Afghan Commentary Post

Repairing Afghanistan and Combatting Terrorism by Wahab Raofi     On March 27, 2009, i n a speech entitled “A New Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan,” American President Barack Obama said, "we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future." However, six years later, Afghanistan is on the verge of unraveling. The US is withdrawing its remaining troops, the Afghani government is weak from constant Taliban and extremist attacks, unable to spread its wings beyond the capital - Kabul, and unable to protect its citizens. In addition, the economy is in complete decline. As a result of this instability, thousands are attempting to flee the country or join either the Taliban or Daesh.   Can Afghanistan be saved?   1. Constructing a coherent strategy. US policies toward Afghanistan have been ambiguous and have vacillated from c...

Repairing Afghanistan and Combatting Terrorism by Wahab Raofi     On March 27, 2009, i n a speech entitled “A New Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan,” American President Barack Obama said, "we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future." However, six years later, Afghanistan is on the verge of unraveling. The US is withdrawing its remaining troops, the Afghani government is weak from constant Taliban and extremist attacks, unable to spread its wings beyond the capital - Kabul, and unable to protect its citizens. In addition, the economy is in complete decline. As a result of this instability, thousands are attempting to flee the country or join either the Taliban or Daesh.   Can Afghanistan be saved?   1. Constructing a coherent strategy. US policies toward Afghanistan have been ambiguous and have vacillated from c...