“We Must Win in Afghanistan:” Terror Groups Exploiting Stalemate

In an exclusive interview with The Cipher Brief, Hamdullah Mohib, the Afghan Ambassador to the U.S., emphasized the progress that the Afghan government, led by President Ashraf Ghani, and the Afghan National Security Forces, have made in stabilizing the country and to improve Afghanistan’s economy.  Mohib believes the key to defeating terrorist groups in Afghanistan is for members of the international community to “shift their thinking from ‘not losing’ to ‘winning.’” The Ambassador also spoke of the Afghan government’s efforts to root out corruption and of regional initiatives undertaken by the Afghan government and its neighbors.

TCB: According to many reports, the Taliban currently controls more territory in Afghanistan than at any point since 2001. What more can the Afghan government and Afghan Security Forces do to beat back Taliban advances? What role can the U.S. and coalition forces play in aiding this effort?