Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
Abstract
Afghanistan s planned political transition was completed with the convening of a parliament in December 2005, but insurgent threats to Afghanistan s government have escalated in 2006 to the point that some experts are questioning whether U.S. stabilization efforts will succeed. In the political process, a new constitution was adopted in January 2004, successful presidential elections were held on October 9, 2004, and parliamentary elections took place on September 18, 2005. The parliament has become an arena for factions that have fought each other for nearly three decades to debate and peacefully resolve differences. Afghan citizens are enjoying new personal freedoms that were forbidden under the Taliban. Women are participating in economic and political life, including as ministers, provincial governors, and senior levels of the new parliament. Despite the political and social accomplishments since 2001, an insurgency led by remnants of the former Taliban regime has escalated in 2006. Taliban fighters have conducted several increasingly larger scale attacks on coalition and Afghan security forces in several southern provinces since April 2006, setting back reconstruction and thwarting efforts to extend Afghan government authority. In addition, narcotics trafficking is rampant, and independent militias remain throughout the country, although many are being progressively disarmed. U.S. stabilization measures focus on strengthening the central government and its security forces while combating insurgents. The United States and other countries are building an Afghan National Army; deploying a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to patrol Kabul and other cities; and running regional enclaves to secure reconstruction (Provincial Reconstruction Teams, PRTs). Approximately 23,000 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan to combat the Taliban-led insurgency, but the United States is planning to shift more of the security burden to NATO during 2006.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 27, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA472659
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress