Publication

This paper includes the first comprehensive survey of EU troop numbers in Afghanistan. The author argues that EU countries must acknowledge there can be no military solution to end the insurgency and launch a new strategy for Afghanistan. Most importantly, the EU and the US should encourage the next Afghan government to negotiate with insurgent leaders willing to lay down arms and integrate the political process. While more troops continue to be needed, the author acknowledges, Europe's emphasis must be on sending more civilian experts.