Recent Sino-Indian and Indo-Russian informal agreements to undertake joint projects in Afghanistan mark a paradigm shift in the strategic ambitions of the region’s largest stakeholders. Partnerships in economic and regional connectivity offer the potential to reinvigorate interest in the Afghan peace process and to initiate shifts in regional alignments. But new developments and complexities challenge this model of cooperation, including a review of US policy in South Asia and implementation of Iranian sanctions, the threat of the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran spilling over into the region, the role of Pakistan, and questions regarding the ultimate agenda of the Taliban. Despite new peace overtures to induce the Taliban in the context of new and emerging dynamics, the opportunity for cooperation between India, China and Russia in the region signals new thinking regarding the Afghan War, and the potential for enhanced cooperation between regional stakeholders. This discussion will also address policy options to the United States and the Afghan Government.

The discussion will be held on September 5, 2018 from 9:00 to 10:30 am at the Atlantic Council. The event is open to press and on the record.