Download

Download Full Text (381 KB)

Description

For the last 8 years, the United States has focused its South Asia efforts primarily on Afghanistan. Despite repeated calls in U.S. strategic documents for a regional approach, the public debate has consistently returned to Afghanistan. During the Obama administration’s lengthy 2009 policy review, public discussion narrowed even further to the single issue of troop strength. With the President’s speech on December 1, the debate over the number of troops faded, only to be replaced by discussions about the proposed withdrawal start date of July 2011 and the time necessary to deploy an additional 30,000 troops into Afghanistan. Obviously, the administration has just begun to implement its new plan, and the outcome remains uncertain. It will be years before we can determine if the new policy is successful.

Document Type

Policy Brief

Publication Date

6-2010

Publication

Strategic Forum

Publisher

National Defense University Press

City

Washington, DC

Prioritizing Strategic Interests in South Asia

Share

COinS