On Thursday, May 23, 2019, the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) held a roundtable discussion on the US Strategy towards Afghanistan, in which government officials, experts, university academics, members of Civil Society, and diplomats participated.

Dr. Michael Rubin, member of American Enterprise Institute, Waheed Muzhda, Political Analyst and Commentator, and Humaira Rahbin, Women’s Rights Activist, were the speakers of the program, in addition to Ferdaw Kawish, the moderator of the program.

In the beginning of the program, Dr. Michael Rubin spoke about his article titled ‘Assessing #Trump Team’s #Afghanistan #Peace Plan’. This article examines the United States’ Strategy towards Afghanistan and the Afghan Peace Process. Dr. Rubin spoke about the three main reasons why Khalilzad’s strategy cannot work: “First, Khalilzad breaks no new ground but rather resurrects a deal which the Clinton administration struck with the Taliban in 1998, after al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Second, without any international agreement with regard to a definition for terrorism, the Taliban can argue that it upholds its side of the bargain while allowing terrorism to continue apace. Lastly, Khalilzad treats Afghanistan policy as if it were in a vacuum, ignoring the role Pakistan plays in sponsoring and sustaining the Taliban”.

The second speaker of the program, Mr. Waheed Muzhda, spoke about how the U.S-Taliban peace negotiations initiated. He also discussed issues negotiated between both side for a possible agreement between the Taliban and the U.S. He pointed out that the Taliban have a higher position than the U.S. in their negotiations with the U.S. Government.

The last speaker of the event, Ms. Humaira Rahbin, analyzed the article by Dr. Rubin, and pointed that the strategy undertaken by U.S. Envoy for Afghan Peace, Mr. Khalilzad in his negotiation with the Taliban has undermined the role of women and their rights. She continued to speak about protecting the achievements of the past 17 years after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The program was concluded with a Q&A and an open discussion between participants and the speakers of the program.