GAO Report on Programs to Reform Afghan Police & Security

On March 9, 2009, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report entitled, Afghanistan Security: U.S. Programs to Further Reform Ministry of Interior and National Police Challenged by Lack of Military Personnel and Afghan Cooperation (download).

Among the problems cited are the degree of corruption and illiteracy in Afghanistan, which is measured on one index as being the fifth most corrupt in the world (see p. 2). The report recommends cooperation between the Secretaries of State and Defense to send police training teams to Afghanistan. The report also notes the problems with regional efforts--such as the lack of military personnel and lack of data about whether background checks are being done.