Afghan Endgames: Strategy and Policy Choices for America's Longest War (South Asia in World Affairs)

The United States and its allies have been fighting the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan for a decade in a war that either side could still win. While a gradual drawdown has begun, significant numbers of US combat troops will remain in Afghanistan until at least 2014, perhaps longer, depending on the situation on the ground and the outcome of the US presidential election in 2012. Given the realities of the Taliban's persistence and the desire of US policymakers―and the public―to find a way out, what can and should be the goals of the US and its allies in Afghanistan? Afghan Endgames brings together some of the finest minds in the fields of history, strategy, anthropology, ethics, and mass communications to provide a clear, balanced, and comprehensive assessment of the alternatives for restoring peace and stability to Afghanistan. Presenting a range of options―from immediate withdrawal of all coalition forces to the maintenance of an open-ended, but greatly reduced military presence―the contributors weigh the many costs, risks, and benefits of each alternative. This important book boldly pursues several strands of thought suggesting that a strong, legitimate central government is far from likely to emerge in Kabul; that fewer coalition forces, used in creative ways, may have better effects on the ground than a larger, more conventional presence; and that, even though Pakistan should not be pushed too hard, so as to avoid sparking social chaos there, Afghanistan's other neighbors can and should be encouraged to become more actively involved. The volume's editors conclude that while there may never be complete peace in Afghanistan, a self-sustaining security system able to restore order swiftly in the wake of violence is attainable. Understanding The Afghan Challenge / Hy Rothstein And John Arquilla -- A Familiar Western Experience In Ancient Afghanistan / Victor Davis Hanson -- Afghan Paradoxes / Thomas Barfield -- America's Longest War / Hy Rothstein -- A Case For Withdrawal / Andrew J. Bacevich -- A Case For Staying The Course / Frederick W. Kagan -- Afghanistan : The Third Way -- Edward N. Luttwak -- Beyond Victory And Defeat / Scott Sigmund Gartner And Leo Blanken -- The Ethics Of Exit : Moral Obligation In The Afghan Endgame / Russell Muirhead -- Shaping Strategic Communication / Robert Reilly -- Civil And Uncivil Society / Jade I. Rodriguez & Rebecca Lorentz -- Conclusion : Assessing The Strategic Alternatives / John Arquilla And Hy Rothstein. Hy Rothstein And John Arquilla, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Afghan Endgames brings together some of the finest minds in the fields of history, strategy, international relations, anthropology, ethics, and mass communications to assess the prospects for peace and security in Afghanistan, to debate what would best serve US interests, and to provide a range of policy options for US leaders to consider in 2012 and beyond -- from immediate withdrawal of all coalition forces to the maintenance of an open-ended but greatly reduced military presence. Given the realities of the Taliban's persistence and the desire of US policymakers - and the public - to find a way out, what can and should be the goals of the US and its allies in Afghanistan? This title provides a comprehensive assessment of the alternatives for restoring peace and stability to Afghanistan.

A balanced, comprehensive, and clear-eyed survey of the alternative strategies that can be pursued with the hope of restoring peace and stability to Afghanistan.