A policy memo from Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, calls for the United States to support the National Resistance Front (NRF) of Afghanistan.
The memo, titled “The U.S. Should Support the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan,” underscores the strategic and moral imperatives for America to engage with the NRF, led by Ahmad Massoud.
The NRF, which has continued its fight against the Taliban from its base in the Panjshir Valley, represents a non-extremist alternative to the Taliban’s rule. Coffey argues that despite the lack of U.S. and international support, the NRF remains a key player in countering the resurgence of terrorism in Afghanistan, which has seen the Taliban allow groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS-K to flourish.
Coffey’s memo suggests that the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and its subsequent disengagement from the region have left the U.S. with limited options. He proposes a set of recommendations aimed at reversing this trend, including establishing formal contact with the NRF leadership, providing both lethal and non-lethal aid, and leveraging Afghanistan’s frozen central bank assets to support the NRF.
The memo also highlights the geopolitical significance of Afghanistan, positioned at a strategic crossroads in the Eurasian landmass, and warns that neglecting the region could have dire consequences for U.S. national security. Coffey suggests that by supporting the NRF, the U.S. could bolster its counterterrorism efforts, restore its standing in the region, and protect its long-term geopolitical interests.
As the Taliban struggles with governance and internal divisions, Coffey sees an opportunity for the U.S. to recalibrate its policy and support an inclusive, democratic alternative in Afghanistan through the NRF.
His memo advocates for immediate action, warning that further delay could embolden the Taliban and exacerbate the humanitarian and security crises already unfolding in the country.
