The U.S. Needs Idealogical Partners in the Middle East and Asia

The U.S. needs relationships which are more than mere military, strategic or trade partnerships- like the one it has with Afghanistan.

12 May 2012, Herat, Afghanistan : From right Parisa (16), Marzia (18), Maria (16) and Muzhgam (17) study in the library at the Female Experimental High School in Herat. The school is benefitting from the Education Quality Improvement Program (EQUIP)whose objective is to increase access to quality basic education, especially for girls. School grants and teacher training programs are strengthened by support from communities and private providers. Photo: Graham Crouch / World Bank

As the May deadline to remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan under a deal negotiated by the Trump Administration with the Taliban approaches, a growing consensus is forming in strong opposition to the move.

After 20 years of reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, is the time really right for U.S. troops to leave?

Afghanistan is not a “forever war”. American troops are welcomed by the people of Afghanistan. U.S. officials have been working in close partnership with Afghanistan’s democratically-elected government and its national security force for years. U.S. counter-terrorism measures in the nation are effective, and appreciated by Afghan officials.

Women in Afghanistan have made tremendous strides with regards to equal rights since the Taliban fell in 2001.

Female literacy has more than doubled. 3.5 million Afghan girls are currently enrolled in school. One-third of university students are women. 28% of Afghanistan’s legislature and 21% of its workforce are comprised of women. 6,000 women are serving in Afghanistan’s national security force.