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Sustainable Security in Afghanistan

Report from Lawrence Korb, Caroline Wadhams, Colin Cookman, and Sean Duggan provides recommendations for a lasting security in Afghanistan.

Swords and Ploughshares

A report by Reuben Brigety presents the results of a simulation exercise to assess the impact of U.S. foreign assistance in Afghanistan.

Partnership for Progress

Report from Caroline Wadhams, Brian Katulis, Lawrence J. Korb, and Colin Cookman offers a new strategy for prosperity and stability in Pakistan and the region.

Other South & Central Asia Features

February 1, 2010

Pursuing Energy Security in Eurasia

Ambassador Richard L. Morningstar dropped by CAP to discuss the Obama administration’s stance on global energy partnerships in the new decade.
January 27, 2010

Administration Objectives and Civilian Critiques

National Security Advisor General James. L Jones and a panel of civilian experts discuss the direction of U.S. security initiatives in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
January 27, 2010

The Urgency of the Moment

Caroline Wadhams offers guidelines for creating international consensus on a civilian strategy in Afghanistan at the London conference. By Caroline Wadhams
January 25, 2010

Unanswered Questions on Afghanistan and Pakistan Policy

The Obama administration’s Afghanistan and Pakistan strategy document provides more details but leaves three critical questions unanswered, writes Brian Katulis. By Brian Katulis
January 25, 2010

Ask the Expert: Determining Success in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Brian Katulis discusses the Obama administration's new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan and why we need to know when we get to mission accomplished. By Brian Katulis
January 21, 2010

The False Promise of Primacy

Nina Hachigian debunks Robert Kagan’s nostalgia for Bush-era foreign policy and argues that our greatest strengths are our ideas, flexibility, and leadership. By Nina Hachigian
December 22, 2009

Paying for the Troop Escalation in Afghanistan

Report from Lawrence J. Korb outlines 10 ways to cut baseline defense spending to fight this war within our means. By Lawrence J. Korb, Sean Duggan, Laura Conley, Jacob Stokes
December 17, 2009

Overall Strategy Is Needed

Lawrence J. Korb, Laura Conley and Sean Duggan tackle President Barack Obama's many pressing national security decisions that stem from our growing involvement in Afghanistan. By Lawrence J. Korb, Sean Duggan, Laura Conley
December 14, 2009

Afghan Women Still Need U.S. Support

Peter Juul presents five steps to protect and improve Afghan women’s rights as the United States begins its new strategy there. By Peter Juul
December 9, 2009

Obama's New Strategy for Afghanistan

In this clip from Voz de America's El Mundo al Día, Senior Fellow Michael Werz talks to host Gonzalo Abarca about Barack Obama's strategy in Afghanistan in light of his decision to increase troop levels by 30,000. Werz argues that Obama's decision to increase troop levels was made carefully and with the full consideration of our allies. Werz also reaffirms CAP's position that the war must be financed by redirecting funding from next year's defense budget and not be financed by adding to the deficit. Finally, Werz emphasizes the strategic importance of cooperating with Pakistan. By Michael Werz
December 2, 2009

Concerns About the Civilian Strategy in Afghanistan

Caroline Wadhams discusses the Obama administration's Afghanistan strategy at Foreign Policy magazine. By Caroline Wadhams
December 2, 2009

Lingering Questions for the President

Caroline Wadhams discusses the Obama administrations strategy for Afghanistan at Democracy Arsenal. By Caroline Wadhams
December 2, 2009

Ask the Expert: Making it Work in Afghanistan

Caroline Wadhams discusses President Obama's Afghanistan policy and what the administration would need to do for their mission to be successful. By Caroline Wadhams
December 2, 2009

Statement on President Obama’s Address to the Nation on Afghanistan

CAP analyzes President Obama's speech last night on the administration's Afghanistan strategy. By Caroline Wadhams, Lawrence J. Korb, Brian Katulis
December 1, 2009

A Surge of a Different Sort for Afghanistan

The headlines on President Obama's Afghanistan speech have focused on the additional U.S. troops he is sending, but there's another component to the new strategy that is just as vital to achieving some progress and greater stability in that troubled country: the civilian surge. And making this surge a success will be no easy task. By Brian Katulis
November 24, 2009

The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Is Vital

Colin Cookman and Brian Katulis outline India’s strategic importance to the United States on global and regional issues as India’s prime minister arrives for the first state visit hosted by President Obama. By Colin Cookman, Brian Katulis
November 19, 2009

How to Make the Afghanistan War a “Just War”

Susan Thistlethwaite and Brian Katulis argue that moral considerations should shape the Obama administration’s decision on the Afghanistan war. By Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, Brian Katulis
November 9, 2009

Will the U.N.’s Withdrawal Cancel Out the U.S.’s Civilian Surge?

