Whither Goes Afghanistan?

August 24, 12:00am - 1:00pm
Mānoa Campus, John A. Burns Hall, Room 3012

Don Sheehan has been with the East-West Center since September 2015 as the U.S. Diplomat-in-Residence, with 28 years experience as both a U.S. army officer and a U.S. diplomat for the Department of State with multiple tours in Germany, Afghanistan, Belgium, Poland and Tunisia.

During his three years in Afghanistan, Don worked closely with the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. and NATO military commands, and multiple allies to help “train, advise, assist and equip” the Afghan National Security Forces. However, after 14 years funding Afghanistan, the United States sees no end in sight as it continues to pay more than $5 billion annually to support 387,000 Afghan soldiers, police and air force struggling to contain the Taliban, ISIS and other insurgents in the vast Afghan countryside.

As the U.S. presidential election looms, what lies ahead for Afghanistan’s international support? With ISIS emerging on top of a nasty, continuing insurgency, interference by outside governments, and a scared, discouraged populace facing massive corruption, populace brain drain and a divided government – what must the Afghan government do to get weary allies to continue their financial and international support for the country’s future? Don will give his personal, off-the record assessment of Afghanistan’s current status and future prospects, and whether Afghanistan’s government can continue to persuade the U.S. and allies to continue their financial and international support.


Event Sponsor
East-West Center, Mānoa Campus

More Information
(808) 944-7111, EWCInfo@EastWestCenter.org

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