Operational & Mission Variables (PE #1) (Discussion)

Practical Exercise #1:

Conduct an infrastructure assessment utilizing the memory aid SWEATMSO to identify lines of effort for Civil Considerations.

U.S. Forces defeated the Taliban regime. Your division settled in Kabul, Afghanistan. During the ground and air combat operations, U.S. Forces destroyed much of the city's functions. The Afghanistan government has full control of the city with the support of your division.

In this exercise, you are a member of the Division G3. Your commander gave you the guidance to start planning the reconstruction of Kabul. He stressed that any tasks identified needed implemented quickly and placed on an achievable timeline. He further expressed that money was not an issue.

Currently, there are no lower level civic leaders in place. The tribal and religious leaders control the leadership below the national government. The G-2 thinks that the current vacuum in local governance is allowing former regime members to begin establishing an informal government within the city.

Summary of Main Issues in the City:

There is no military or law enforcement within the city. Our intelligence believes that the former military and law enforcement personnel formed insurgent groups and are supporting the highest bidders. They chose to attack soft targets (civilians that support U.S. efforts) in hopes of discrediting the U.S. military's existence within the country and especially in the city. Al-Qaeda armed the insurgency and now is a viable threat to the local populace and any coalition forces. They support these insurgent groups with money, equipment, and foreign fighters.

The local economy is on the verge of collapsing. The black market is now the primary means for the local populace to get supplies. This caused the price of goods in the legitimate market to skyrocket. Water and electricity are sporadic throughout the city and fuel is in short supply. The shortage of fuel caused the local populace to wait in lines for up to 12 hours. This created riots and fights at these locations. NGO agencies are willing to provide help; however, are demanding security before they can provide effective levels of support to the city.

Demographic Make-up:

Tajiks make up 30% of the population. The majority of this group was part of the former regime and no longer has the privileges they once had. The members of this group are better educated and were in positions of power throughout the city. The other two main cultures are targeting this group for political power because of their history as the majority of the former regime.

Pushtuns make-up 60% of the population. Under the former regime, they considered this group as lower class and expected to work menial jobs for little pay. They had no say in government and the ruling class often abused them. Now they want government control and seek revenge against those that treated them so poorly in the past. They are the largest population in the city and occupy the majority of the southern half of the city. The impacts of the war destroyed or damaged the infrastructure in much of that area.

Hazaras make-up 10% of the population and are trying to simply exist. They have little say in how the leadership runs the city. They seek equal rights and a larger role in the administration of the city. They occupy a small area in the northern part of the city. The oil refineries and major pipelines are in their area. They control the lines of communication through their area with mobile checkpoints and threats of violence.

There are no television stations operating within the city and only five radio stations. Tajik operate two radio stations, the Pushtuns operate two and the Hazaras operate one radio station. The Pushtuns are pro-American and the rest support anti-American narratives. There is no landline telephone communication and limited cell phone communication. Results from the conflict destroyed most of the phone lines. Shortages of supplies and trained personnel limit medical care.