14 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL T his edition, we spotlight the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a nonpartisan organization that provides in-depth analysis of military affairs and national security through its opensource research, conflict maps, and on-the-ground assessments, helping policymakers and the public understand complex global conflicts. ISW offers timely and independent analysis on key security issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the evolving threat of ISIS, and Iran’s nuclear policy. The center works to identify strategic risks and opportunities for the United States and its allies. ISW publishes a range of reports, including its Russian Offensive Campaign Assessments and Iran Updates, which track battlefield developments and geopolitical shifts. Recent reports include analyses of Russian advances in Donetsk Oblast and Iranian responses to international censure. ISW provides all research free to the public. Visit www.understandingwar.org to explore ISW’s comprehensive reports and learn more about its mission. Site of the Month: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) The appearance of a particular site or podcast is for information only and does not constitute an endorsement. Russia and China in Central Asia: Compete, Cooperate, or De-conflict? The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) hosted a panel discussion on Nov. 12 exploring the complex relationship between Russia and China in Central Asia, “Russia and China in Central Asia: Compete, Cooperate, or De-conflict?” Moderated by New Statesman Senior Editor Katie Stallard, the event marked the launch of a CNAS report on the subject. Panelists included Ambassador Donald Lu, assistant secretary of State for South and Central Asia; Andrea KendallTaylor, director of the Transatlantic Security Program at CNAS; and Lisa Curtis, director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at CNAS. The panelists painted a nuanced picture of the region, noting limited cooperation between Russia and China despite overlapping interests. They emphasized the U.S. role in providing economic alternatives and fostering regional stability. Programs like the U.S.-led C5+1 initiative and greater educational exchange were identified as opportunities for deeper American engagement. The discussion concluded with a call for sustained U.S. attention to Central Asia as a geopolitical crossroads, warning that neglecting the region could leave it further exposed to the competing influences of Moscow and Beijing. Listen to the full discussion at http://bit. ly/RC-CNAS. Afghan Lessons Learned in SIGAR Report The head of SIGAR, John Sopko, called for the organization to close its doors by Sept. 30, 2025. Shortly after, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has released its 13th, and what could be its last, lessons learned report, “Staffing the Mission: Lessons from the U.S. Reconstruction of Afghanistan,” shedding light on critical personnel shortcomings that plagued U.S. reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan over two decades. The report highlights chronic issues in recruiting, training, retaining, and coordinating personnel from the Department of State, USAID, and the Department of Defense (DOD), ultimately undermining the $145 billion U.S. investment in rebuilding Afghanistan’s institutions, security forces, and economy. Frequent staff turnover drained institutional knowledge, while insufficient handovers perpetuated mistakes across civilian and military agencies. The report emphasizes that politically driven timelines hindered long-term planning, preventing the establishment of robust state-building institutions to address Afghanistan’s complex needs effectively. SIGAR also identifies failures in training personnel for the specific challenges of Afghanistan, including inadequate preparation for advising Afghan security forces and understanding local dynamics. SIGAR’s recommendations point to the necessity of systemic reforms to prepare U.S. agencies for future reconstruction efforts. Proposed measures include establishing a Diplomatic Reserve Corps, improving pre-deployment training, enhancing interagency coordination, and instituting mandatory exit memos for personnel. The report also stresses the importance of retaining capabilities like the Security Force Assistance Brigades to ensure readiness for future contingency operations. n This edition of Talking Points was compiled by Mark Parkhomenko.
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