Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
Abstract
U.S. and outside assessments of the effort to stabilize Afghanistan are mixed and subject to debate; the Administration notes progress on reconstruction, governance, and security in many areas of Afghanistan, particularly the U.S.-led eastern sector of Afghanistan. However, recent outside studies contain relatively pessimistic assessments, emphasizing a growing sense of insecurity in areas previously considered secure, increased numbers of suicide attacks, increasing aggregate poppy cultivation, and growing divisions within the NATO alliance about total troop contributions and the relative share of combat primarily in the south. Both the official U.S. as well as outside assessments are increasingly pointing to Pakistan as failing to prevent Taliban commanders from operating from Pakistan. To try to gain momentum against the insurgency, the United States is planning new initiatives including adding U.S. troops to the still combat-intense south, possibly assuming U.S. command of the southern sector, and potentially increasing direct U.S. action against Taliban concentrations inside Pakistan. Politically, the Afghan government remains reasonably stable. The post-Taliban transition was completed with the convening of a parliament in December 2005; 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. To help stabilize Afghanistan, the United States and partner countries are deploying a 50,000 troop NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) that now commands peacekeeping throughout Afghanistan, including the restive south. Of those, 22,000 of the 34,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan are part of ISAF. The U.S. and partner forces also run regional enclaves to secure reconstruction and are building an Afghan National Army and National Police.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA481693
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress