Afghanization

American  

[af-gan-uh-zey-shuhn, -guhn-] / ˌæf gæn əˈzeɪ ʃən, -gən- /

noun

1. a U.S. strategy during the war in Afghanistan of gradually returning political and military control to Afghan forces while withdrawing American troops.

2. a strategy similar to that used by the United States in Afghanistan, in which political and military control is transferred to local authorities.

   the Afghanization of Syria.

3. the assimilation of various ethnic groups in Afghanistan to Pashtun language and society.

4. the movement of a large number of Pashtun, the dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan, into areas of the country inhabited by other ethnic groups.

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Etymology

Origin of Afghanization

First recorded in 1945–50, referring to Soviet involvement in the region; 2005–10 Afghanization for def. 1; 1985–90 Afghanization for def. 3; Afghan ( def. ) + -ization ( def. )