U.S. Strategy for Pakistan and Afghanistan

Pakistan and Afghanistan are both of great strategic importance to the United States and will continue to be significant national security priorities for the foreseeable future. From a U.S. perspective, they present several major security, diplomatic, and economic challenges. Both countries are critical to regional and international security and stability.This report reviews and assesses current U.S. policy in the region, treating the challenges in Pakistan and Afghanistan as connected but also distinct. The task force offers recommendations on how to adapt U.S. policy to most effectively address both the shortand long-term challenges the United States faces in South Asia.