Stabilization: Lessons from the U.S. experience in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, the U.S. government has spent nearly 18 years trying to help the Afghan government stabilize rural communities by winning hearts and minds. With the recent rise of the Islamic State and its affiliates, it is important to examine the various stabilization efforts and programs the U.S. government implemented in Afghanistan and identify lessons and recommendations for future efforts.

On May 24, the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence hosted John F. Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) for a keynote address on the release of the new SIGAR report titled “Stabilization: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan.” This address was followed by a discussion facilitated by Brookings President John R. Allen.

The conversation was then be followed by a panel discussion with distinguished analysts and practitioners, including Frances Z. Brown, fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Vanda Felbab-Brown, senior fellow at Brookings; Colonel Joel Vowell, executive officer to the secretary of the Army; and David H. Young, lead analyst at SIGAR and lead author of the report. The panel and Q&A was moderated by Tamara Cofman Wittes, senior fellow at Brookings. After both the discussion and panel, participants took audience questions.