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Go Home A 'Civilian Surge'? Not so Fast

THE PLANK DECEMBER 8, 2009

A 'Civilian Surge'? Not so Fast

BY MICHAEL CROWLEY

Laura Rozen reports on a troubling report from retired general Barry McCaffrey and commissioned by Centcom commander David Petraeus:

"The international civilian agency surge will essentially not happen ---although State Department officers, US AID, CIA, DEA, and the FBI will make vital contributions. Afghanistan over the next 2-3 years will be simply too dangerous for most civil agencies."

For more on the challenge of mounting an effective civilian effort in a war zone, see this recent TNR piece by Steve Metz.

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See a related WaPo story today on USAID's difficulties accomplishing its mission in Afghanistan when it sends its folks there for 6-month tours, and on the increasing resort to contracting to do civilian activities there. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/07/AR2009120703844.html

- TARFON

December 8, 2009 at 1:41pm

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