Author: Dr Larry P Goodson, Prof Thomas H Johnson
View the Executive Summary
What should the United States do about Afghanistan? After nearly 13 years and substantial U.S. national commitment in a country on the other side of the world, much has changed in Afghanistan, the United States, Afghanistan’s region, and the globe. To prepare policy and strategy recommendations on Afghanistan for U.S. leaders, this monograph answers six key questions:
1. Did the United States have or develop critical national interests in Afghanistan and its immediate neighborhood on or because of the events of September 11, 2001?
2. Was overall U.S. strategy to pursue those interests successful and appropriate?
3. What outside conditions shaping U.S. involvement in Afghanistan exist now?
4. Do new vital and/or important national interests not met by our earlier strategies exist in this region?
5. What strategy(s) should the United States adopt or emphasize to achieve critical national interests in/around Afghanistan?
6. What risks and challenges are associated with new policies and/or strategies?