The Alliance in Support of the Afghan People (ASAP)

The Alliance in Support of the Afghan People (ASAP) is a coalition dedicated to advancing efforts to support a stable and sustainable Afghanistan that never again becomes a sanctuary for terrorism. We support Afghan aspirations for peace, security, political and economic development, social justice, and a self-reliant Afghanistan integrated in the international political and economic community.

Since 2001, the Afghan people with international support have made progress towards building a new society that is more prosperous and democratic, where women and men are more educated and in better health, and where Afghans are the ones fighting to keep their country secure and not a source of terrorist attacks. This is ultimately the progress that will make the United States and its allies and partners more secure from threats originating in the region.

Continued support for the Afghan people will allow them to continue to make progress towards an Afghanistan that is a place of hope and growth, not violence and despair.

ASAP supports:

Respect for the political and social rights of women and youth and other vulnerable groups.

A peace process that addresses the causes of conflicts, fully involves all Afghans, and reinforces positive changes since 2001.

Credible elections that produce a result acceptable to the Afghan people.

Continued US and international assistance that empowers the new generation of Afghan men and women and makes assistance more accountable and effective, through:

Transparency

Adherence to transparency and anti-corruption commitments by both the Afghan Government and International donors;

Investment

Lean investment directly to Afghan institutions;

Reforms

Acceleration of political and economic reforms;

Revenues

Efforts to increase Afghan revenues to make Afghanistan self-supporting by 2030;

Security

Security partnership with Afghan forces in their fight on the frontlines of terrorism.

ASAP IN THE MEDIA

Afghanistan: Need for thinking beyond bumper stickers

Afghanistan has a war, a peace negotiation and a presidential election campaign ongoing while the United States signals that it may, or may not, reduce its military presence there.

Will the Trump Administration Abandon Afghan Women?

U.S. negotiators won’t bring stability to Afghanistan if they ignore women’s rights.

Bush Ignored History Going Into Afghanistan. Trump Is Oblivious Pulling Out.

Almost nobody wants the Taliban back in power—except the Taliban. And the Trump administration is far too anxious to exit. Peace talks must include the current Afghan government.

Don’t Just Cut and Run From Afghanistan

The Trump administration’s haste to leave Afghanistan will make the country less stable and render the U.S. more vulnerable to the threats we have paid dearly to prevent over the last 17 years.

Denying women a seat at Taliban talks is a huge mistake

Should the U.S. Pull Out of Afghanistan?

An immediate United States and NATO pullout from Afghanistan will not end the war there.

A hasty US withdrawal from Afghanistan will throw a lifeline to global violent extremism.

“Thank you for the Taliban.” This was said to me wryly, a few years ago by a Somali civil society leader when I mentioned I was a native of Afghanistan.

Angelina Jolie: Why Women Are the Key to Lasting Peace in Afghanistan

When the Taliban seized power in 1996, it waged a war against Afghan women. Girls’ education was banned. Women were confined to the home and denied the right to work.

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