James Dobbins

By : James Dobbins

Throughout these years, Afghan security forces have increased in numbers and competence. As American and other NATO forces have withdrawn, Afghan soldiers and police have filled the vacuum, largely retaining the territorial gains made during the 2010–2011 surge in NATO troop strength.

Earlier this year, Afghanistan held its fifth national election. Voter participation was strong, even in areas heavily contested by the Taleban. The results were widely seen as a victory for the Afghan army and police, and a defeat for the insurgency.

Compared with Syrians or Iraqis, most Afghans live in relative security. Over the past 13 years, millions of refugees have been returning to, not fleeing, Afghanistan. The economy has grown fourfold. The literacy rate has doubled. Perhaps most remarkably for a country still in conflict, longevity has increased by 20 years — the largest jump any society has made in such a short timeframe since humankind started collecting such statistics. Despite the ongoing war, most Afghans are living longer, healthier and more productive lives.

Nevertheless, Afghan government forces have suffered an increasing casualty rate throughout the past year. Of course, so has the Taleban. Thus far, recruitment has kept pace with combat losses and other forms of attrition within the army and police, and probably within the Taleban as well.

More of the same is expected for next year: Hard ground combat and heavy casualties with even less air power available to support government forces. One side or the other might crack under these pressures, but the more likely outcome is an enduring stalemate.

Stalemate on the battlefield meets the essential American objective of ensuring that Afghanistan does not again offer a safe and friendly environment to Al-Qaeda and its affiliates and imitators. But stalemate is hardly a desirable long-term prospect.

Since 2011, the United States, the Afghan government, and the Taleban have engaged in intermittent and often indirect talks about peace negotiations. The Taleban has been willing to meet with American but not Afghan officials, and the United States has not been willing to discuss Afghanistan’s future without the participation of the Afghan government.

It may be stalemate on the battlefield that eventually forces the parties to break this stalemate over the shape of a peace process.

Several factors could alter this projection. Congress might begin to cut the funds necessary to keep Afghan security forces in the field. The current government of national unity in Kabul might disintegrate into mutually hostile factions, splitting the Afghan army and police. The Obama administration needs to forestall these developments. US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry should also work with the new leadership in Kabul to offer a peace process the Taleban leadership eventually will not want to refuse.

An Afghan security forces member arrives at the site of burning NATO supply trucks after a Taliban attack at Behsud District of Nangarhar Province, on Monday.

 
 
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