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After years of policy drift, the announcement by President Barack Obama of a 17,000-strong U.S. troop increase in Afghanistan and the recent inaugural tour of the region by newly appointed special envoy Ambassador Richard Holbrooke signal renewed attention to a challenge shared by the United States, Afghanistan, its regional neighbors, and the world. Reports of rising civilian casualties, sustained insurgent violence, and destabilizing drug cultivation all add urgency to ongoing strategic reviews by the White House and other government agencies. A concerted international effort by the Afghan government, the United States, NATO allies, and other regional partners will be crucial to addressing these issues.

Please join the Center for American Progress for remarks by His Excellency Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Afghanistan, to be followed by a question and answer session.