The Future of Afghanistan

The approaching summer marks the beginning of the U.S. transition to Afghan security leadership and also promises to be a key milestone in neighboring Pakistan, which is struggling with growing security and economic challenges.  Determining the right approach for what is rapidly becoming the most dangerous region in the world demands serious thinking and considered debate, especially in an era of shrinking government expenditures and fiscal austerity.

In Responsible Transition: Securing U.S. Interests in Afghanistan Beyond 2011, authors by Lieutenant General David Barno, USA (Ret.) and Andrew Exum argue for a much smaller yet enduring U.S. military presence in order to support U.S. vital interests, and charted a course for the United States beyond the planned, full transition of security responsibilities in Afghanistan in 2014. CNAS is also conducting ongoing  work on a broader regional strategy that will highlight U.S. interests and options in South and Central Asia and make new recommendations for reshaping both the U.S. government’s approach to the region and the policy trajectory for the road ahead.

On April 13, 2011, the Center hosted a briefing and roundtable discussion, led by CNAS President Dr. John Nagl, David Barno and Andrew Exum, that focused not only on the immediate implications of Afghanistan for the United States but also those that loom in the coming years.