Here Are 5 Reasons Why Afghanistan Is A Success Story
In an op-ed for Forbes, Loren Thompson, a contributor who focuses on national security, offers a counterpoint to the popular...
By James Clark | Published May 11, 2015 3:46 PM
In an op-ed for Forbes, Loren Thompson, a contributor who focuses on national security, offers a counterpoint to the popular narrative on Afghanistan, explaining why he thinks the war in Afghanistan is a success story, not a failure. Thompson cites improvements in the performance of Afghan security forces, changes in national government, significant gains in Afghanistan's economy, productive collaboration with Pakistan, and optimistic public opinion among Afghans, as reasons why the mission in Afghanistan has been successful.
"Despite numerous setbacks, the Bush and Obama administrations have stuck with the task of fashioning an inclusive democracy in Afghanistan that would no longer afford terrorists a safe haven. And in spite of a drumbeat of negative media coverage — including recent reports that high casualty rates among Afghan security forces are unsustainable — that steadfastness seems to be paying off. There are numerous signs that the U.S. and its 40-odd coalition partners have succeeded in making Afghanistan a more peaceful, progressive place. "
James Clark
James Clark is the Deputy Editor of Task & Purpose and has been with the publication since 2015. He is an Afghanistan War veteran and served in the Marine Corps as a combat correspondent. James is responsible for overseeing the daily news coverage of the editorial team, assigning stories, approving pitches, editing, and ensuring stories published on the site meet Task & Purpose's editorial standards and the audience's needs. Contact the author here.