War in Afghanistan Marks Grim Anniversary

As of this week, “it’s now nine years since the beginning of the Afghan war, and the United States and its allies have little to show for the effort. Al Qaeda has been pushed out of Afghanistan but has found a safe haven in neighboring Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban looked defeated for a while but are now strengthening and likely to play a leadership role in some future version of Afghanistan. The Afghan government, created after the invasion, has proven corrupt and ineffective and incapable of winning over the population. Afghanistan was a relatively easy war to start. Getting out will be the hard part. Ten months away from President Obama’s self-imposed date for beginning the withdrawal of troops, the chances of pulling a rabbit out of the Afghan hat are seeming extremely remote,” says Asia Society Executive Vice President Jamie Metzl.

Jamie, who was an election observer in Afghanistan last year, is in New York. To arrange an interview, contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected].