Tag Archives: Inspector General

Special IG Reports Signal Trouble Ahead for Afghanistan

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The Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction, an office created by Congress to provide independent and objective oversight of Afghanistan reconstruction projects and activities, released two reports this week which combine to signal bad times ahead in this war-torn country.

Linked on the SIGAR website under the error-filled headline, SIGAR releases lastest Quarterly Report to Congress focusing on U.S. transition and Afghan government capabilities, the first report is a quarterly report that covers a multitude of topics, including, but not limited to, “Green-on-Blue” (a.k.a., “insider”) attacks, rampant corruption and failed peace talks.

The second report, an audit, reveals that the Afghan government will likely be incapable of fully sustaining Afghan National Security Force facilities after the transition in 2014 and the expected decrease in U.S. and coalition support.

A quick review of the two reports seems to indicate things are not only going downhill in this war-torn country, but they’re going downhill fast.

Good luck to John F. Sopko, the man sworn in as SIGAR July 2, as he continues on this Herculean task.  He’s gonna need it!

Bob McCarty is the author of “Three Days In August: A U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier’s Fight For Military Justice,” a nonfiction book that’s available in paperback and ebook via most online booksellers, including Amazon.com. His second book, “The CLAPPER MEMO,” is set for release this fall.

Wyoming Senators Says Lack of Oversight Undermines Transparency and Sound Science

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No, it’s not the most exciting topic, but it is important.  Today, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released a report detailing the Subcommittee’s lack of oversight on a number of key Administration activities that undermine transparency and sound science.  Among the findings of the report are the following:

  • In 2009, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Majority chose not to conduct oversight over the relevant agencies within the executive branch;
  • The lack of any oversight over the activities of the federal agencies weakens the system of checks and balances, and invites the potential for larger abuses;
  • Action must be taken to investigate oversight issues from the last year; and
  • Further coordination within the Committee regarding the oversight jurisdiction and responsibility is needed.

In the video below, Senator Barrasso, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, discussed the report on the floor of the U.S. Senate while speaking about Mr. Arthur Elkins’ nomination to serve as Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency.