LOCAL SECURITY IN AFGHANISTAN

Abstract

This thesis seeks to determine how the United States should facilitate and advise the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) regarding local Afghan security forces. Through in-depth analysis of relevant case studies (Afghan Local Police, Indian Territorial Army, Peruvian Rondas Campesinas, Afghan Arbakai), this thesis gleans critical lessons, positive and negative, to inform the development of an appropriate local security program for modern-day Afghan society. Given Afghanistan’s tribal nature, challenging geography, and the inability of GIRoA to secure its population with national forces, there is a need for effective local security elements that can protect their communities without challenging the survival of the central government. When developing local security elements, GIRoA should incorporate traditional governance, establish an appropriate link between local security elements and the military, and adapt force structures to judiciously selected areas. Additionally, GIRoA should create training and employment regimens for local security elements that preserve their intended use as small, defensive forces and impose minimal disruption to community life.