Afghanistan's Looming Security Test (Council on Foreign Relations)
The short-term situation in Afghanistan is more promising than is perceived in the United States, but uncertainties abound in the long run, says CFR's Stephen Biddle. Afghan security forces have thus far exceeded expectations as they assume greater autonomy from U.S. troops, but "this summer's fighting season will be a major test," he says. On the political front, Biddle notes that much is a stake for Afghanistan in the election next spring, when President Hamid Karzai is expected to anoint his successor. As the United States seeks to rekindle stalled peace talks between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Taliban in the coming months, the "overwhelmingly critical long-term issue" after the U.S. departure in 2014 will be Congress's willingness to keep funding Kabul.
https://www.cfr.org/afghanistan/afghanistans-looming-security-test/p30573