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Holding Afghanistan in the Light

We call for the U.S. government to immediately welcome Afghans who are fleeing the country. We also call on our government acknowledge the harm it has caused, and use any remaining diplomatic leverage it may have to support multilateral violence-reduction efforts.

Lake at Kajaki in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Attribution
Afghanistan Matters / Gareth of England

Frequently Asked Questions

FCNL has provided our responses to commonly raised questions regarding military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Two men in field.
Attribution
Rumi Consultancy / World Bank

Oppose Militarized Counterterrorism in Afghanistan

The idea that it is necessary to maintain residual forces in Afghanistan to conduct counterterrorism operations is based on the flawed premise that “terrorism” must be fought and can be defeated militarily.

Teacher in front of class of children.
Attribution
UN / Eskinder Debebe

Support Long-term Afghan-led Solutions

Afghanistan still depends upon foreign assistance for its survival. Even Taliban leadership has acknowledged that Afghanistan will require international development aid moving forward.

Interestingly, it was not the withdrawal of Soviet troops but the cessation of Soviet aid that led to the dissolution of then-President Mohammed Najibullah’s regime.1