Afghanistan's insurgency and the viability of a political settlement

The international intervention in Afghanistan has contributed to entrenched state weakness and rising insecurity. Despite increased references to the need for reconciliation with the Taliban and a political solution to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, few specifics have been offered by academics or policymakers. Building on research into conflict resolution and an analysis of the composition and motivation of the insurgency, this article addresses this gap by asking whether conditions are currently "ripe" for a negotiated settlement, how "ripeness" may be achieved, and, once achieved, how a political settlement might best be pursued.