Is the US–Afghan Strategic Partnership in Doldrums?

ISAS Brief No. 231

5 Pages Posted: 24 Sep 2012

See all articles by Shanthie D'Souza

Shanthie D'Souza

Murdoch University; Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS)

Date Written: March 23, 2012

Abstract

As the search for the Afghan ‘end game’ has intensified in the United States, a Strategic Partnership Deal (SPD) entailing a limited but long-term presence of US forces in Afghanistan is seen as a crucial cornerstone to prevent the return of Afghanistan to the pre-9/11 days. A series of incidents such as the burning of the copy of the Holy Quran and the massacre of civilians at the hands of an American sergeant has yet again thrown the US ‘exit strategy’ into disarray. In the ensuing negotiations over the contentious conditionalities, the recent incidents have worked into tilting the balance in favour of President Hamid Karzai, a shift that could have telling effects on just not on the future US-Afghan relationship but also for the overall prospects of peace and stability in the war-torn country.

Keywords: United States, Strategic Partnership Deal (SPD), exit strategy, bases, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, night raids, detention, civilian casualties

Suggested Citation

D'Souza, Shanthie, Is the US–Afghan Strategic Partnership in Doldrums? (March 23, 2012). ISAS Brief No. 231, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2151078 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2151078

Shanthie D'Souza (Contact Author)

Murdoch University ( email )

Murdoch, WA 6150
Australia

Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) ( email )

29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace
#08-06 (Block B)
Singapore, 119620
Singapore
65-98549221 (Phone)

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