July 11, 2017
The Afghan War Is Not Lost
Sixteen years after the United States first sent troops to Afghanistan, U.S. military commanders describe the war there as stalemated. The Trump administration has initiated a major strategy review, and the Pentagon reportedly seeks to add several thousand American troops to the 8,400 already in Afghanistan. More troops can help achieve American objectives in Afghanistan, but only if they are part of a larger and more effective strategy. That will require a change of course.
The current approach is plainly inadequate. Although more Afghan forces are trained and in the fight than ever before, the Taliban today controls more territory than at any time since 9/11. Faced with corruption and exclusionary politics, popular opposition to the government in Kabul is rising, while the Taliban makes inroads in rural areas and, increasingly, near the cities. According to the U.S. government, some twenty insurgent or terrorist groups now operate in the Afghanistan-Pakistan theater, including ISIS, Al Qaeda and the Haqqanis—the world’s highest concentration of extremist networks.
Read the full piece on The National Interest.
More from CNAS
-
U.S. General Says Iran Is in a ‘Bad Place’ as Protesters ‘Rise Up’
Video
CNAS board of advisors member Ret. Gen. Philip Breedlove joins ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to weigh in on Iran’s mounting instability, the regime’s response to demonstrations and ...
By Philip Breedlove
-
What’s Behind the Protests in Iran?
Video
Anti-government protests in Iran that started over the country's economic situation have continued for a third week. "The Daily Report" breaks down who and what's behind the d...
By Elisa Catalano Ewers
-
Lebanon Is Disarming Hezbollah. The U.S. and Israel Can Do More to Help.
Commentary
This article was originally published in Foreign Policy. The Lebanese government is now at a pivotal point in its vital efforts to disarm Hezbollah and reassert full authority...
By Elisa Catalano Ewers
-
‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ Everywhere Except the U.S.
Video
Global markets remained resilient as investors grow accustomed to President Trump's unorthodox military operations, viewing them as temporary shocks rather than long-term risk...
By Rachel Ziemba
