Political Strategies in the Afghan War
In the midst of Abdullah Abdullah's withdrawal from the presidential race and President Hamid Karzai's de facto victory, the Obama administration is assessing how to move forward in Afghanistan. The "messy" election process has only complicated their efforts, as the Afghan government, deemed essential to U.S. and NATO efforts, is hobbled by corruption and weak popular legitimacy.
Meanwhile, the Taliban insurgency's strength has grown, with its forces now estimated at 25,000 members—a 25 percent increase over the past year. Policymakers have discussed negotiating with elements of the insurgency to stem its momentum. The diverse range of motivations feeding into the insurgency has convinced many that some Taliban fighters can be persuaded to switch sides in the war in Afghanistan. Little progress has been made thus far in these reconciliation efforts, however, despite overtures by President Karzai and high-level Saudi-brokered efforts.
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