Abstract
Present day global village is marked by what we call the challenges of strategic power game,
oil politics, economic adventurism, military occupations and invasions in the name of ‘self-
defence’. The apparent contours of US military engagement policy was to defeat, disrupt
and dismantle Al-Qaeda. The operational mode of policy remained in a constant state of
flux, encircling not only Al-Qaeda but also Taliban in its ambit. Then Obama strategy
emphasized on reinvigoration of military engagement but simultaneously encouraged
reconciliation and talks with the Taliban. This paper aims to analyze the nature of the US
engagement with consequent transition of security responsibility to Afghan National
Security Forces (ANSF). Related questions arise that is the US strategy of military operations
worked and accomplished in Afghanistan? whether Afghan National Army and Afghan
National Police are capable to tackle this responsibility? What is prevailing security
situation and what can be likely situation on the eve of NATO Drawdown? Moreover, the
U.S decision to bring about a drawdown of its forces from Afghanistan in 2016-17 also
implies succumbing to the demand of the Taliban for a complete withdrawal of foreign
forces half-way. Success of a solution to the Afghan problem depends upon the support of
the majority if consensus of all Afghan factions is not easily achieved. But to make that
understanding concrete, Afghans will also have to make sure that their territory is not used
by regional players against each other.
