New Group Advocates For Afghan Civil Society

A man sells balloons on the streets of Kabul

A new U.S.-based Afghan advocacy group is hoping to improve Afghanistan's future by expanding the role of civil society in policy making.

The Afghan Alliance in Support of the Afghan People (ASAP) has a roster of notable U.S. civil-society, government, and business leaders supporting its mission to "preserve and protect the gains of the Afghan people."

They include former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker, and Feminist Majority Foundation President Eleanor Smeal.

The group says it wants to see civil society leaders play a bigger part in Afghanistan's political and economic development.


Interview: Afghan Civil Society Group Aims To Protect Country’s Gains

The United States and its NATO partners plan to withdraw combat forces by the end of 2014, but some U.S. troops might continue in an advisory role.

With additional reporting by "The Washington Post"