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Overview
Comprehensive stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan
are not possible given the current fragmentation of responsibilities,
narrow lines of authorities, and archaic funding mechanisms.
Afghans are supportive of U.S. and international efforts, and there
are occasional signs of progress, but the insurgent threat grows as
U.S. military and civilian agencies and the international community
struggle to bring stability to this volatile region. Integrated security,
stabilization, and reconstruction activities must be implemented
quickly and efficiently if failure is to be averted. Much more than a
course correction is needed to provide tangible benefits to the population,
develop effective leadership capacity in the government, and
invest wisely in reconstruction that leads to sustainable economic
growth. A proactive, comprehensive reconstruction and stabilization
plan for Afghanistan is crucial to counter the regional terrorist
insurgency, much as the Marshall Plan was necessary to combat
the communist threat from the Soviet Union.1 This paper examines
the health sector as a microcosm of the larger problems facing the
United States and its allies in efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.
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