Following the Western drawdown in Afghanistan, the global and regional security landscapes will change dramatically. Al Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban, and their allies, who are still posing a threat to the U.S.-led coalition, are poised to return to Afghanistan. Further, the mujahidin in the tribal areas of Pakistan may once again draw the support of pools of fighters. Scholars from the countries discussed use their own on-the-ground experience to explain the post-2014 key strategic decisions that face policymakers in Afghanistan, the United States, and the region. These diverse perspectives help grasp issues necessary to assess the strategic environment. The book provides a roadmap for the strategy outlined along with predictive analysis of what is likely to happen. Particular attention is paid to the U.S.-Afghanistan Bilateral Security Agreement as well as reconciliation talks with the Afghan Taliban. Overall, the looming increases in global terrorism that may result warrant a continued focus and resource allocation to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
Map of Afghanistan Timeline of Key Events in Afghanistan Preface and acknowledgments Introduction
1. What Does the Future Hold for Afghanistan? Halimullah Kousary
2. Pakistan's Inextricable Role in Afghanistan's Futureb Abdul Basit
3. An American Perspective for Afghanistan's Future Douglas R. Woodall
4. India's Key Role and South Asia's Security Concerns Iftekharul Bashar
5. The Endgame in Afghanistan Will Impact Central Asia Nodirbek Soliyev
6. Iran's Strategic Designs for Afghanistan Halimullah Kousary
7. Why Afghanistan Matters: the Global Threat of Terrorism Rohan Gunaratna
8. Threat Group Profiles Afghan Taliban Al Qaeda Haqqani Network Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin (HIG) Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group Nazir Group (Commander Nazir) Tehrik-e-Taliban Group
About the Authors Notes Index
Map of Afghanistan Timeline of Key Events in Afghanistan Preface and acknowledgments Introduction 1. What Does the Future Hold for Afghanistan? Halimullah Kousary 2. Pakistan's Inextricable Role in Afghanistan's Futureb Abdul Basit 3. An American Perspective for Afghanistan's Future Douglas R. Woodall 4. India's Key Role and South Asia's Security Concerns Iftekharul Bashar 5. The Endgame in Afghanistan Will Impact Central Asia Nodirbek Soliyev 6. Iran's Strategic Designs for Afghanistan Halimullah Kousary 7. Why Afghanistan Matters: the Global Threat of Terrorism Rohan Gunaratna 8. Threat Group Profiles Afghan Taliban Al Qaeda Haqqani Network Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin (HIG) Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group Nazir Group (Commander Nazir) Tehrik-e-Taliban Group About the Authors Notes Index
