Creating and recreating security : exploring the hybrid security sector reform in Afghanistan, and its creation of local forces.

Abstract

In 2018, the Afghan government created the Afghan National Army – Territorial Force (ANA-TF) to deal with the growing Taliban insurgency, and provide physical security in rural areas. The ANA-TF becomes the latest experiment within locally raised forces in Afghanistan. The Afghan government and its international allies, mainly the United State, have been creating local forces since the international community’s intervention in 2001. However, most of these locally raised forces have failed in providing security for the rural communities. Instead, they have turned into predatory forces, serving the interests of local commanders rather than the villagers they were meant to protect. This thesis aims to explore why these forces were created, what lessons can be drawn from their performances, and how they can be applied to assist the newly created ANA-TF. By analysing and discussing the performances of the most prominent and longest running local force, Afghan Local Police, I provide the ANA-TF with recommendations for how it can avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.