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By Frederick Kagan and Kimberly Kagan
President Obama’s decision to withdraw another 34,000 troops from Afghanistan over the course of the next year is unwise. Removing troops and capabilities before Afghanistan’s next presidential election, scheduled for April 2014, further exacerbates the danger that Afghanistan might collapse into renewed ethnic civil war.
Leaving a bare-bones U.S. presence will risk a return of the Taliban—and civil war.
A suicide bombing in Kabul on December 6 targeted the head of the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS), Asadullah Khalid, in an event that has rattled Afghan elites and rekindled controversy between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The success of transitioning security responsibility to the Afghans is contingent upon their willingness and ability to receive the handoff.
Will the United States continue to conduct counterterrorism operations in South Asia? That question is central to any discussion about U.S. troop presence and mission in Afghanistan.
USMC General Joe Dunford appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee today to be confirmed as the next Commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
ISW Senior Fellow Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik (ret.) reviews Tom Ricks' latest book, The Generals.
Following NATO’s Chicago Summit in May 2012, defense officials met in Brussels October 10 to discuss issues facing the NATO alliance. The mission in Afghanistan was their primary focus, and the meeting produced several critical strategic announcements.
