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Government auditor challenges White House account of Afghanistan security

By Richard H.P. Sia

A special inspector general discloses that as US forces head for the exit, the Pentagon has not met its goal for enlarging the Afghan force

Excerpts from this story referencing "Afghan National Army":

"… t quarterly report. Instead, as of Feb. 18, the number of personnel in the Afghan National Army, National Police and Air Force totaled 332,753, or about 20,000 fewer, acc …"

"… with several months of higher-than-average levels of attrition in the ANA [Afghan National Army], resulted in a net decrease." He said ANSF end-strength rose to 336,365 …"

"… neral reported that the extensive U.S.-led coalition effort to develop the Afghan National Army’s command-and-control capabilities, which are crucial in executing count …"

"… ations on its own, “had produced a marginally sufficient” system. The Afghan National Army “did not yet have the ability to plan and conduct sustained operations w …"