While the combat mission in Afghanistan concluded in late 2014, U.S. involvement remains significant and critical to security in the country. In recent weeks, talk of a settlement between the Taliban and the Afghan government has gained momentum. At the same time, however, increased U.S. air strikes against insurgents have taken place, and Afghan soldiers continue to take their heaviest losses of the war as intense fighting continues in a number of Afghan provinces. Additionally, concerns over ISIS moving into the region are also mounting.
On August 4, the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence at Brookings hosted a discussion on the current and future state of the Afghan conflict. General John F. Campbell, commander of Operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan, discussed the country’s security landscape. Michael O’Hanlon, co-director of the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence, moderated.