This paper explores and analyses different possibilities of a political settlement in Afghanistan. It particularly assesses the prospects of four different forms of political settlement: (i) inclusion of insurgents in the elections; (ii) decentralization of power; (iii) power sharing, and (iv) the interim government.

Generally, once the parties to the conflict agree on a negotiated settlement of the conflict, there is a need for sorting out a political mechanism for the reorganization of politics and power.