16 November 2018

CRS Report on Afghanistan – November 2018


An updated CRS report on Afghanistan has been posted. The 18-page report (R45122) published on November 1, 2018 provides an overview of the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and the US policy on Afghanistan.

Entitled Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy: I Brief, the report provides by the Congressional Research Service provides members of Congress with

“. . . an overview of current political and military dynamics, with a focus on the Trump Administration’s new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia, the U.S.-led coalition and Afghan military operations, and recent political developments, including prospects for peace talks and elections.”

Additionally, the report provides – by way of figures – a depiction of insurgent activity in Afghanistan by district and a graphic of the control of districts in Afghanistan.

The opening and concluding sections of the report – “Overview” and “Outlook” – provide a measured assessment of the security situation in Afghanistan. The report notes that while US military officials remain optimistic that the Taliban will be forced to the negotiating table – policymakers and analysts have described the war against the insurgency as a stalemate. The report indicates that the Taliban have demonstrated considerable capabilities in 2018 and that U.S. hopes for a negotiated settlement has not transpired.

The report can be read online or downloaded:

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