Descent into Chaos | A Discussion with Ahmed Rashid

The growing instability and resurgence of Islamic extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan pose a great threat to U.S. interests and global security. In his new book, Ahmed Rashid examines the rising insurgency, booming opium trade, and weak governance in Afghanistan, concluding that U.S. strategy in the region has been a complete failure. Instead of providing adequate resources and security to rebuild Afghanistan, the U.S. has focused most of its efforts in Iraq. Drawing on his newly published book, Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, Ahmed Rashid and panelists  discussed U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

• Ahmed Rashid, author of Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, and award-winning jounalist
• Frederick D. Barton, Discussant, Senior Advisor and Co-Director, Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project, CSIS
• J Alexander Thier, Moderator, Senior Rule of Law Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace