States of Conflict: An Update on Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan

It has been a tough summer on America’s battlefields and those of its key allies, what with political wrangling in Baghdad, violence in Afghanistan and floods in Pakistan. President Obama received a fair dose of criticism for his Aug. 31 Oval Office speech marking the end of combat operations in Iraq, but under the circumstances it was practically impossible to convey a truly uplifting message.

The president did have good news to report from Iraq — a major reduction in the American military presence, which probably matters more than the somewhat arbitrary end of the combat mission. That said, violence in Iraq increased somewhat this summer, with insurgents aiming especially at the Iraqi police. Even more worrisome has been the continued deadlock among Iraq’s main political parties as they seek to form a new coalition government based on the results of the March 7 parliamentary elections. Iraq is improved, and remains hopeful, but the current moment is still fraught.

Last month, Pakistan suffered through one of the world’s greatest natural calamities in a decade. To date, the number of reported dead (fewer than 2,000) appears to be modest, but the number of displaced (several million) is huge. The floods have set back Pakistan’s economic development as well as its military campaign against insurgents. The United States, however, may have an opportunity to repair its reputation among Pakistanis if it can continue to provide effective emergency assistance.

Afghanistan may be the one place where the situation on the ground is actually slightly better than is commonly assumed. Make no mistake, the Afghan government and its NATO-led foreign partners under the command of Gen. David Petraeus are not yet winning the war. But a more rigorous approach to training the Afghan Army, troop reinforcements recommended by Gen. Stanley McChrystal and approved by President Obama last fall and Afghan determination not to allow the Taliban to rule the land are hopeful signs. For example, according to midsummer estimates of security conditions in Afghanistan, within the 124 key districts where the International Security Assistance Force is focusing its efforts (about one-third of the country), deterioration occurred in seven, but progress occurred in 17.

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Trends in Iraq

Iraqi Civilian Deaths from War: Aug. 2008: 450; Aug. 2009: 300; Aug. 2010: 400

Iraqi Security Force Deaths: Aug. 2008: 80; Aug. 2009: 40; Aug. 2010: 80

U.S. Troop Deaths: Aug. 2008: 23; Aug. 2009: 7; Aug. 2010: 3

U.S. Troops in Iraq (in thousands): Aug. 2008: 148; Aug. 2009: 130; Aug. 2010: 50

Iraqi Security Forces (in thousands): Aug. 2008: 515; Aug. 2009: 650; Aug. 2010: 670

Oil Production (in millions of barrels per day): Aug. 2008: 2.5; Aug. 2009: 2.5; Aug. 2010: 2.3

Electricity Production (average megawatts, official grid; prewar: 4,000): Aug. 2008: 4,000; Aug. 2009: 6,500; Aug. 2010: 6,400

Telephone Subscribers (in millions): Aug. 2008: 14; Aug. 2009: 20; Aug. 2010: 21

Trends in Afghanistan

U.S./Total Foreign Troops (in thousands): Aug. 2008: 31/61; Aug. 2009: 62/97; Aug. 2010: 100/141

Afghan Army/Police Forces (in thousands): Aug. 2008: 79/80; Aug. 2009: 100/85; Aug. 2010: 134/109

U.S. Government Civilians: Aug. 2008: 274; Aug. 2009: 624; Aug. 2010: 1,005

U.S./Total NATO Coalition Deaths: Aug. 2008: 22/46; Aug. 2009: 51/77; Aug. 2010: 55/79

Afghan Civilian Deaths from War: Aug. 2008: 65; Aug. 2009: 230; Aug. 2010: 150

Afghanistan’s Global Rank for Corruption (out of 180 nations; prior year data; source: Transparency International); Aug. 2008: 172; Aug. 2009: 176; Aug. 2010: 179

G.D.P. Growth (annual percentage): Aug. 2008: 9; Aug. 2009: 13; Aug. 2010: 16

Monthly Pay for New Afghan Soldier (in dollars; includes combat pay): Aug. 2008: 100; Aug. 2009: 110; Aug. 2010: 250

Monthly Pay for Afghan Prosecutor (in dollars): Aug. 2008: 80; Aug. 2009: 85; Aug. 2010: 86

Trends in Pakistan

Attacks by Insurgents: Aug. 2008: 312; Aug. 2009: 226; Aug. 2010: 194

Pakistani Forces Involved in Counterinsurgency (2010 figures reduced because of flood relief operations): Aug. 2008: 120,000; Aug. 2009: 150,000; Aug. 2010: 100,000

Militant Deaths from U.S. Drone attacks (monthly average); Aug. 2008: 10; Aug. 2009: 30; Aug. 2010: 45

U.S. Aid to Pakistan (in billions of dollars per year); Aug. 2008: 2.0; Aug. 2009: 3.0; Aug. 2010: 3.6

Popularity of President Asif Ali Zardari (percentage of Pakistanis expressing approval; spring data): Aug. 2008: 64; Aug. 2009: 32; Aug. 2010: 20