On Thursday, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan announced that it would relocate hundreds of foreign staff out of the country in response to an attack targeting a U.N. guest house in Kabul last week. U.N. spokesman Dan McNortan told reporters that out of a total of 1,100 expatriate workers, 600 will be temporarily relocated for security reasons. By Brian Katulis
November 2, 2009

Using U.S. Leverage to Strengthen Afghan Governance

The Obama administration needs to work with its close NATO allies to set a clear plan aimed at outlining expectations for the Karzai government, writes Brian Katulis. By Brian Katulis
October 28, 2009

Advancing Sustainable Security in South Asia

Don’t let the recent attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan distract from addressing South Asia’s strategic security challenges, writes Brian Katulis. By Brian Katulis
October 28, 2009

Our Faustian Bargains in Afghanistan

Afghan elections illuminate how ex-warlords’ influence continues to hold back democratic governance and threaten political stability, write Caroline Wadhams, Colin Cookman, and Christina Misunas. By Caroline Wadhams, Colin Cookman, Christina Misunas
October 26, 2009

Profiles of Afghan Power Brokers

An in-depth look at some of the more powerful figures in Afghan political society.
October 22, 2009

The Changing Climate in India

India brings new hope that developed and developing nations will be able to reach an agreement on emissions reduction, write Andrew Light, Julian L. Wong, and Sabina Dewan. By Andrew Light, Julian L. Wong, Sabina Dewan
October 21, 2009

Keep Pushing Effective Governance in Afghanistan

The international community should continue to demand strong government in Afghanistan as the country heads into another round of voting, write Caroline Wadhams, Colin Cookman, and Peter Juul. By Caroline Wadhams, Colin Cookman, Peter Juul
October 15, 2009

Don't Put All the Security Eggs in the Al Qaeda Basket

Faced with commander McChrystal's grim new security assessment, the Obama administration stands on the brink of making major reforms to its Afghanistan strategy—one that is further complicated by reports of election fraud that diminish the legitimacy of its partner government in Kabul. By Caroline Wadhams, Colin Cookman
September 28, 2009

The Wrong Question

In his recent assessment of the war in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, argued that focusing on increasing troop levels and resources misses the point. Despite this assertion, the U.S. public debate barrels along focused almost exclusively on one question: should the United States send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan? By Caroline Wadhams
September 17, 2009

Faith Experts Discuss Afghanistan

Brian Katulis briefs faith communities on the recent election in Afghanistan and how the United States and faith groups can provide sustainable help to the country. By Eleni Towns
September 9, 2009

The Imperfect Election Was the Easy Part ...

As members of an international election observation delegation to last month's presidential election and provincial elections, we were impressed that the courage of millions Afghan voters who showed up at the polls despite widespread violence and intimidation. Holding an election in a time of war is never an easy thing, and many Afghans faced the tough choice of going to cast their ballots in a combat zone. By Brian Katulis, Hardin Lang
September 2, 2009

Evaluating the Elections in Afghanistan

CAP panelists offer firsthand observations of last month’s Afghanistan elections and what steps the United States needs to take going forward no matter who wins.
August 24, 2009

Avoid the Rush to Judgment in the Afghan Election

Brian Katulis gives an update on the elections in Afghanistan at Foreign Policy. By Brian Katulis
August 21, 2009

In Afghanistan, Do What We Must

Lawrence Korb argues that it’s time we prioritized operations in Afghanistan over Iraq before the situation deteriorates further. By Lawrence J. Korb
August 19, 2009

Slideshow: Afghanistan Heads to the Ballot Box

Brian Katulis shares photos and insights from Kabul, Afghanistan, where he is currently helping as a monitor for Thursday's election. By Brian Katulis
August 19, 2009

Watching the Afghan Elections

No matter the outcome of tomorrow’s elections in Afghanistan, the United States and others will need to move quickly before support fades for the mission there, write Caroline Wadhams and Brian Katulis. By Caroline Wadhams, Brian Katulis
August 17, 2009

Five Things to Watch Around Afghan Elections

With three days until ballots are cast in presidential and provincial elections here, an air of uncertainty hangs over a process that U.S. President Barack Obama has called the most important event of the year in Afghanistan. Threats of violence along with worries about the potential for electoral fraud and possible post-election political violence loom, and no one knows what quite to expect in the coming days and weeks here. By Brian Katulis
August 10, 2009

