RAND >

Afghanistan

International Diplomacy
commentary
Is America Ready for a Peace Deal in Afghanistan?
Laurel E. Miller, Stephen Watts
Apr 27, 2018
The National Interest
The Trump administration appears to be following its predecessor in imagining a political endgame in Afghanistan. It is focused on military efforts to try to turn the tide of the conflict, in hopes of negotiating from a stronger position. But if all sides continue to seek military advantage, negotiations will never commence.
Read More »

Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
In Afghanistan, A Protracted Stalemate
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Feb 26, 2018
The National Interest
The United States has been at war in Afghanistan for over 16 years, at a cost of over $1 trillion. But the Taliban now controls more territory than at any point since the U.S.-led invasion. This should give pause to observers who believe that the United States is, or will soon be, poised to turn the tide in Afghanistan.
Read More »
Security Cooperation
commentary
Where Will ISIS Seek to Establish Its Next Safe Haven?
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
Feb 19, 2018
The Jerusalem Post
Many of ISIS's surviving fighters will seek out new battlefields to continue waging jihad. By coordinating with its allies around the globe, the U.S. could work to help alleviate the conditions that lead states to fail, making them less appealing as sanctuaries where terrorists can rest, rearm, and recuperate.
Read More »
Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
The United States and Pakistan: Best Frenemies Forever?
Laurel E. Miller
Jan 16, 2018
The National Interest
A realistic approach to dealing with Pakistan does not mean selling out Afghanistan or taking a loss on the substantial U.S. investment in the region. Rather, it is necessary for giving Afghanistan a better shot at a more stable future than the current approach is likely to produce.
Read More »
Threat Assessment
commentary
Where Is Assad Getting His Fighters from? (It's Not Just Lebanon and Iraq)
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke, Phillip Smyth
Jan 4, 2018
The National Interest
The Assad regime's defense against insurgents in Syria's ongoing civil war is being provided by forces imported from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as Lebanon and Iraq. Most of these fighters are being trained and equipped by Iran. Could this network of foreign fighters help Iran establish a greater presence beyond the Middle East?
Read More »
Counterinsurgency
commentary
Mali Is France's Afghanistan, but with a Difference
Stephanie Pezard @StephaniePezard, Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Dec 1, 2017
War on the Rocks
At first glance the comparison between the French military operations in Mali and America’s involvement in Afghanistan is compelling, and in some important ways, accurate. It also presents some fundamental differences that give reason for optimism in France.
Read More »
International Diplomacy
commentary
Despite Tillerson, U.S. Won't Abandon Pakistan for India
Jonah Blank
Oct 27, 2017
The Indian Express
There is no new U.S. policy towards Pakistan and there won't be one soon. As long as the U.S. has troops in neighboring Afghanistan, it will be reliant on Pakistan for logistical support, transit, and Islamabad's influence with both the Taliban and its affiliated Haqqani Network.
Read More »
Nation Building
commentary
President Trump's Recommitment to Nation-Building in Afghanistan
Laurel E. Miller
Aug 30, 2017
Newsweek
In his speech on Afghanistan, President Trump maintained his stance against nation-building. But like President Obama's policy, the refreshed approach hinges on the U.S. developing Afghan government capabilities to fight the Taliban, provide for the country's long-term security, and serve as a counterterrorism partner.
Read More »
Politics and Government
commentary
What Afghanistan Needs to Move Forward: A Political Solution
S. Rebecca Zimmerman @_rebeccaz
Aug 24, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Although the U.S. military's role in maintaining stability has been crucial, a real solution needs to consider Afghan politics first. The United States and the international community should push for parliamentary elections to build confidence between the government and the people.
Read More »
Afghanistan
commentary
Trump's New Afghanistan Strategy: Governing from the Center?
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Aug 22, 2017
The Hill
The president has embraced a national security establishment strategy for Afghanistan with a veneer that does not alter its essence. The result is likely to disappoint some of his supporters and to be criticized by his opponents, but it will also secure a measure of bipartisan support.
Read More »
Military Acquisition and Procurement
commentary
Privatizing the Military Unlikely to Be a Viable Solution in Afghanistan
Molly Dunigan @MollyDunigan
Aug 14, 2017
The National Interest
Operational contractors are now an entrenched part of the Department of Defense’s total force and are here to stay. But replacing U.S. military personnel with contractors is not likely to be a militarily effective solution for the Afghanistan problem.
Read More »
Military Acquisition and Procurement
commentary
Is It a Good Idea to Privatize the War in Afghanistan?
S. Rebecca Zimmerman @_rebeccaz
Aug 4, 2017
Newsweek
The CEO of the Blackwater Corporation has suggested that the U.S. should privatize the war in Afghanistan, and the administration is reportedly giving it some thought. It is important not to dismiss this plan categorically, but to consider it on the merits. Doing so highlights the risks of such a plan.
Read More »
Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
While Americans Fight the Taliban, Putin Is Making Headway in Afghanistan
Arturo Munoz
Jul 31, 2017
Newsweek
The Russians are ramping up political, economic, and propaganda activities to improve their image and reestablish their influence amid pervasive corruption that is impeding progress in Afghanistan.
Read More »
Afghanistan
commentary
A Peace 'Surge' to End War in Afghanistan
Laurel E. Miller
Jul 24, 2017
New York Times
President Trump has no easy options in Afghanistan. A surge of U.S. commitment to negotiating a political settlement would not remove all the obstacles, but it is a prerequisite.
Read More »
Afghanistan
commentary
Trump's Options for Afghanistan: Losing or Not Losing
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Jun 23, 2017
The Cipher Brief
The Trump administration faces the choice of losing quickly by withdrawing from Afghanistan; losing slowly by maintaining America's current, inadequate commitment; or not losing by increasing that commitment enough to maintain a stalemate on the battlefield.
Read More »
Special Operations Forces
commentary
SOF's Evolving Role: Warfare 'By, With, and Through' Local Forces
Linda Robinson @RobinsonL100
May 9, 2017
The Cipher Brief
U.S. special operations forces are not providing the muscle of the frontline combat troops fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Instead, they are providing meaningful support to the various indigenous forces. If they succeed, this model could become a standard option in the U.S. military playbook.
Read More »

Page 1 of 11

Afghanistan

Is America Ready for a Peace Deal in Afghanistan?

In Afghanistan, A Protracted Stalemate

Where Will ISIS Seek to Establish Its Next Safe Haven?

The United States and Pakistan: Best Frenemies Forever?

Where Is Assad Getting His Fighters from? (It's Not Just Lebanon and Iraq)

Mali Is France's Afghanistan, but with a Difference

Despite Tillerson, U.S. Won't Abandon Pakistan for India

President Trump's Recommitment to Nation-Building in Afghanistan

What Afghanistan Needs to Move Forward: A Political Solution

Trump's New Afghanistan Strategy: Governing from the Center?

Privatizing the Military Unlikely to Be a Viable Solution in Afghanistan

Is It a Good Idea to Privatize the War in Afghanistan?

While Americans Fight the Taliban, Putin Is Making Headway in Afghanistan

A Peace 'Surge' to End War in Afghanistan

Trump's Options for Afghanistan: Losing or Not Losing

SOF's Evolving Role: Warfare 'By, With, and Through' Local Forces

Contact Us

Follow