On June 7, 2017, the South Asia Center hosted a discussion on the regional perspectives of the United States strategy in Afghanistan. Former Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, India’s Former Minister of Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari, and the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Dr. Ashley J. Tellis discussed the role of regional players and the United States in stabilizing the security environment in Afghanistan.
The panelists talked extensively about Afghanistan’s security issues over the years and the steps it should take to improve relations going forward. The speakers highlighted the need for countries, particularly Afghanistan and Pakistan, to come to the table and work together. It was emphasized that Afghanistan is not isolated from its neighbors, how negative developments in Afghan security potentially impact the entirety of the region, and that a common consensus is required to effectively address the ongoing conflict. Simultaneously, the panelists emphasized that the United States still possesses important influence in the region, and cannot ignore its ongoing role in pursuing a stable and peaceful Afghanistan.