Inadequate Afghan Security Forces

Regarding the article “U.S. seeks gauge for Afghan effort” (Aug. 7): The recent American-led operation into Afghanistan’s Helmand Province is long overdue. But the conspicuous shortage of Afghan security forces bodes ill for the current operation and the larger American-led mission in the country. While over 4,000 American marines are part of the operation, only a little over 600 Afghan defense personnel have accompanied them. By Sean Duggan
July 22, 2009

Interactive Map: Leaders of Pakistan's Militant Groups

Interactive map shows the locations of Pakistan's militant leaders, gives information about their motivations and tactics, and shows where the Pakistani military is fighting them. By Caroline Wadhams, Colin Cookman
July 22, 2009

Faces of Pakistan's Militant Leaders

Militant commanders in Pakistan are often collectively referred to as “Taliban,” but they groups possess varied origins, motivations, tactics, and leadership. These profiles offer insight. By Caroline Wadhams, Colin Cookman
July 21, 2009

Real Economic Development in Afghanistan: Women Rug Weavers Create Hope

Slideshow and Interview with Arzu Rugs CEO Connie Duckworth give an inside look at sustainable security in action in Afghanistan. By Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
July 21, 2009

Understanding the Terrorist Threat

Congress must exercise oversight of the Obama administration’s counterinsurgency strategies in Pakistan, write Brian Katulis and Peter Juul. By Brian Katulis, Peter Juul
June 24, 2009

Nuclear Security Cooperation Between the United States and Pakistan

A survey by Andrew J. Grotto and Michelle Hammer catalogues nuclear security cooperation between the United States and Pakistan from 2000 to 2009. By Andrew J. Grotto, Michelle Hammer
June 19, 2009

Slideshow: Pakistan's Internally Displaced People

This slideshow shows powerful images of Pakistan's refugees, telling a story of the issues they're facing and the violence that displaced them. By Caroline Wadhams, Colin Cookman
June 19, 2009

Interactive Map: Fighting Pushes Pakistanis from Their Homes and Threatens Further Instability

Pakistan’s displaced people deserve a close look this World Refugee Day—this interactive map shows how fighting has pushed Pakistan’s people from their homes. By Caroline Wadhams, Colin Cookman
June 11, 2009

Price of Success in Afghanistan: What Are the Stakes for the International Community?

The Century Foundation and the Center for American Progress held a luncheon roundtable on June 2, to discuss "The Price of Success in Afghanistan: What Are the Stakes for the International Community?" By Lawrence J. Korb
May 28, 2009

Timeline: Militants Zero in on the Government

Interactive timeline shows that yesterday’s attack on Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence agency is another in a string of attacks by militants against the Pakistani government. By Peter Juul
May 27, 2009

Meeting the Challenges in Pakistan

Lawrence J. Korb, Brian Katulis, and Colin Cookman report on the current situation in Pakistan and how to move U.S. strategy forward. By Lawrence J. Korb, Brian Katulis, Colin Cookman
May 27, 2009

Video: Pakistan: Experts in the Field

Lawrence Korb, Brian Katulis, and Colin Cookman recently returned from a research trip to Pakistan, and this video chronicles what they found.
May 21, 2009

Building Long-Lasting Partnerships with Pakistan

CAP hosts a briefing with a diverse group of faith experts to explore areas where faith-based groups can help achieve sustainable peace in Pakistan. By Sarah Dreier
May 19, 2009

The Security of Pakistan's Nuclear Arsenal

During the last week of April, I visited four cities in Pakistan (Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi). The purpose of the trip was to discuss a December 2008 Center for American Progress report that I coauthored, Partnership for Progress: Advancing a New Strategy for Prosperity and Stability in Pakistan and the Region. By Lawrence J. Korb
May 7, 2009

The Missing Piece in the Pakistan Puzzle

Brian Katulis writes for Middle East Progress on this week’s round of trilateral talks between the United States, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. By Brian Katulis
May 1, 2009

More Money and Counterinsurgency Training Alone Aren’t the Answer in Pakistan

Brian Katulis, back from Pakistan, offers analysis of Secretary Robert Gates’ proposal for a new Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund. By Brian Katulis

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Where We Stand on National Security

CAP’s national security approach embodies progressive traditions that have protected our nation and nurtured our democratic ideals and freedom at home and abroad. Our policy priorities secure our country from attack and protect our national security interests abroad by ensuring our military forces are capable and ready, and our democratic alliances are strong and enduring. We understand that integrated military, diplomatic, and economic power guided by progressive ideals makes us safer and more prosperous.