Meet the Press at Brookings: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Future of U.S. Policy in the Region

The Obama administration released its latest review of the current war strategy in Afghanistan this week. After ordering 30,000 additional U.S. troops to the region last year and setting a July 2011 target date for withdrawal, the White House is under pressure to show progress in the now nine-year-old war. Recent reports by U.S. officials highlight NATO’s progress in training Afghan security forces and curbing Taliban influence in the region. How accurate are these reports and how realistic is President Obama’s withdrawal timeline?

On December 16, Foreign Policy at Brookings and NBC’s Meet the Press hosted a panel discussion focusing on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the future of the U.S.-NATO mission. David Gregory, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, moderated the session, part of a monthly series of discussions on foreign policy. Panelists included Brookings Senior Fellow Bruce Riedel, Brookings Fellow Vanda Felbab-Brown, and former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ron Neumann.

Vice President Martin Indyk, director of Foreign Policy, provided introductory remarks. After the program, the panelists took audience questions.