Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson discusses past successes and future challenges in Afghanistan
Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, the commanding General of Combined Joint Task Force 76, spoke to U.S. News Senior Editor Julian E. Barnes from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Edited excerpts:
The Taliban: "We still come into regular contact with Taliban insurgents, nearly every day we find some propaganda materials. But it is an insurgency on the decline. There are several signs that the Taliban as a force is in decline. The most important thing was on 9 October, when the national elections sent a clear signal. There is also a clear indication…from Taliban that have reconciled that the election had a negative impact."
Al Qaeda: "There is evidence that there is Al Qaeda influence in Afghanistan. …[But] they are not in Afghanistan in great numbers. Our operations have kept Al Qaeda rocked back on their heels. We have kept pressure on all fronts. Our efforts have tried to separate senior leaders from their fighters. And now it is difficult for leadership to give precise instructions."
Fighting insurgents: "This winter we decided specifically not to launch a large campaign [against Al Qaeda and Taliban forces.] …When battalion-sized operations have been done in the past, the Taliban melts away. [This winter] our operations have been very targeted. We have been running small operations that put constant pressure on them. …A counter-insurgency fight is about separating the guerilla from the population. If you alienate the population they will be much more prone to supporting the guerilla. The guys in this task force understand counter-insurgency operations."
Popularity of American forces: "The vast majority of Afghan people do not consider the coalition an occupation force. We reinforce that notion wherever we can. Coalition soldiers are there shoulder to shoulder with the Afghan central government, delivering supplies working on reconstruction projects. …All of this is about proving to the people that we, the coalition, are here in support of the central government."
Collateral damage: "We tell our soldiers to treat the population with respect [and] always, always…to conduct combat operations with minimal collateral damage. The standard is no collateral damage. …We investigate every incident of collateral damage where a civilian is hurt. …In the last year, on my watch, there have been less than 10 incidents where a local national was killed or wounded."
Reintegrating former Taliban fighters into civic life: "There is a lot of interest and excitement in reconciliation. …We have gotten reports that there are a number of Taliban who have interest in reconciliation. …The numbers that have come in so far have been small. But the next month will be critical. …The number of irreconcilables will be small. There are some figures whose atrocities have had such an impact on the Afghan people that they wont be reconciled. But I think the Afghan central government is in a forgiving mood for now. …I cannot give you precise numbers because it is classified, but I can say [the number of irreconcilables] is less than 100."
Past successes and future challenges: "As you look aback over the last year, I would characterize the major success as a strengthened central government, which culminated in a successful election. …The government now has the ability to start dealing with problems and provide some security. …We see increasing support from the population. The support or popularity of the coalition is at an all time high. I would characterize that as a success. The continuing dismantling…of the militias, that is a huge success the central government has achieved and that must continue. Which brings me to the challenges ahead. The militias have to be successfully disarmed. The Afghan economic recovery, such as it is, has to continue. There is a great expectations among the population that [it] will continue. There are the coming parliamentary elections. And there is the challenge of narcotics and how to handle counter-narcotics operations. …If we ignore the problem, we could end up with a narco-state. But if we get ham-handed or over-enthusiastic [about fighting poppy production]…then we will make a whole lot of enemies we didn't have before. And we have to retain the capability to continue the fight against forces opposed to the Afghan government… There are interests and forces that are supporting the Taliban…and they will look for opportunities to revitalize the Taliban insurgency."
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