ISAS Insights

As Afghanistan prepares for transition, United States (US) civilian and military leaders are fiercely debating over the scale and pace of a drawdown in US forces. Given that the Taliban insurgency is demonstrating its potent strike capabilities even in the relatively stable north and west of Afghanistan and talks of a negotiated settlement are gathering momentum, the US military is keen to pursue the current counter-insurgency strategy in order to negotiate from a position of strength. However, the civilian camp in the administration is unwilling to concede to an extended war and is citing rising costs and new geopolitical priorities to bring the US troops home. As the debate between the two camps intensifies, it is bound to impact the course of transition to the Afghan forces over the next three years