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Seven years after the U.S. invasion, Afghanistan’s security situation is as treacherous as ever. Resurgent Taliban groups now challenge coalition forces in the southern and eastern portions of the country; al Qaeda and associated movements have established strongholds in the Pakistani border regions. Afghan parliamentary and presidential elections--scheduled for 2009--lend new urgency to confronting these challenges.

At last week’s NATO summit in Bucharest, alliance leaders addressed some members’ flagging support in the face of heightened conflict. Yet while increased allied commitments of men and materiel will contribute to greater security, expanded support for one of Afghanistan’s most successful institutions--the Afghan National Army--would promote long-term stability in Afghanistan to an even greater degree.

U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-D-Conn.) will speak at AEI on Friday, April 11, on the prospects for achieving security and political progress in Afghanistan. Following the address, Danielle Pletka will moderate a panel discussion, featuring Thomas Donnelly and Frederick Kagan, on the challenge of creating a stable, independent, and strong Afghanistan.