Afghans across the country are exhausted by decades of continuous violence and there is a near-universal desire for peace. While the end of the insurgency brought a reduction in violence, Afghanistan still confronts grave security challenges, including the Islamic State – Khorasan Province and other terrorist groups active in the country, factionalism within the Taliban, the potential for armed resistance to the Taliban government, organized criminal networks, and thousands of former Afghan army and police forces, militias and Taliban foot soldiers who must peacefully reintegrate into society. Further, Taliban elements and other actors have carried out extrajudicial killings, including of former government officials and human rights defenders.
This collection of papers explores interrelated security issues including violence reduction, the demobilization and reintegration of fighters, emerging risks, and the future of the Afghan security sector.
The success of any peace agreement will depend in large part on whether Taliban commanders and fighters can assume new roles in Afghan politics, the security forces, or civilian life. This report explores that question.
