Dr. Najam at Congressional Panel on Afghanistan

Prof. Adil Najam, Director of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future at Boston Univeristy, spoke at a special Congressional Forum on the Future of Afghanistan.

As part of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ (CPC) "Seeking Global Security project", CPC Co-Chair Rep. Raul M. Grijalva called for a series of six forums, of which this was a part. The specific topic of this forum was "Afghanistan: A Road Map For Progress." The forum was held at the Rayburn House Office Building and attended by members of Congress and their staff. This non-partisan series features leading experts on Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Their informed testimony engages Members of Congress in discussions about foreign policy options that make sense in light of today’s global security challenges.

In addition to Prof. Adil Najam the other panelists who spoke at the forum included: Alexander Thier (Director of the Future of Afghanistan Project at the US Institute of Peace) and Reuben Brigety ( Director of the Sustainable Security Program at American Progress).

In his remarks, Prof. Najam highlighted the importance to taking a longer-range view of the challenges and developing strategies that would last across generations instead of short-term band-aid solutions. In his testimony, Prof. Adil Najam stressed that we need to take a development and human security approach to Afghanistan and its surrounding region.