Special report: Afghanistan 13 years on

Special report on Afghanistan's uncertain future and the implications for Pakistan after the withdrawal of US forces

The United States and its allies have finally wrapped up their long, deadly and costly mission in Afghanistan. While a debate is ongoing on how successful this mission was, the withdrawal of the US-led foreign forces will have far-reaching implications for Pakistan.







On December 28, as the Nato flag was lowered in Kabul, US President Barack Obama announced in Washington DC that the “longest war in American history is coming to a responsible conclusion”.





The United States and its allies have finally wrapped up their long, deadly and costly mission in Afghanistan. While a debate is ongoing on how successful this mission was, the withdrawal of the US-led foreign forces will have far-reaching implications for Pakistan.





Barricades, barbed wire and security checks greet you when you enter the federal capital. There was a time when you could walk about freely in the Diplomatic Enclave, which houses foreign diplomatic missions. So much so that public transport buses drove past the foreign missions, including the US Embassy.