The crucial role played by American warplanes in Afghanistan also raises questions about the prospects for the fight against the Taliban in the future.

In a testimony before the House Committee on Armed Services, Max Boot explains that the signing of a U.S.-Afghan Security Partnership Accord in April and the Chicago Summit Declaration in May alleviated some of the uncertainty about the post-2014 period—but only some. The nature and extent of that commitment remain opaque, and that in turn feeds anxiety in Afghanistan, contributes to capital flight, buoys the confidence of our enemies, and leads many Afghans to sit on the fence for fear of joining the losing side.

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon discusses concerns by Afghan entrepreneurs over the future of their economy as the United States draws down its troops and military presence from Afghanistan.

As the United States prepares to exit Afghanistan, it is focusing too much on security, overlooking the political elements of the transition, write two former senior U.S. officials.

The year 2014 promises to be a defining one for Afghanistan. In this Policy Innovation Memorandum, Max Boot recommends seven specific steps the United States can take to secure the country's future and prevent the reemergence of Taliban rule.

The U.S. drone attack that killed an al-Qaeda leader has further frayed ties and is feeding Pakistani anger, humiliation, and frustration over U.S. aims, says CFR's Daniel Markey.

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon argues that in the wake of recent poisonings in Afghan schools, safety in girls' education is a priority for Afghanistan's future.

Micah Zenko and Emma Welch map out the launch pads for Obama's secret wars.

The Chicago summit attempted to map a new NATO agenda, but instability in Afghanistan and the European fiscal crisis still cloud the alliance's path, says CFR's Charles Kupchan.

President Obama and President Karzai of Afghanistan gave these joint remarks on May 20, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois.

NATO has been the foundation of transatlantic security for more than sixty years, but despite its longevity, critics question whether the alliance can stay relevant in the face of emerging threats, limited funding, and debates over its mission.

Transforming Afghanistan's opium farming from heroin to morphine production would thwart the Taliban and stabilize the economy, writes Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York.

The April 2012 update of the U.S. Department of Defense's "Report on Progress toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan" covers the period from October 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

President Obama's speech in Afghanistan lacked a strong rationale for continuing a substantial U.S. commitment beyond 2014, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.

President Obama and President Karzai signed the "Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America" on May 1, 2012.

President Obama gave these remarks to the troops in Afghanistan at Baghram Air Base on May 1, 2012.

President Obama and Afghan president Karzai gave these remarks at the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement on May 1, 2012 in Afghanistan.

President Obama gave these remarks on May 1, 2012 from the Baghram Air Base in Afghanistan.

Blake Hounshell writes that despite Romney's denunciations of Obama's Afghanistan strategy, he would pursue the same course of action. The U.S.-Afghanistan policy will not change with the election.

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney finds himself in a policy conundrum on Afghanistan issues: His views are at times identical to Obama's, and at other times contradictory, write the editors of Bloomberg View.