The Civil – Military Effort in Afghanistan: A Strategic Perspective

Abstract

Since the final objectives of the Bonn Process were met in the Fall of 2005, the security situation in the south of Afghanistan has deteriorated to the point that substantive economic development has been retarded. The more serious consequences of this situation include an erosion of public confidence in the elected government’s ability to consolidate peace and stability, a burgeoning poppy industry and an increase in generalized lawlessness and “war-lordism.” Internationally, the persistence of the insurgency has caused any number of Western leaders to question the continued viability of their national commitments to the future of Afghanistan. This situation is the result of a number of serious strategic errors – military and civilian. This paper will describe these and will use the Afghan Compact as the framework to suggest a major re-orientation of the international effort so that it accords with this vital joint Afghan – International strategic vision. It will also suggest some measures to improve coordination among all international and Afghan actors to ensure the future of the Afghan people.