Afghanistan : Key Issues & Security Force Considerations

The U.S. strategic goal for Afghanistan is to defeat and prevent the return of al Qaeda and its affiliates. Since fiscal year 2002, U.S. costs reported for U.S. military, U.S. diplomatic, and reconstruction and relief operations in Afghanistan have been over $500 billion. Given U.S. strategic goals and the level of U.S. resources expected to support Afghanistan in the future, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has identified a number of key issues for the 113th Congress to consider in developing oversight agendas and determining the way forward in Afghanistan. This book suggests specific areas of oversight on the topics of: Afghanistan''s security environment; transition of lead security to Afghan security forces; future cost and sustainability of Afghan security forces; and Department of Defense planning for the draw-down of equipment in Afghanistan.