Country Report on Terrorism 2012 - Chapter 2 - Afghanistan

Afghanistan. Several terrorist networks active in Afghanistan, such as al-Qa’ida (AQ), the Haqqani Network, and others, operate largely out of Pakistan. AQ has some freedom of movement in Kunar and Nuristan provinces largely due to a lack of Afghan National Security Forces capacity to control certain border territories in north and east Afghanistan. During 2012, the Afghan government continued to counter the Afghan Taliban and Taliban-affiliated insurgent networks with AQ connections. Specifically, the increased capability of the Afghan Local Police units has increased the ability of the Government of Afghanistan to control territory.

The potential for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) trafficking and proliferation was a concern in Afghanistan because of its porous borders and the presence of terrorist groups. The U.S. government worked with the Government of Afghanistan to implement comprehensive strategic trade controls. The U.S. Border Management Task Force also worked closely with Afghan officials to prevent the proliferation of and trafficking of WMD in and through Afghanistan. The Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance (EXBS) program assisted the Government of Afghanistan in drafting a Strategic Goods Law. This draft legislation was in the final approval stages within the Afghan Ministry of Justice at the end of 2012. In addition, EXBS contributed to strengthening Afghanistan’s enforcement capacity through participation in a regional cross-border training program, and training through the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection agency.

The United States continued to assist the Afghan government to build capacity needed to secure potentially dangerous biological and chemical materials and infrastructure housed at Afghan facilities, while also productively engaging Afghan scientists and engineers that have WMD or WMD-applicable expertise.

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