Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 07/2010

The Key To Success in Afghanistan: A Modern Silk Road Strategy

Andrew C. Kuchina, S. Frederick Starr

May 2010

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Abstract

One of the most promising ways forward for the U.S. and NATO in Afgha-nistan is to focus on removing the impediments to continental transport and trade across Afghanistan‘s territory. Many existing international initiatives from the Mediterranean to the Indian sub-continent and Southeast Asia are already bringing parts of this network into being. Absent is the overall priori-tization, coordination, and risk management that will enable Afghanistan to emerge as a natural hub and transit point for roads, railroads, pipelines, and electric lines. America and its coalition partners can provide these missing ingredients.