Strategic dialogues

The participants of the Atlantic Council / Rockefeller Brothers Fund Strategic Dialogues have been working for the past eight months to develop a long-term strategic outlook to promote stability in Afghanistan consistent with Afghan, US, and European interests and values. This group of distinguished European, American, and Afghan diplomats, military officers, scholars, and analysts brought to our deliberations a deep understanding of the context both on the ground and among the allies. We explored a diplomatic-security framework based on the minimal conditions and variables necessary to realize a long-term vision of a sovereign, unified, democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and generated recommendations to support this vision.

Flagship report

Illicit Networks-Zaranj

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 15, 2020

Strategies for reforming Afghanistan’s illicit networks

By Harris Samad and Fatima Salman

Authored in-house and advised upon by senior fellows Ambassador James B. Cunningham, Ambassador Omar Samad, Marika Theros, Javid Ahmad, and Fatemeh Aman, this report explores illicit networks in Afghanistan in the context of peacebuilding, democratic consolidation, and enhancing state capacity. It concludes by outlining several specific policy recommendations that will be necessary to combat the illicit networks in a manner that supports the durability of the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan and the continued consolidation of its fragile democratic institutions.

Afghanistan Arms Control

The South Asia Center serves as the Atlantic Council’s focal point for work on the region as well as relations between these countries, neighboring regions, Europe, and the United States.

Content

MENASource

Mar 16, 2023

I was once denied an education in Iraq. This is why the Taliban’s prohibition on female education matters.

By Nibras Basitkey

As an Iraqi refugee who understands the importance of education, I recognize that achieving gender parity in education is critical for Afghanistan’s long-term economic growth and prosperity.

Afghanistan Education

SouthAsiaSource

Feb 2, 2023

For Pakistan, dealing with its Taliban problem is a walk on eggshells

By Javid Ahmad

Islamabad faces a lose-lose scenario against the Pakistani Taliban. But it is not too late for Pakistan to stop peeling the banana from the wrong end.

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Jan 27, 2023

Atwell in Modern War Institute

By Atlantic Council

On January 23, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Kyle Atwell hosted a podcast examining the lessons that the US military, and in particular the US Army, should take from the twenty-war year in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Jan 19, 2023

Younus in Newlines Institute: With no help from Kabul, Pakistan faces the TTP threat

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Jan 13, 2023

Samad in The Diplomat: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is back. Washington should take note.

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Pakistan

MENASource

Jan 12, 2023

Saudi Arabia and Qatar are cooperating with the Taliban. But their approaches to Afghanistan are different. 

By Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco and Kristian P. Alexander

All Gulf Cooperation Council states have come to terms with the reality of Taliban rule in Afghanistan since August 2021 and must pragmatically deal with the situation on the ground.

Afghanistan Indo-Pacific

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 22, 2022

Afghanistan and regional realignments since August 2021

By South Asia Center

When looking towards future solutions, there is no easy fix for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Central Asia

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 6, 2022

A reframed engagement with Afghanistan

By Annie Pforzheimer

Some form of engagement is important to ensure that Afghanistan’s people are not forgotten and can sustainably recover from the economic shocks of drought, COVID-19, and lost international assistance associated with the NATO presence. 

Afghanistan Human Rights

In the News

Dec 2, 2022

Hakimi for European Council on Refugees and Exiles: Working paper: Higher education in Europe: A pathway to protection for Afghans?

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Civil Society

SouthAsiaSource

Nov 17, 2022

Reflections on the 2022 Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan and regional security

By Nilofar Sakhi

The countries involved in the 2022 Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan have yet to address, let alone resolve, fundamental issues related to regional security and a political settlement for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Experts