Stabilizing Regional Conflicts
Since 2003, GAO has issued more than 170 reports on Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and other regional conflicts, covering topics that range from the readiness of U.S. forces, to planning for counterterrorism programs, to progress in building roads and oil pipelines.
- Hundreds of billions of dollars have been provided to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan as well as to State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help address security, stabilization and reconstruction, and capacity-building efforts in these countries.
- In addition, the United States is partnering with African nations to lay the groundwork for increased political stability and economic growth through a variety of interagency efforts.
- The United States is also working to strengthen international peacekeeping capacities.
Our transition work will highlight the major implementation issues that need to be addressed to ensure the development of comprehensive integrated strategies, accountability over resources provided, and ongoing assessments of progress, regardless of what policies are pursued in the future.
^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done
Several key steps need to be taken, including the following:
- The National Security Advisor and the Director of the National Counterterrorism
Center, in consultation with State, DOD, and others should develop a
comprehensive plan to combat the terrorist threat and close the safe haven
in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
Highlights of GAO-08-622 (PDF) - State and DOD should also develop plans for completing and sustaining
the Afghan army and police forces, to include clearly defined objectives,
milestones, funding requirements, and a strategy for sustaining results.
Highlights of GAO-08-661 (PDF) - To enhance U.S. agencies’ ability to collaborate in strengthening
country and regional counterterrorism capabilities and inhibiting the spread
of extremist ideology in northwest Africa, State should work with USAID and
in conjunction with DOD, the Departments of the Treasury and Justice,
and other partner agencies, to develop a comprehensive strategy—with
clear goals, objectives, milestones, and resource needs—for the Trans-Sahara
Counterterrorism Partnership.
Highlights of GAO-08-860 (PDF) - State should work with DOD, and other relevant U.S. agencies to develop an updated strategy for Iraq that defines U.S. goals and objectives after July 2008 and addresses the long-term goal of achieving an Iraq that can govern, defend, and sustain itself. Furthermore, in preparing future reports to Congress, State should provide information to the President that clearly specifies the status in drafting, enacting, and implementing Iraqi legislation, while DOD and other appropriate agencies should provide additional information on the operational readiness of Iraqi security forces supporting the Baghdad security plan.
Highlights of GAO-08-837 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-07-1195 (PDF) - State should take several steps to enhance the Global Peace Operation Initiative’s
effectiveness, better identify program outcomes, and ensure proper screening
for human rights violations.
Highlights of GAO-08-754 (PDF) - USAID should take several actions to improve the evaluation as well as
efficiency and effectiveness of USAID-funded road reconstruction projects
in Afghanistan; require that future road reconstruction projects include
detailed funding plans; and ensure urgent short-term as well as long-term
road maintenance needs are fully addressed.
Highlights of GAO-08-689 (PDF)
^ Back to topKey Reports
- Stabilizing and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Revenues, Expenditures, and Surplus
- GAO-08-1031, August 5, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 47 pages) Accessible Text
- Combating Terrorism: Actions Needed to Enhance Implementation of Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership
- GAO-08-860, July 31, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 51 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Rebuilding Iraq: DOD and State Department Have Improved Oversight and Coordination of Private Security Contractors in Iraq, but Further Actions Are Needed to Sustain Improvements
- GAO-08-966, July 31, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 66 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Progress Report: Some Gains Made, Updated Strategy Needed
- GAO-08-1021T, July 23, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 21 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Afghanistan Reconstruction: Progress Made in Constructing Roads, but Assessments for Determining Impact and a Sustainable Maintenance Program Are Needed
- GAO-08-689, July 8, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 63 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Peacekeeping: Thousands Trained but United States Is Unlikely to Complete All Activities by 2010 and Some Improvements Are Needed
- GAO-08-754, June 26, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 77 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Combating Terrorism: Increased Oversight and Accountability Needed over Pakistan Reimbursement Claims for Coalition Support Funds
- GAO-08-806, June 24, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 46 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Progress Report: Some Gains Made, Updated Strategy Needed
- GAO-08-837, June 23, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 94 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Afghanistan Security: Further Congressional Action May Be Needed to Ensure Completion of a Detailed Plan to Develop and Sustain Capable Afghan National Security Forces
- GAO-08-661, June 18, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 77 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Combating Terrorism: The United States Lacks Comprehensive Plan to Destroy the Terrorist Threat and Close the Safe Haven in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas
- GAO-08-622, April 17, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 37 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Combating Terrorism: State Department's Antiterrorism Program Needs Improved Guidance and More Systematic Assessments of Outcomes
- GAO-08-336, February 29, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 40 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo: Systematic Assessment Is Needed to Determine Agencies' Progress toward U.S. Policy Objectives
- GAO-08-188, December 14, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 45 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks
- GAO-07-1195, September 4, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 100 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Securing, Stabilizing, and Reconstructing Afghanistan: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight
- GAO-07-801SP, May 24, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 37 pages) Accessible Text
