The Arkin Group

TAG’s President Jack Devine and Regional Director Whitney Kassel draw upon their extensive experience working on Afghanistan issues to examine the lessons of the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan in the late 1980s and argue that these lessons remain relevant today. In this compelling article, Mr. Devine and Ms. Kassel note that the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan in 2014 is likely to be followed by a civil war between a predominantly non-Pashtun security apparatus and Pakistan-backed Taliban forces. According to Mr. Devine and Ms. Kassel, we need to confront this reality while considering the lessons from the late 1980s. They argue that we have the chance to avoid the same mistakes of the past and for the sake of our security should provide continued economic and military support to the leadership in Kabul, obtain the support of Pakistan, and maintain a robust covert action and intelligence presence in the region.

You can read the full text of Mr. Devine and Ms. Kassel’s article here:

World Policy Journal: Fall 2013, “Afghanistan: Withdrawal Lessons”

You can also find an interactive timeline based on this article here.

Interactive Timeline, World Policy Journal: Fall 2013, “Afghanistan: Withdrawal Lessons”

In a recent article for Breaking Energy, TAG’s President Jack Devine and Regional Director Whitney Kassel assess the oil opportunities in South Sudan and argue that there is still significant risk to American companies considering investment in the oil industry there. Mr. Devine and Ms. Kassel note that despite the oil wealth in Sudan and a negotiated agreement between the governments of Sudan and South Sudan that allowed for the resumption of oil exports in April 2013, American companies should tread carefully when considering entering this market, currently dominated by Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian firms.

You can read the full text of Mr. Devine and Ms. Kassel’s article here:

Breaking Energy: September 19, 2013, “Assessing Oil Opportunities in South Sudan”

TAG’s President Jack Devine and Latin America expert Amanda Mattingly answered questions about arms smuggling through the Panama Canal for a recent issue of the Inter-American Dialogue’s daily Latin America Advisor. Mr. Devine and Ms. Mattingly responded that the interception of a North Korean vessel that had come from Cuba and smuggling arms was “a brazen move” but unusual. Still, they argued that given the strategic importance of the canal to the Western Hemisphere, it should be a regional priority to support monitoring efforts.

You can read the full text of Mr. Devine and Ms. Mattingly’s joint response here:

Latin America Advisor: July 2013, “Arms Smuggling in the Region”