Events

In Afghanistan and Iraq, Congress provides oversight and resources for U.S. programs to reform local military and police forces. This process is critical to U.S. success, but is little understood. USIP's Security Sector Reform Working Group examined the role of Congress in ensuring that security assistance is effective, serves U.S interests and creates democratic security forces.

In 2007, the Los Angeles Times reported that Iraq's interior ministry (MOI) had become a "federation of oligarchs" where various floors were controlled by rival militias and power struggles were resolved by assassinations in the parking lot. Today, the MOI is responsible for nearly 500,000 members of Iraq's security forces, but still struggles despite major US and UK efforts.

Despite the $10 billion spent on training, the Afghan police are "the weak link in the security chain," according to Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke. Police expansion is a major component of President Obama's strategy for Afghanistan, but there is widespread concern about this program.