Counterinsurgency and State Building: An Assessment of the Role of the Afghan National Police

Abstract

Afghanistan's police reform has left much of the population without basic internal security. The consequences for government support, levels of illegitimate economic activity and support to insurgents are grave. Counter-insurgency theory teaches us the need for domestic day-to-day security to win the support of the people and undermine insurgents. Taking this into account, and considering the current declining security situation in Afghanistan, it is vital that a reinvigorated approach to police reform and training is adopted. This must provide people with the protection and security in their everyday lives, not simply establish force to be deployed in military counterinsurgency.; Afghanistan's police reform has left much of the population without basic internal security. The consequences for government support, levels of illegitimate economic activity and support to insurgents are grave. Counter-insurgency theory teaches us the need for domestic day-to-day security to win the support of the people and undermine insurgents. Taking this into account, and considering the current declining security situation in Afghanistan, it is vital that a reinvigorated approach to police reform and training is adopted. This must provide people with the protection and security in their everyday lives, not simply establish force to be deployed in military counterinsurgency. Adapted from the source document.; Afghanistan's police reform has left much of the population without basic internal security. The consequences for government support, levels of illegitimate economic activity and support to insurgents are grave. Counter-insurgency theory teaches us the need for domestic day-to-day security to win the support of the people and undermine insurgents. Taking this into account, and considering the current declining security situation in Afghanistan, it is vital that a reinvigorated approach to police reform and training is adopted. This must provide people with the protection and security in their everyday lives, not simply establish force to be deployed in military counterinsurgency.; Afghanistan's police reform has left much of the population without basic internal security. The consequences for government support, levels of illegitimate economic activity and support to insurgents are grave. Counter-insurgency theory teaches us the need for domestic day-to-day security to win the support of the people and undermine insurgents. Taking this into account, and considering the current declining security situation in Afghanistan, it is vital that a reinvigorated approach to police reform and training is adopted. This must provide people with the protection and security in their everyday lives, not simply establish force to be deployed in military counterinsurgency. Adapted from the source document.