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Afghan War News > General Info > Counterinsurgency Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT)

Description of the CAAT

The Counterinsurgency Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT) was formed to assist in the overall counterinsurgency effort in Afghanistan.  The CAAT provides observation, assessment and reporting to COMISAF on the overall counterinsurgency effort.  The CAAT identifies best and worst COIN practices and advises and assists commanders at all levels to enable effective, integrated COIN operations in Afghanistan.

History of CAAT.  The CAAT was established in 2009 in response to a request for a counterinsurgency team to help the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operationalize intent in the ongoing counterinsurgency campaign. 

New Name.  The CAAT has since been renamed to COMISAF Advisory and Assistance Team.  It's current mission is to provide directed observations and reporting to COMISAF (Commander International Security Assistance Force) on strategic priority areas; identify opportunities to enhance and exploit ISAF initiatives; and advise and assist across the theater to maximize ISAF campaign effects.

COMISAF Advisory and Assistance Team Public Website.  The CAAT public website - Ronna - is accessible at the link below.  On the website you will find the CAAT mission, its history, and links to other counterinsurgency articles and publications. The website is hosted by harmonieweb.org.

https://ronna-afghan.harmonieweb.org/CAAT/SiteAssets/CAAT_Welcome_page.aspx

CAAT Webpage on ISAF NATO Portal.  In addition to the CAAT website listed above there is also a page on the ISAF NATO Portal as well.  On this page you will find links to some CAAT publiscations such as COIN Common Sense.

www.isaf.nato.int/article/coin/index.php

COIN Common Sense.  The CAAT produces a bi-monthly magazine about counterinsurgency entitled "COIN Common Sense".  Each issue concentrates on a specific theme.  Past issues have covered topics such as "Civil Society and Counterinsurgency", "Partnering: A Counterinsurgency Imperative", "Information Operations", "Reintegration & Reconciliation", "Socioeconomic Development", "Developing Governance", "Neutralizing Malign Influences", "Enable the ANSF", and "COIN is a Mindset".  Past issues of COIN Common Sense can be accessed here on the Ronna website.

Promotional spot for COIN Common Sense, published
quarterly in Afghanistan by COMISAF Advisory & Assistance Team.

COIN Advisory.  The CAAT will issue COIN Advisories from time to time.  The CAAT COIN Advisory is a means of rapidly distributing observations across the Afghan area of operations. Past topics include "Partnering", "Entering Homes", and "Religious Importance of the Quran".

Publications by CAAT

Guidelines in Partnering for Tranistion.  CAAT Special Report, December 2011.  Accessed here on on March 9, 2012 on publicintelligence.net.

The COIN Warrior Waging Influence: Hints for the Counterinsurgency (COIN) Strategy in Afghanistan.  By Sean McKenna and Russell Hampsey, CAAT, 25 May 2010.  Accessed on Small Wars Journal here on January 16, 2012. (Adobe PDF).

Counterinsurgency from Below: The Afghan Local Police in Theoretical and Comparative Perspective.  By Joe Quinn and Mario A. Fumerton, CAAT, November 2010.  Accessed on Ronna-Afghan website here on January 10, 2012.  (Adobe PDF).

Partnering: A Counterinsurgency Imperative.  CAAT Special Report.  20 September 2010.  Accessed here on Small Wars Journal on January 10, 2012.   (Adobe PDF).

A Time for Sergeants: COIN Success at the Company and Platoon Level in Afghanistan.  CAAT, July 2010.  Accessed on Small Wars Journal here on January 10, 2012.  (Adobe PDF).

Less Boom for the Buck: Projects for COIN Effects and Transition.  CAAT Special Report, April 2011.  Accessed on ISAF portal here on January 13, 2012.

Afghanistan's Unique Surge: The fight can only be won by listening to Afghan voices.  By CAAT, Armed Forces Journal, June 2010.  Accessed here on January 16, 2012.

Rediscovering the Art of Psychological Operations in the Afghan Counterinsurgency.  CAAT Team Member, June, 2010.  Accessed on Small Wars Journal here January 2012.

Suggested Reading List for Afghanistan

For a listing of documents and publications to read prior to deploying to Afghanistan see a suggested Afghanistan reading list recommended by the CAAT, the US Army Combined Arms Center, and other organizations.