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Political and Economic Transition in Afghanistan

CAP's five recommendations for U.S. policymakers to take in Afghanistan.

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President Barack Obama announced the start of a security transition in Afghanistan earlier this summer that will give lead responsibility to the Afghan government by 2014. But the United States still lacks a fully integrated plan for the political and economic transition to complement the security transition.

Based on four days of meetings in Kabul, Afghanistan from July 27-30, 2011, with top Afghan, U.S., and international officials, we found that the Afghan state is in crisis, with a broad range of Afghans warning that their country’s fragile democratic institutions are crumbling.

Based on our findings, we recommend that U.S. policymakers take the following steps:

  • Reset the relationship with President Hamid Karzai while still using leverage to advance reforms.
  • Clarify the message.
  • Support and invest in democratic institutions and forces.
  • Support a more inclusive peace process.
  • Shift from a development strategy to a sustainable economic strategy.

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The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.

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