A "Dual Track Strategy" for Afghanistan - Fighting our Enemies and Helping the Afghan People Rebuild

SUMMARY

This memo takes on the rising chorus of voices calling for a military withdrawal from Afghanistan and offers ideas about how we can more effectively fight our enemies there and help the Afghan people rebuild.

Two myths underlie the current criticisms of a continuing US military role in Afghanistan: first, that our efforts are doomed to failure because of the history of Afghanistan; and second, that a development-only strategy could succeed in stabilizing the country. This memo argues that the United States must undertake a “Dual Track Strategy" for Afghanistan–one focused both on increased security and on stepped up development aid and diplomacy.

To read this Memo, open the attached PDF