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Security and Stability in Afghanistan

Posted: February 2nd, 2016

With the international community focused on the expanding threat from ISIS, the persistent threat the Taliban poses to stability in Afghanistan seems to be getting little attention.  The recent rise in Taliban attacks threatens the fragile state of affairs after more than 15 years of war and calls into question the United States’ plan to significantly cut its troops in 2017. 

A Pentagon report released in December 2015 assessed that, “in the second half of 2015, the overall security situation in Afghanistan deteriorated, with an increase in effective insurgent attacks.” This year began similarly grim, with at least six Taliban bomb attacks in Kabul and the attack on a Pakistani university.  The insurgent group has also been diversifying its targets.  Last week, the Taliban attacked a critical power line in Kabul, plunging the Afghan capital into darkness. 

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