After a grueling and drawn-out election, Ashraf Ghani emerged as the country’s new president and will share power with his chief rival, Abdullah Abdullah, who will assume a prime minister-type position over the war-torn country.
But the two men have their work cut out for them as they struggle with issues like a worsening economy, ethnic strife and fighting a stiff Taliban insurgency. The Taliban has just had one of its most successful fighting seasons since the beginning of the war.
There has also been rising unemployment and a halt to economic growth, meaning the country is in dire need of assistance from other countries and international organizations.
In addition, many in the country considered the election a fraud and are refusing to accept the results, despite an international audit that cost many millions. Warlords backing certain candidates are also threatening to launch a parallel government, threatening a possible civil war.
On the plus side, Ghani and Abdullah are likely to get along better with the United States than former President Hamid Karzai.
Experts believe the next few months will be crucial in determining whether the two new allied leaders will be able to forge positive progress in restoring stability to the struggling nation.
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