{"id":16384,"date":"2021-03-16T17:52:57","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T17:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/03\/16\/afghan-security-forces-still-need-us-help-to-stand-on-their-own-watchdog-warns\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:37:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:37:44","slug":"afghan-security-forces-still-need-us-help-to-stand-on-their-own-watchdog-warns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2021\/03\/16\/afghan-security-forces-still-need-us-help-to-stand-on-their-own-watchdog-warns\/","title":{"rendered":"Afghan security forces still need US help to stand on their own, watchdog warns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With less than two months before a deadline to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan<\/a>, local security forces there are unprepared to stand up on their own despite years of training and investment from foreign allies, a government watchdog warned lawmakers on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAchieving our counterterrorism reconstruction objectives depends on a strong, stable, democratic and self-reliant Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Afghanistan is far from that reality,\u201d said John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfghan security forces are nowhere near achieving self-sufficiency, as they cannot maintain their equipment, manage their supply chains or train new soldiers, pilots and policemen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disturbing assessment comes after more than 19 years of U.S. military presence in Afghanistan to root out terrorism and stabilize local governments there. It also comes as the White House struggles with upcoming decisions on whether to fully end the military mission there or prolong the lengthy conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 2,500 U.S. troops have died, and nearlly 21,000 wounded<\/a> in support of operations in Afghanistan, according to Pentagon figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\t