Post-2014 U.S. Policy in Afghanistan

The goal of this SIPA Capstone was to develop options for U.S. policy in Afghanistan and to prepare a white paper for the Office of the U.S. Vice-President. In doing so, the team defined U.S. strategic objectives in Afghanistan, planned scenarios for the post-2014 environment, developed policies and strategies to best advance U.S. objectives, and built a framework for the implementation of the stated policies. The team conducted over forty interviews with experts from the U.S., Afghan and other foreign governments, the U.S. military, private development sector, international organizations, think tanks, and academia, as well as an extensive literature review.

The final white paper provides strategic recommendations for the U.S. Government to meet its interests in Afghanistan after the NATO/International Security Assistance Force mission concludes at the end of 2014. The paper builds on earlier policy recommendations by taking account of the recent history of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and the current political context. It recommends specific lines of effort identified as the most effective ways for the U.S. to achieve its objectives. It also recommends areas for the U.S. to emphasize or deemphasize in its engagement with Afghanistan to best manage the continuing security risk posed by violent extremist organizations operating in the region.

To provide the client with options, the team developed two strategic policy ‘packages’ to guide U.S. policymaking. Each package contains actions across five lines of effort—security, diplomatic posture, government & development assistance, civil society, and strategic communications—and each emphasizes areas where the U.S. offers unique capabilities or can exert meaningful leverage on actors that influence Afghan security and stability.