Advancing U.S. Efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan

• U.S. foreign policy goals to secure, stabilize, and rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan and mitigate the terrorist threat in Pakistan will challenge the new administration and next Congress. From fiscal year 2001 through July 2008, Congress provided more than $808 billion to the Department of Defense (DOD) for the Global War on Terrorism, including for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Moreover, more than $80 billion has been provided to DOD, State Department, the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other agencies to help address security, stabilization and reconstruction, and capacity-building efforts. Nevertheless, the achievement of U.S. objectives to stabilize regional conflicts remains on the horizon, in part because of shortcomings in planning, coordination, and ongoing assessments of progress in achieving U.S. goals across multiple agencies and a multitude of programs and activities. Since 2003, GAO has issued more than 170 reports on these and related topics. Specifically, in:
  
  
  • Iraq The United States has spent 5 years and $49 billion to stabilize and rebuild Iraq. Much has changed since the United States articulated a strategy in January 2007 to stem the high levels of violence and foster national reconciliation. In February 2009, President Obama outlined a new strategy for Iraq, which entails a withdrawal of about two-thirds of all U.S. troops by August 2010.
  • Afghanistan Continuing U.S. efforts to secure, stabilize, and rebuild Afghanistan have cost over $32 billion since 2001. Greater management attention and oversight are needed to ensure nascent infrastructure and institutions are sustained. Key challenges that will need to be addressed include: mitigating escalating violence; addressing high levels of opium production, which help fund the Taliban and other anti-government groups; and developing a coordinated and detailed U.S. plan that includes intermediate milestones and clearly defined roles of the Departments of Defense and State for building, training, and equipping fully capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Forces.
  • Pakistan - The United States, through the Departments of Defense, State, USAID, and others, has provided over $12 billions in military, economic, and developmental assistance to the Pakistani government to enhance its ability to address the terrorist threat in tribal areas as well as growing instability issues. These agencies need to work together and in conjunction with the Pakistani government to develop a comprehensive plan to address the terrorist threat and to enhance oversight and accountability over Pakistani reimbursement claims for coalition support funds.

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

No matter what policy choices are made, new approaches are needed that better integrate military, diplomatic, and development assistance into strategic, interagency plans. Incoming policy-makers will need to:

• Further define the U.S. strategy for helping Iraq achieve key security, legislative, and economic goals.

  Highlights of GAO-08-837 (PDF)

• Establish clear accountability for managing logistical operations to support the reposturing of U.S. forces, once decisions are made, including closing sites in Iraq, managing contractors, and caring for service members as they return home.

  Highlights of GAO-08-930 (PDF)

• Develop a coordinated and detailed plan for building and sustaining Afghan army and police forces, nascent government institutions and infrastructure.

  Highlights of GAO-08-661 (PDF)

• Reach consensus on a comprehensive plan and regional partnerships to combat the terrorist threat and close the safe havens along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

  Highlights of GAO-08-622 (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

Afghanistan: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight

GAO-09-473SP, April 21, 2009

Summary (HTML)   Full Report (PDF, 37 pages)   Accessible Text

Iraq: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight

GAO-09-294SP, March 24, 2009

Summary (HTML)   Full Report (PDF, 56 pages)   Accessible Text

Securing, Stabilizing, and Developing Pakistan's Border Area with Afghanistan: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight

GAO-09-263SP, February 23, 2009

Summary (HTML)   Full Report (PDF, 61 pages)   Accessible Text

Iraq and Afghanistan: Availability of Forces, Equipment, and Infrastructure Should Be Considered in Developing U.S. Strategy and Plans

GAO-09-380T, February 12, 2009

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 26 pages)   Accessible Text

Operation Iraqi Freedom: Actions Needed to Enhance DOD Planning for Reposturing of U.S. Forces from Iraq

GAO-08-930, September 10, 2008

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 85 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

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

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)

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)

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)

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