This report focuses on U.S. military operations in four areas -- Afghanistan, Africa, thePhilippines, and Colombia -- although the U.S. military is likely engaged in a variety of activitiesin other countries or regions that are considered part of the GWOT by the Administration. (2) 
Congress has a wide ranging interest in U.S. military operations in these regions. NATOassumption of responsibility for Afghanistan and its impact on U.S. military operations,counternarcotics operations in Afghanistan, and the apparently emerging long-term military strategyfor Africa -- raise a variety of issues for potential congressional consideration. Operational Issues. Combat Operations Against Insurgents. In 2006 theU.S. (127) 

		A Second Front for the War on Terrorism? Some suggest that U.S. involvement in the Philippines is part of a greater U.S. strategy tocombat Islamic terrorism throughout Southeast Asia. Will NATO assumption of command leadto a less vigorous pursuit of insurgents? Given this possibility,Congress might act to review the adequacy of U.S. military forces in the region as well as theircurrent mandate in terms of training and advising regional military forces.
U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, Africa, the Philippines, and Colombia are part of theU.S.-initiated Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). These operations cover a wide variety of combatand non-combat missions ranging from combating insurgents, to civil affairs and reconstructionoperations, to training military forces of other nations in counternarcotics, counterterrorism, andcounterinsurgency tactics. Numbers of U.S. forces involved in these operations range from 19,000to just a few hundred. Some have argued that U.S. military operations in these countries areachieving a degree of success and suggest that they may offer some lessons that might be applied inIraq as well as for future GWOT operations. Potential issues for the second session of the 109thCongress include NATO assumption of responsibility for operations in Afghanistan, counterdrugoperations in Afghanistan, a long-term strategy for Africa, and developments in Colombia and thePhilippines. This report will not discuss the provision of equipment and weapons to countries wherethe U.S. military is conducting counterterrorism operations (1) nor will it address Foreign Military Sales (FMS), which are alsoaspects of the Administration's GWOT military strategy. This report will be updated on a periodicbasis.