Post-2014 Drawdown and Afghanistan’s Transition Challenges

Year 2014, Volume: 19 Issue: 4, 195 - 212, 01.01.2014

Saman Zulfqar

Abstract

The prospects of a post 2014 drawdown of foreign troops from Afghanistan and the subsequent transition process have raised concerns about the capacity of the Afghan state to endure the challenges of transition. The process of security transition was initiated in 2011 with the handing over of security responsibilities to the Afghan National Security Forces. The passing years have exposed the weaknesses of the Afghan forces while highlighting future security challenges for Afghanistan. Likewise, the process of political transition has been completed by the formation of a Unity Government in Afghanistan. The task of economic transition is a challenging one as it depends on the transformation of the Afghan economy. The paper aims at identifying the transition challenges and their implications for Afghanistan. It discusses the interests and policies of various stakeholders in the Afghan conflict. The paper highlights the role of regional states in facilitating the transition while defining its significance for regional stability

Keywords

Afghanistan, transition, BSA, ISAF, Elections, TAPI and CASA-1000.

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