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

Why Area is Important

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

U.S. foreign policy goals to secure, stabilize, and rebuild Afghanistan and Iraq, and mitigate the terrorist threat in Pakistan will continue to challenge the administration and Congress. From fiscal year 2001 through July 2010, Congress provided more than $1 trillion to achieve these goals, 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. In addition, the United States has strengthened sanctions against Iran to deter it from developing its nuclear program. Nevertheless, the achievement of U.S. objectives to stabilize regional conflicts remains unrealized, 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 200 reports on these topics. Specifically, in:

Afghanistan

Since 2001, the United States has been engaged in efforts to secure, stabilize, and rebuild Afghanistan. In 2009, the U.S. reaffirmed the U.S. strategic goal to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and deny their return to the country. Key U.S. efforts to assist Afghanistan include, providing U.S. military forces and assistance to combat insurgents and train and equip Afghan security forces; providing civilian experts to help build the capacity of Afghan government institutions; and focusing development and economic assistance on road and irrigation infrastructure projects and agricultural programs to reduce insurgent funding from the illicit narcotics trade. For more information, see Afghanistan.

Iraq

Since 2003, the United States has provided about $58 billion for reconstruction and stabilization efforts in Iraq, of which about $24 billion has funded programs to train and equip Iraq’s security forces. The U.S. military in Iraq has provided vital security and other support for U.S. civilian operations, supported reconstruction efforts, and trained and equipped Iraq’s military and police forces. As of December 2010, the U.S. military presence in Iraq had declined to 47,300 troops. For more information, see Iraq.

Pakistan

Since 2002, the United States has provided over $18 billion in security, law enforcement, economic, and development assistance to the Pakistani government to enhance its ability to combat terrorism, counter insurgents, address violent extremism, and provide humanitarian relief. U.S. agencies need to take steps to ensure accountability of U.S. funds provided to Pakistan. For more information, see Pakistan.

Iran

Since 1987, the United States has imposed multiple sanctions against Iran to deter it from developing its nuclear program, supporting terrorism, and abusing human rights. Recent congressional action has expanded sanctions against Iran and imposed new reporting requirements on the Administration. These actions underscore the importance of comprehensive assessments of the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions against Iran. For more information, see Iran.

^ 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. Policy-makers will need to:

• Develop contingency plans for the transition to a civilian-led presence in Iraq and ensure that U.S. agencies maintain safeguards over funding provided for Afghan and Pakistani entities to administer.
  Highlights of GAO-11-419T (PDF)
• Assist Iraq in developing an effective integrated international strategy for reintegrating displaced Iraqis.
  Highlights of GAO-11-124 (PDF)
• Ensure that Iraq continues to spend its own resources on security costs; Congress should consider Iraq’s available financial resources.
  Highlights of GAO-10-304 (PDF)
• Improve accountability for U.S.-provided defense equipment and U.S. civilian assistance to Pakistan.
  Full Report of GAO-11-156R (PDF), Full Report of GAO-11-310R (PDF), and Highlights of GAO-10-289 (PDF)
• Provide additional trainers and mentors to support the development of expanded Afghan National Security Forces and improve U.S. planning, monitoring, and evaluation of development assistance programs in Afghanistan.
  Highlights of GAO-11-66 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-09-280 (PDF), and Full Report of GAO-10-932T (PDF)
• Develop the capability to provide complete and timely information on all licenses for the export of goods to Iran.
  Highlights of GAO-10-375 (PDF)
• Assess data on Iran sanctions and complete an overall baseline assessment of sanctions.
  Highlights of GAO-08-58 (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

Stabilizing and Rebuilding Iraq

Securing, Stabilizing, and Developing Pakistan's Border Area with Afghanistan

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Iraq

Iraq and Afghanistan

Combating Terrorism

Combating Terrorism

Employment

Afghanistan Security

Afghanistan Security

Afghanistan Reconstruction

Afghanistan

Afghanistan Drug Control

Afghanistan and Pakistan

More Reports