Divisions Within Afghanistan’s Government Reach New Crisis Point

Impeachment of seven Afghan cabinet ministers demonstrates the fragility of Afghanistan’s new democratic institutions. President Ashraf Ghani confronts public criticism, and lawmakers accuse each other of abusing power and accomplishing little. Afghanistan’s ethnic divisions complicate the debate over governance. This instability follows more than a decade of US involvement in the country, and 10,000 American troops are still stationed there. Tensions are emerging amid fears that the United States may no longer prioritize stability in the Middle East. Uncertainty permeates Kabul over fear that the next US president may withdraw military and economic support, which could prompt extremists to try and take control. The Afghan government and other leaders struggle to develop a unified vision – and can’t be sure whether such tensions are part of a maturing democracy or signal greater trouble. – YaleGlobal