The Forgotten War: US Foreign Policy in

Afghanistan

Esther Lin and Rachel Tang

A History of US-Afghanistan Policy

1940s - 1960s•     US established embassy in Kabul, ran

economic/military assistance programs 

April 1978- Saur Revolution•  Communist People's Democratic Party of

Afghanistan overthrows monarchy• 1979-US ambassador is killed; Soviet Union

intervenes in Afghanistano US terminates all assistance programs, begins

aiding rebels with up to 3 million dollars 

A History of US-Afghanistan Policy

1996- Rebels (Taliban) seize Kabul and begin theocratic rule, supported by Al-Qaeda.

1997- Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan recognize the Taliban as legitimate government of Afghanistan 

2001- 9/11 occurs, US declares war on Afghanistan with intent to eliminate terrorist havens/reconstruct government (Afghan Investment/Reconstruction Task Force)

Who's WhoPresident Obama: Commander in ChiefGeneral Petraeus: Current commander in AfghanistanEx General McChrystal: Asked for the additional troops for Afghanistan, Obama sent 30,000 more troops Al Qaeda: terrorist group, responsible for the 9/11 crisisOsama Bin Laden: leader of Al QaedaTaliban: terrorist group that houses Al QaedaHamid Karzai: President of AfghanistanAfghan Security Forces: protect the safety of Afghanistan ideally, being trained by US troops

Background on Current Foreign Policy

• Obama's West Point Speech • "Disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaeda"• Prevent their return to either Afghanistan 

o Surge forces, targeting elements of the insurgencySecuring key population centers, major citiesTraining Afghan forcesTransferring responsibility to Afghan partner Increasing our partnership with Pakistanis

(they face the same threat)

Pro: Foreign Policy

• Deadline July 2011o Afghan people deserve to know deadline for

preparationo US combat forces deserve to know when their

mission is overo Open-ended conflicts erode morale

Do not want another drawn out war like Vietnam 

o "Taking into conditions on the ground"Afghanistan must be able to assume full

control of country

Pro: Foreign Policy

• Developments are underway to stabilize Afghanistano Was a failed nation o What happens in Afghanistan affects US

national securityo Democracy in election of Karzaio Rebuilding infrastructure

Evidence:

• 73% of Afghans feel that government is more democratic; less corrupt. (Afghan Conflict Monitor)

• Afghan armies are being trained; competency boosts confidence and stability, increases trust in government o Ratio of instructors:students => 1 : 79 in 2009 to

1 : 29 in 2010•  Karzai's election and appointment of ethnically

diverse ministers creates balanceo Election was clear sign of rising democracy 

75% eligible votes

Con: Foreign Policy

• The war has gone for too longo Original intention : prevent terrorists from using

Afghanistan as safe haven.  o  Iraq took attention away; Afghanistan lacked

clear policy and resources so the war dragged on for too long. 

• The goal should be ousting the Taliban and destroying terrorist groups, not nation-buildingo Legitimacy comes from the people

Con: Foreign Policy

• Surge will not work: o In Iraq, situation turned b/c of al-Qaeda losing

support of Sunni groups, not necessarily b/c of the troop surgeNo such similar groups in Afghanistan

o Pumping money into a 'civilian surge' only fosters corruption, protection rackets for local warlords and Taliban. 

Evidence:

• Congressional Report: Warlords, Inc. o In depth congressional report about trucking

companies paying protection fees to local warlords/Taliban

• 1 January to 30 June 2010, 3,268 conflict-related civilian casualties; 31 per cent increase compared to the first 6 months of 2009. 

• 321 troops have died so far in 2010--highest since the war began.

Recent Developments:

• Oct. 28, 2010: France announces plans to hand over some districts to Afghan forces and possibly begin pulling out of Afghanistan in 2011. (Currently has 3, 750 troops )

•  Oct. 27, 2010: Afghanistan is considering a schedule to terminate security contractors starting Nov. 15. 

•  Oct. 22, 2010: US proposes $2 billion security package for Pakistan to fight insurgents. 

•  Oct. 18, 2010: 1.3 mill out of 5.6 mill (over 20%) ballots in the parliamentary elections were canceled due to fraud. 

•  Oct. 6, 2010: Afghan forces seize 19 tons of explosives being smuggled across the Iranian border. o heightened suspicion of Iran

Interest Groups

Anti- Afghanistan War: Code Pink• The Afghanistan War cannot be won• We spent too many fruitless years in Afghanistan-

no reduction of terrorism threats, no peace in country

•  Need an exit strategy, now.

Pro-Afghanistan War: Move America Forward •  Support our troops•  Supports troops' missions in the war on terror

Public Opinion Polls

Galluphttp://www.gallup.com/poll/124490/In-U.S.-More-Support-Increasing-Troops-Afghanistan.aspx

Galluphttp://www.gallup.com/poll/116233/Afghanistan.aspx

Galluphttp://www.gallup.com/poll/116233/Afghanistan.aspx

What do the parties think?Republicans: • Support the troop increase

Democrats:• Generally do not support the war• Would prefer • Do not want to increase troops or war funding

Socialists:• bring the troops back• not fighting for the Afghanistan citizens• increased threat of terrorists

Kal's Cartoonshttp://www.kaltoons.com/wordpress/2009/12/kal-economist-afghanistan-cartoons/

Kal's Cartoonshttp://www.kaltoons.com/wordpress/2009/12/kal-economist-afghanistan-cartoons/