South Asia

NATO Supply Route Through Caucasus Needed

By Tamerlan Vahabov

Instability along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border is making alternative supply routes for NATO troops increasingly necessary.

Transcript: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Obama – Discussions on the New Strategy

Transcript by Federal News Service, Washington, DC. FREDERICK KEMPE:  Gentlemen, you’ve attracted a crowd.  Good afternoon and welcome to this ambassadorial discussion at the Atlantic Council.  I’m Fred Kempe, president and CEO of the Atlantic Council.  We’re delighted to welcome Ambassador Husain Haqqani of the Embassy of Pakistan and Ambassador Said Jawad of the Embassy […]

Afghanistan after the NATO Summit: A Stronger Alliance or a Quick Fix?

By Valerie Nichols

NATO’s 60th Anniversary Summit ended with a cheerful photo-op and a pleased President Obama.  America’s NATO allies have pledged 5,000 more troops for Afghanistan and a lot of cash.  But is this a real contribution to bolstering the alliance or simply a vocal display of camaraderie?

Obama: Need to Refocus on Al Qaeda

By James Joyner

President Obama told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the Bush administration had lost its focus in Afghanistan and that his team will “refocus attention on al Qaeda.”

Obama’s Afghanistan Plan: What’s So New About It?

By James Joyner

President Obama’s new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan has won the backhanded praise of Hamid Karzai, who termed it “better than we were expecting.”  Gordon Brown has lauded the plan as well and called for NATO to do more.

New Afghanistan Plan: Still No Exit Strategy

By James Joyner

President Obama gave a speech this morning outlining his new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, which served as the unveiling of a (slightly) more detailed white paper [PDF].

Pakistan – USA Trust Gap Must be Closed

By Harlan Ullman

George Bernard Shaw quipped that England and America were two like nations divided by a common language.  Today, Pakistan and America are divided by far more than language. One of the most divisive dangers beyond al Qaeda and extremism is the looming trust deficit between Pakistan and America. 

Afghanistan: Counterinsurgency or Counterterrorism?

By James Joyner

Slate’s Fred Kaplan reports that, after weeks of strategic reviews, the Obama administration will have to decide by next week’s NATO summit between “two radically different Afghanistan policies.”

Has NATO Lost Afghanistan?

By James Joyner

In an interviewed aired on last night’s installment of CBS’ “60 Minutes,” President Obama continued to define victory down in Afghanistan, stating that, “Making sure Al-Qaeda cannot attack the US homeland and US interests and our allies. That’s the number one priority.”