NCJ Number
189491
Journal
The Heritage Foundation Backgrounder Issue: 1383 Dated: July 12, 2000 Pages: 1-19
Date Published
July 2000
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This document addresses the need for the United States (U.S.) government to address national security and foreign policy problems in Afghanistan.
Abstract
The U.S. government scored one of its biggest Cold War victories by helping the Afghan resistance to defeat the Soviet Army. However, soon after Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan, the U.S. withdrew from active involvement in Afghan affairs. The U.S. needs to develop a long-term policy for building a stable and peaceful Afghanistan that will no longer serve as a safe haven for international terrorists, drug smugglers, and Islamic revolutionaries. The radical Taliban movement now dominates Afghanistan politically and militarily. It also provides support to a wide spectrum of radical Islamic groups, including Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network. The U.S. needs to develop a broad regional strategy to uproot the Taliban regime that protects and sustains bin Laden. Among the other recommendations are to: maximize international pressure on the Taliban, including United Nations sanctions; pressure Pakistan to end its support; and provide humanitarian aid to non-Taliban areas of Afghanistan. Also, the U.S. should forge a regional coalition to support anti-Taliban opposition and support an Afghan peace settlement. A special envoy for Afghanistan should be appointed to raise the priority within the US government and coordinate U.S. policy with other governments. Taliban should be designated as a terrorist organization to set the stage for declaring Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism if it continues to support the Taliban. Military, diplomatic, and economic support should be provided to the anti-Taliban opposition. 1 table and 53 notes.