Why U.S. Efforts to Promote the Rule of Law in Afghanistan Failed

Summary

Since 2001, the United States has expended vast resources attempting to promote the rule of law in Afghanistan. This effort failed for two reasons. First, U.S. efforts prioritized supporting the state legal system, despite its corruption and lack of legitimacy. Second, policymakers often overlooked nonstate tribal and religious justice systems. Successfully promoting the rule of law after conflict requires realistic expectations and deep understanding of a country’s legal culture, politics, and history.