Andrey Shenin

• Occupation: Associate Professor
• Affiliation: L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
  
• Address: Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana

Sergey Shenin

• Occupation: Professor
• Affiliation: Saratov State University. N.G. Chernyshevsky
  
• Address: Russian Federation, Saratov

The article is devoted to the study of the process of discussing the Afghanistan strategy by American politicians and experts from the point of view of the possibility to achieve a political consensus in the U.S. In the context of the Afghan contemporary developments the author makes comparative analysis of the attitudes of the most influential interest groups within the American establishment – neoliberal, realist and conservative ones.It is stressed in the article that each of these groups has its own vision on resolving the issue: the neoliberals believe that the U.S. should focus on the support of liberal-democratic reforms in Afghanistan, realists insist on the “afghanization” of the war, conservatives think that it is necessary to increase the U.S. troops in the country. On the other hand, the groups have much in common – they are criticizing the Obama administration’s “Afghan legacy”, insist on strengthening the legitimate Government in Kabul and increase pressure on Pakistan to minimize its support to the Taliban. It is concluded that since all of these points in many respects meet the provisions of Trump’s Afghanistan strategy, it should be expected that the Administration and Congress can reach a consensus on the problem very soon.