Overview of 16 Years of Involvement in Afghanistan

PURPOSE:

• To examine the Office of Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction’s  (SIGAR) recent report detailing lessons learned from the United States involvement in Afghan reconstruction. 
• To discuss how to strengthen SIGAR’s presence in Afghanistan.

BACKGROUND:

• In 2014, SIGAR began compiling a report on the lessons learned from the United States’ experience in Afghanistan over the last 15 years. This included an extensive review of government documents, interviewing over 50 government leaders, and conducting fieldwork in Afghanistan.
• Despite thousands of lives lost and nearly a trillion dollars spent, Afghan forces continue to struggle to establish meaningful security.
• Given the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, SIGAR’s ability to provide oversight is unclear.