Asia

Afghanistan

Afghanistan
America’s Withdrawal of Choice

Article by Richard Haass

The swift fall of Kabul recalls the ignominious fall of Saigon in 1975. Beyond the local consequences—widespread reprisals, harsh repression of women and girls, and massive refugee flows—America’s strategic and moral failure in Afghanistan will reinforce questions about US reliability among friends and foes alike.
Aug 15, 2021
The swift fall of Kabul recalls the ignominious fall of Saigon in 1975. Beyond the local consequences—widespread reprisals, harsh repression of women and girls, and massive refugee flows—America’s strategic and moral failure in Afghanistan will reinforce questions about US reliability among friends and foes alike.
Aug 15, 2021
Global Conflict Tracker: War in Afghanistan
Afghan forces continue to face significant challenges in holding territory and defending population centers, while the Taliban continues to contest districts and carry out suicide attacks in major cities.

by Center for Preventive Action Aug 18, 2021

The U.S. War in Afghanistan
The Taliban surged back to power two decades after U.S.-led forces toppled their regime in what led to the United States’ longest war.

Timeline by Zachary Laub and Lindsay Maizland Sep 27, 2022

The Taliban in Afghanistan
The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, twenty years after their ouster by U.S. troops. Under their harsh rule, they have cracked down on women’s rights and neglected basic services.

Backgrounder by Lindsay Maizland Jan 19, 2023

  • Afghanistan
    Taliban Talks, a Balancing Act
    The United States continues to pursue peace talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban as a means to secure stability. Bruce Riedel discusses the challenges faced by the administration, including its ongoing tensions with Pakistan.
    Interview with Bruce O. Riedel and Bernard Gwertzman January 24, 2012
  • Afghanistan
    Who Is Targeting Afghanistan’s Shia?
    Attacks on Shia Muslims in Afghanistan claimed by a Pakistani militant group are a disturbing omen -- for sectarian ties and the prospects for a peace deal with insurgents, says counterterrorism expert Brian Fishman.
    Interview with Brian Fishman and Jayshree Bajoria December 14, 2011
  • Afghanistan
    How Afghanization Can Work
    What is the best way to stabilize Afghanistan at a time when international forces are scaling down commitments? Putting Afghan troops in the lead of their own counterinsurgency efforts, writes CFR’s Linda Robinson.
    Expert Brief by Linda Robinson December 2, 2011
  • Afghanistan
    HBO History Makers Series with Stanley McChrystal
    Play
    The Home Box Office History Makers Series focuses particular attention on the contributions made by a prominent individual at a critical juncture in international relations. Recent speakers in the series include James D. Wolfensohn, Condoleezza Rice, and George Shultz.
    Event with Stanley McChrystal and Tom Brokaw October 6, 2011 HBO History Makers
  • Afghanistan
    HBO History Makers Series with Stanley A. McChrystal
    Play
    Stanley A. McChrystal, former commander of the United States and International Security Assistance Forces Afghanistan and Joint Special Operations Command's premier military counterterrorism force, discusses his experiences in Afghanistan. This meeting is part of the HBO History Makers series.
    Event October 6, 2011 HBO History Makers
  • Afghanistan
    Looming Threat to Afghan Women’s Rights
    With the United States eager to withdraw from Afghanistan and reconciliation with the Taliban considered key to any peace process, Afghan women’s rights are once again in question, writes CFR’s Gayle Tzemach Lemmon.
    Expert Brief by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon October 5, 2011 Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Program
  • Afghanistan
    Maternal Health in Afghanistan
    Overview In this Working Paper, Isobel Coleman and Gayle Tzemach Lemmon argue that continued U.S. investment in maternal health should be part of a responsible drawdown in Afghanistan. Through a host of interventions, the United States has already laid the critical building blocks to reduce Afghanistan's staggering maternal mortality ratio and the potential to further improve maternal health in Afghanistan in a cost-effective manner is considerable. Realizing these gains in coming years will produce myriad benefits, not only for public health, but also for women's empowerment, economic development, security, and stability. Maternal health investments save lives and are a cost-efficient way to improve the overall health of the country. Because health care is one of the few interactions that Afghan citizens have with their government, improving delivery of health-care services could be a stabilizing factor in a country that will continue to face severe security challenges from antigovernment forces. Maternal health also enjoys broad community support and has the added benefit of empowering women, an important dimension in a society in which biases against women still run strong and a resurgent Taliban threatens women's gains of recent years. Study Group Members Nasratullah Ansari, Jhpiego, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University Linda A. Bartlett, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Susan Brock, USAID Afghanistan Denise Byrd, Jhpiego, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University Ibrahim Parvanta, CTS Global, Inc., assigned to the CDC Mary Ellen Stanton, U.S. Agency for International Development
    Report by Isobel Coleman and Gayle Tzemach Lemmon September 23, 2011 Women and Foreign Policy Program
  • Defense and Security
    A Conversation with Lindsey O. Graham
    Play
    Please join Senator Lindsey O. Graham to discuss his recent trip to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, as well as other foreign policy challenges including the evolving situations in Libya and Syria.
    Event with Lindsey O. Graham and Jonathan Karl September 15, 2011
  • Defense and Security
    A Conversation with Lindsey O. Graham
    Play
    Senator Lindsey O. Graham discusses his recent trip to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, the evolving situations in Libya and Syria, and other foreign policy challenges.
    Event September 15, 2011
  • Afghanistan
    How Afghanistan Is Rebuilding Itself
    As concerns grow over Afghanistan’s ability to govern, USAID’s J. Alexander Thier discusses development successes and challenges, singling out infrastructure and energy as critical areas for investment.
    Interview with J. Alexander Thier and Jayshree Bajoria September 9, 2011
  • Afghanistan
    Afghan Concerns over U.S. Staying Power
    As Washington and Kabul work toward a security arrangement post-2014, President Karzai’s aide Taj Ayubi says Washington’s wariness over signing a binding agreement have led to Afghan concerns over the long-term U.S. commitment to the country.
    Interview with Jayshree Bajoria and Taj Ayubi September 7, 2011
  • Afghanistan
    Making Sense of the Afghan Peace Dividend
    Scaling back the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan will yield a peace dividend, but only when Social Security and Medicare spending are controlled will the U.S. be able to refocus on domestic priorities, says CFR’S Gayle Tzemach Lemmon.
    Expert Brief by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon July 20, 2011 Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Program