AISS released the first of a series of papers dedicated to examining the trends in radicalization across the various sectors throughout Afghanistan. This paper is a comprehensive examination of the trends in student radicalization across university campuses in Afghanistan. Arguing that trends differ across campuses, the report advances three noteworthy findings.

First, most university students are more concerned over prospects of post-graduation follow-on careers than ideological ambition. Second, while students and lecturers largely denounce radical views and violence, a relatively more aggressive response to both the policies of the Afghan government and the armed international intervention exhibited by students from universities in Kabul, Qandahar and Nangarhar suggests differentiated patterns across campuses with these campuses suggestive of a stronger tendency toward radicalized views. Finally, as an institution, the university does not play a strong role in the radicalization of its students. Rather, a charged political climate and the readily available opportunity to mobilize quickly enable students to stand in protest rather easily. Moreover, it is this easy access to mobilize in protest that seems to attract external groups and their alternative intentions and motives. The report concludes with policy recommendations for insulating university campuses from such influences as well as steps toward improving student chances for a most positive academic experience.