Afghanistan has long been a crossroads of world cultures, economies, politics, and militaries. RAND's early research on Afghanistan examined the 1980s Soviet military campaign and the subsequent fundamentalist Islamic regime. Since Operation Enduring Freedom, the 2001 U.S. military effort to rout the Taliban and find Osama bin Ladin's Al Qaeda network, RAND has engaged the new Afghan government, military, and people to support reconstruction, counterinsurgency, and nation-building efforts.
Research conducted by:
Center for Asia Pacific Policy;
RAND Project AIR FORCE;
RAND National Security Research Division;
RAND Arroyo Center;
Initiative for Middle Eastern Youth;
Center for Middle East Public Policy
Multimedia (5)
On June 16, 2011, the RAND Corporation presented "After bin Laden: The United States, Afghanistan, and Pakistan" as part of its public outreach series in Santa Monica, California. The program featured senior political scientist Seth Jones, an expert on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and al Qa'ida who has worked abroad in conflict zones over the last several years.
Brian Michael Jenkins, senior adviser at the RAND Corporation, spoke with RAND media relations director Jeffrey Hiday about the death of Osama bin Laden and how it might affect al Qaeda, the relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan, and more.
Counterterrorism expert Arturo Munoz discusses the viability of establishing civilian defense forces to complement Afghan National Security Forces in this May 10, 2010, Congressional Briefing.
On October 29, 2009, the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy convened a half-day symposium of experts—including Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Ambassador James Dobbins, Senator Carl Levin, and others—and journalists to address assumptions and alternatives for U.S. policy in Afghanistan.
In an Al Jazeera Inside Story report, RAND expert Cheryl Benard and two other analysts provide insights into the Obama Administration's new strategy for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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