Simply put, the U.S. cannot solve the Afghan problem … no matter how brave and determined our troops are. . (14) In a January 2017 article in the Wall Street Journal, Hamid Karzai, former President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan from 2004 to 2014, stated, The fact is that the U.S. presence in Afghanistan has not brought security to us. It has caused more extremism. . (15) There has never been a full debate in Congress on whether to continue the United States engagement in Afghanistan. 2. Prohibition on availability of funds for activities in Afghanistan (a) In general No funds may be made available for activities in Afghanistan after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Exceptions The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to— (1) operations of the United States Embassy in Afghanistan