Rapid Fire Dec. 13, 2013: Afghan Progress, Challenges, ORBAT

• The Pentagon released its latest full progress report [PDF] on Afghanistan, acknowledging significant risks:

“The insurgency’s safe havens in Pakistan, the limited institutional capacity of the Afghan government, and endemic corruption remain the greatest risks to long-term stability and sustainable security in Afghanistan. The Taliban-led insurgency and its al-Qaida affiliates still operate from sanctuaries in Pakistan, however, the insurgency and al-Qaida continue to face U.S. counterterrorism pressure within the safe havens. U.S. relations with Pakistan have begun to improve following the re-opening of Pakistani Ground Lines of Communication (GLOCs), and there has been nascent improvement with respect to cross-border cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

• The Institute for the Study of War updated their Order of Battle [PDF] for coalition forces in Afghanistan.