Share Intel & Build a Bond
In the world of security, robust Intelligence can only occur if information is shared. Seems easy enough, until one thinks back to 9/11 when our own intelligence services, considered the best in the world, did not share pertinent information about an imminent attack.
Since the Afghan Presidential elections in August of 2009, suicide attacks of increasing complexity have been occurring at an alarming rate in Kabul. The latest on February 26th, 2010 killed 17 people.
The past two weeks warnings have been released of an impending attack in Kabul. Chatter is emerging of four suicide bombers moving through Logar Province on their way to capital. The US Embassy considers this latest warning serious and has issued warnings to citizens in Kabul to be cautious and alert.
Sharing information and intelligence requires trust between participants—it is the same for the Afghan Security Forces. Yes, just like the American’s, in Afghanistan the Ministry of Defense doesn’t play well with the Ministry of Interior which means at the local level, intelligence is not being shared.
In Logar Province, Lt. Col. Paul Fellinger, Squad Commander for the 1/91 Cavalry Airborne understands the problem and is focused on building bonds. He has started hosting a regularly scheduled Security Shura to gather officials together from the different security agencies, the ANA, ANP, NDS and the Counter-Terrorist Police, to discuss security and share intelligence.
Fellinger’s only goal is to see the Afghans working together at any level.
Fellinger started the Security Shura one month ago with the intent of building self-empowerment for the Afghan Security Forces. Quickly, Fellinger handed over the management of the meetings fully to the Afghans. They struggle in organizational skills and the agenda does drift, but the Afghans are beginning to manage the meetings less assistance from Fellinger’s team.
Logar Province, Lt. Col Fellinger’s AO (Area of Operation) is located south of Kabul historically used as a pipeline for moving suicide bombers and explosive material from Pakistan into Kabul. Because of this, at the Security Shura, the ANP commander discussed the urgent need to enforce vehicle registration laws. The laws give the ANP muscle to stop and search vehicles, and inspect documents to inhibit freedom of movement by insurgents.
The Security Shuras not only give a platform for sharing information between the Afghan agencies; the information gleaned can be beneficial for the Americans. They gain understanding of Afghan culture and new ideas on how to fight the insurgents.
Throughout the eastern provinces from Kunar to Logar Province, Security Shuras are being used by U.S. commanders. Getting the Afghans working together is the main goal; the intelligence gathered is the same but with slight differences in numbers or locations. Intel can be the number of suicide bombers allegedly moving through the area; to numbers of Taliban seen in certain villages; locations of weapons caches; IED warnings; or perhaps a warning of a police chief who is suspected of working for the Taliban.
When the Afghans see the results gained by working together, they gain confidence, build a stronger bond and are empowered to fight the insurgents together.
Since the Afghan Presidential elections in August of 2009, suicide attacks of increasing complexity have been occurring at an alarming rate in Kabul. The latest on February 26th, 2010 killed 17 people.
The past two weeks warnings have been released of an impending attack in Kabul. Chatter is emerging of four suicide bombers moving through Logar Province on their way to capital. The US Embassy considers this latest warning serious and has issued warnings to citizens in Kabul to be cautious and alert.
Sharing information and intelligence requires trust between participants—it is the same for the Afghan Security Forces. Yes, just like the American’s, in Afghanistan the Ministry of Defense doesn’t play well with the Ministry of Interior which means at the local level, intelligence is not being shared.
In Logar Province, Lt. Col. Paul Fellinger, Squad Commander for the 1/91 Cavalry Airborne understands the problem and is focused on building bonds. He has started hosting a regularly scheduled Security Shura to gather officials together from the different security agencies, the ANA, ANP, NDS and the Counter-Terrorist Police, to discuss security and share intelligence.
Fellinger’s only goal is to see the Afghans working together at any level.
Fellinger started the Security Shura one month ago with the intent of building self-empowerment for the Afghan Security Forces. Quickly, Fellinger handed over the management of the meetings fully to the Afghans. They struggle in organizational skills and the agenda does drift, but the Afghans are beginning to manage the meetings less assistance from Fellinger’s team.
Logar Province, Lt. Col Fellinger’s AO (Area of Operation) is located south of Kabul historically used as a pipeline for moving suicide bombers and explosive material from Pakistan into Kabul. Because of this, at the Security Shura, the ANP commander discussed the urgent need to enforce vehicle registration laws. The laws give the ANP muscle to stop and search vehicles, and inspect documents to inhibit freedom of movement by insurgents.
The Security Shuras not only give a platform for sharing information between the Afghan agencies; the information gleaned can be beneficial for the Americans. They gain understanding of Afghan culture and new ideas on how to fight the insurgents.
Throughout the eastern provinces from Kunar to Logar Province, Security Shuras are being used by U.S. commanders. Getting the Afghans working together is the main goal; the intelligence gathered is the same but with slight differences in numbers or locations. Intel can be the number of suicide bombers allegedly moving through the area; to numbers of Taliban seen in certain villages; locations of weapons caches; IED warnings; or perhaps a warning of a police chief who is suspected of working for the Taliban.
When the Afghans see the results gained by working together, they gain confidence, build a stronger bond and are empowered to fight the insurgents together.
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