In summary, the stability and democracy of Afghanistan remain elusive due to ongoing violence by the Taliban and other political actors, executive control over government appointments, and international engagement focused solely on elections. However, a more flexible and lower-cost US engagement could still produce positive results if incorporated into any political settlement. The system of governance must include elections, and the Afghan people have become accustomed to participating in the democratic process. Establishing local structures that facilitate stronger connections between citizens and their representatives will provide legitimacy and stability to the political process. Allowing communities to decide how to select local leaders and conduct local elections could allow for more cooperation between formal and informal systems of governance, making elections more attractive to Taliban leaders.
