WASHINGTON — Six years and $16.5 billion later, the U.S. still lacks a solid plan to create a self-sustaining security force in Afghanistan, an independent audit has found.
The Government Accountability Office found in a report released Wednesday that “some progress” has been made in training and equipping Afghanistan’s army and police forces, but the Defense and State departments “lacked detailed plans and cost estimates for completing and sustaining” the forces.
The GAO said the U.S. government must more clearly define its objectives, set milestones and lay out a concrete spending plan for future requirements.
“Without capable and self-sustaining Afghan army and police forces, terrorists could again create a safe haven in Afghanistan and jeopardize efforts by the United States and the international community to develop the country,” the GAO wrote.
The Pentagon defended progress made in the effort and said it planned to release its own assessment soon.
