Abstract
The situation of Afghanistan has been evolving around insecurity after the drawdown of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Corruption, weak governmental institutions, interference of foreign states and non-state actors and instability in Afghanistan is a serious challenge to Afghan National Army (ANA). As ANA had demanded to hold the lead of security operations by their own; thus, with the withdrawal of NATO and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) the security responsibilities are handed to ANA. However, pervious and new challenges will test the capability of ANA. Beside incompetency, Afghan army has a history of dependency on International support. Hence, with the withdrawal of assisting forces; the challenges will turn more complex. The aim of this research is to analyze the challenges to Afghanistan especially to ANA after the withdrawal of NATO and counter strategies to these challenges and its implication in the future. This study is based on qualitative research method and data is analyzed through content analysis in detail, under the light of theory of Realism and Neo-realism. This study finds that political, economic and social instability has caused many serious issues not only to Afghan nation but as well to the institution of ANA. Terrorism has got more roots with emergence of ISIS in Afghanistan. The fall of Kunduz and strategic locations of Helmand province to Taliban are considered consequences of the incapabilities of ANA. The years after 2014 have not shown any progressive results in countering these challenges, though several strategies and initiatives have been taken to resolve the proposed challenges.