Afghanistan After 2014

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In The Media

Afghanistan After 2014

Focusing on the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan masks important political realities that may prevent the United States from achieving lasting peace and security as the 2014 deadline for withdrawal approaches.

By Sarah Chayes

Published on Nov 28, 2012

Source: KCRW

What are the pitfalls that the United States faces as it prepares to leave Afghanistan over the next two years? Speaking on KCRW radio, Carnegie’s Sarah Chayes participated in panel discussion on the pitfalls facing the United States as it prepares to leave Afghanistan over the next two years.

Chayes argued that the current topics dominating discussion in the White House and the Pentagon are the number of troops and the pace of withdrawal. But, she said, these are not the chief issues that will affect the chances of achieving lasting peace and security in the country. Instead, Chayes recommended looking at the state of civil society in Afghanistan. Chayes highlighted two areas of concern: the economy and the role of neighboring Pakistan.

The Economy: Chayes lamented the “acute capture” of the state’s economic resources by elite cliques, and warned that if the distribution of resources is not fairer and more equitable, long term stability in Afghanistan is unlikely.
Pakistan: Chayes advised high-level diplomatic engagement with Pakistan on its legitimate strategic goals for the region along with policy instruments designed to dissuade Pakistan from acting through militant proxies like the Taliban or the Haqqani network. She suggested that without bringing Pakistan on board, there is unlikely to be a lasting solution to the security problems Afghanistan faces.

This broadcast originally aired on KCRW Radio.

About the Author

Sarah Chayes

Former Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Sarah Chayes is internationally recognized for her innovative thinking on corruption and its implications. Her work explores how severe corruption can help prompt such crises as terrorism, revolutions and their violent aftermaths, and environmental degradation.

Recent Work

Commentary
China Financial Markets test
- Sarah Chayes
Paper
Fighting the Hydra: Lessons From Worldwide Protests Against Corruption
- Sarah Chayes

Security South Asia Afghanistan

Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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