For the last eight years the United States has been engaged in Afghanistan. This commitment has had a profound impact on domestic and international politics and has altered the situation in much of Central Asia and the Middle East. U.S. efforts in Afghanistan since 2001 have focused primarily on driving out al-Qaeda and establishing a stable, centralized government to replace the Taliban regime. For much of the past decade, American focus has shifted away from Afghanistan to our engagement in Iraq. However, recent events in the region, including the volatility of neighboring Pakistan and Iran, have lead to a renewed interest in Afghanistan. A comprehensive and critical evaluation of U.S. policy must be made as an American and international military surge takes place. This report is a critical evaluation of current U.S. involvement in Afghanistan with concrete, actionable policy recommendations to secure, stabilize and sustain the Afghan state and ensure the security of American interests. A refocused effort to achieve security throughout the country, coupled with a renewed emphasis on the transfer of responsibility to the Afghan people and the Afghan government, are the crux of our recommendations to the State Department. Issues of accountability and corruption, within the Afghan state as well as within the foreign and international efforts assisting it, along with cooperation and coordination between Afghan, regional, international and U.S. forces are equally important and must be addressed. These issues are discussed within the specific frameworks of governance, infrastructure development, economy, civil society, and the role of regional actors and international influences, providing specific policy recommendations for the United States within each. At this critical juncture of our efforts in Afghanistan, it is imperative that we reevaluate, reform and effectively implement new policies to achieve lasting security and prosperity for Afghanistan, the Central Asia region and the United States of America.