US policy on Afghanistan during the Trump era from a neoclassical realist perspective

This study offers a neoclassical realist analysis of U.S. policy in Afghanistan the presidency of Donald Trump. It covers U.S.-Afghan relations from before the Soviet invasion and democratic rule in Afghanistan, through the invasion and collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise of the Taliban, and the post-9/11 period. Due to the conflicting national interests of the United States and the challenges posed by its foreign policy in the region, the chances of U.S. success in Afghanistan are limited by the political situation in the region. The study shows that 20 years of U.S. policy in Afghanistan has failed to establish sustainable peace and a reliable military and political presence in the country. Although it was not the only participant in the mission in Afghanistan, the study finds that political weaknesses and the lack of a clear strategy continue to plague the Afghan government in suppressing insurgents. Using a qualitative research methodology of case analysis and process tracing, this study examines U.S. foreign policy in Afghanistan in the era of Donald Trump through the lens of neoclassical realism. It concludes that instead of an aggressive foreign policy in Afghanistan, the U.S. is pursuing a policy of directly supporting the Afghan National Defense Forces in their fight against insurgents.