Lessons from Afghanistan Reconstruction

The Brookings Institution hosted an event to examine U.S. stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and identify lessons and recommendations for future efforts. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko delivered the keynote remarks, presenting the findings of his office’s latest report, followed by a panel discussion with Afghanistan reconstruction experts. The report found that government efforts to stabilize insecure and contested areas in Afghanistan mostly failed. The report also found that the U.S. spent too much money, too quickly in areas that were unprepared to absorb it and without sufficient knowledge of the local institutions, sociopolitical dynamics and government structures. close