• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
Podcast Episode

Tellis on Afghanistan's Taliban Problem

There are no easy solutions in Afghanistan. The conflict is the United States’ longest-running war, and despite the billions of dollars that have been spent in foreign support since 9/11, the Taliban continues to pose a major security threat. Carnegie expert Ashley Tellis discusses the choices facing the White House. (Runtime - 19:39)

Link Copied
By Tom Carver and Ashley J. Tellis
Published on Jun 5, 2017

Subscribe on

YoutubeSpotifyApple PodcastsOvercastPlayer FM

As the recent horrific bombings show, there are no easy solutions in Afghanistan. The conflict is the United States’ longest-running war, and despite the billions of dollars that have been spent in foreign support since 9/11, the Taliban continues to pose a major security threat. The White House is in the midst of a review of its Afghanistan policy and will decide later this year whether to increase the number of US troops in the country. Carnegie expert Ashley Tellis has analyzed the issue for many years, and discusses the choices facing the White House with Tom Carver.

Ashley Tellis served as senior adviser to the ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. He also served on the U.S. National Security Council staff as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. He is the author of India’s Emerging Nuclear Posture (RAND, 2001) and co-author of Interpreting China’s Grand Strategy: Past, Present, and Future (RAND, 2000). Tellis holds the Carnegie Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs.​

Hosted by

Tom Carver
Former Vice President for Communications and Strategy
Tom Carver
Ashley J. Tellis
Former Senior Fellow

Carnegie 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.

More Work from The World Unpacked

  • Podcast Episode
    How Europe Fights Russia Without the U.S.

    Sophia Besch games out NATO’s future, Baltic scenarios, German rearmament, and Europe’s next way of war. 

      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, Sophia Besch

  • Podcast Episode
    Iran Will Probably Still Get Nukes – Here’s How

    James Acton gives 50% odds of an Iranian nuke in 3 years and tells U.S. negotiators what to prioritize. 

      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, James M. Acton

  • The World Unpacked
    Podcast Episode
    How a U.S.-China War Would Unfold

    A U.S.-China war over Taiwan would be catastrophic for all sides and the world. Preventing such a war requires understanding how it might unfold—from start to finish—including worst-case scenarios.

      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, Charles Hooper

  • A New Middle East?
    Podcast Episode
    In the New Middle East, No One Is In Charge

    Marwan Muasher—a former foreign minister of Jordan and now a VP at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace—joins The World Unpacked to make sense of a region in flux.

      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, Marwan Muasher

  • Theo Baker
    Podcast Episode
    Is Silicon Valley Corrupting Stanford?

    Theo Baker is no ordinary college senior. His student newspaper articles brought down Stanford’s president. Now he’s written a book about the making of the young tech elite. 

      • Jon Bateman
      • Theo Baker

      Jon Bateman, Theo Baker

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.