
that he had adequate forces for the U.S. counterterrorism mission but there was “a shortfall of a
few thousand troops” for RSM if a “stalemate” with the Taliban-led insurgency is to be broken.
Especially in light of recent Afghan National Defense and Security Force (ANDSF)
shortcomings, notably the Taliban gains in Helmand Province and the April 21, 2017, attack on an
Afghan Army installation near Mazar-i-Sharif, some observers maintain additional forces are
necessary to shore up the ANDSF.
There is no consensus as to the best way to determine the suitability, size, and mission profile of
the ground elements of any military campaign. This short report is designed to assist Congress as
it evaluates various proposals to introduce more ground forces for RSM.
