Afghanistan Analysts Network – English

Month: January 2010

Are We Afghanistan-Driven in London?

Thomas Ruttig •

While the 70 or so delegations to the London conference are already sitting in Lancaster House, here some first thought about what is being discussed and what not. No claim to be exhaustive here. Let me start with the German discussion because it points to one of the core problems. What mainly is looked at […]

International Engagement Read more

25-27 January 2010, Prague: conference “Provincial Reconstruction Teams – What’s Next?”

AAN • admin •

Martine van Bijlert will be on one of the panels during the three-day international conference in Prague on “Provincial Reconstruction Teams – What’s Next? Challenges of Reconstruction in Afghanistan”. She will be speaking as part of the panel on “Cooperation with Afghan Local and National Leadership: Engaging the local population and developing mutual trust with […]

Events Read more

Governance in Afghanistan in Regional Perspective

Dr Christian Wagner •

In discussions about governance and reforms in Afghanistan, the regional dimension – and in particular Afghanistan’s relative position in comparison with its neighbouring countries – is often neglected. In this paper Dr. Christian Wagner, head of the Asia Research group at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Berlin), compares Afghanistan to other South […]

Special Reports Read more

21 January 2010: New Publication “Governance in Afghanistan in Regional Perspective”

AAN • admin •

In discussions about governance and reforms in Afghanistan, the regional dimension – and in particular Afghanistan’s relative position in comparison with its neighbouring countries – is often neglected. In this paper Dr. Christian Wagner, head of the Asia Research group at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Berlin), compares Afghanistan to other South […]

Events Read more

Between Frustration and Bakhshishs

Thomas Ruttig •

Another attempt to make sense of the Wolesi Jirga vote of saturday 16 January which confirmed seven of candidates of President Karzai’s second list and rejected another ten. What at the first glance looks like another defeat for Hamed Karzai, actually brings the Afghan President further ahead. Bit for bit, in his characteristic tactics, he […]

Political Landscape Read more

Dealing with brutal Afghan warlords is a mistake

Candace Rondeaux •

With this op-ed by NICK GRONO and CANDACE RONDEAUX* originally published in the Boston Globe we continue our discussion of the warlord issue in Afghanistan. As Washington rolls out its latest troop surge in Afghanistan, all eyes are on the violent south and east of the country to see whether the additional military muscle will […]

War and Peace Read more

The Cabinet vote: Fourteen in, eleven to go

Martine van Bijlert •

The Parliament has voted for the second time. Seven out of seventeen ministers were approved this time. We have a Cabinet of fourteen now, still eleven to go (we’re still waiting to see who is going to be introduced as Minister of Energy and Water). And though the dust has not settled yet, a few […]

Political Landscape Read more

Caught between the Taliban and the Special Forces

Captain Cat Diaries •

It is an all too familiar story, but beautifully told. How elders seek out foreign strangers, hoping to find solace from the Special Forces’ search operations. Leaving a population not feeling very protected, despite all the recent population-centric military rhetoric. An excerpt from ‘Captain Cats Diaries’. Am I taking crazy pills? How difficult is it […]

War and Peace Read more

AAN Myth Busters (II): Taleban = Pashtuns?

Thomas Ruttig •

The Afghan government’s draft strategy for reconciliation with the Taleban and other insurgents to be published soon is heating up the discussion about talks to ‘moderate’ Taleban amongst Western politicians. While this discussion is useful, it is necessary to look at its background a bit more closely. German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a rising […]

Political Landscape Read more

So where are we with the 2010 elections?

Martine van Bijlert •

Despite what logic and reason tell us, all indications are still that the IEC is getting ready for a parliamentary election in May 2010. The date was announced on 2 January, the electoral calendar was presented on 7 January and the government’s intention to press ahead was confirmed in a 12 January press release from […]

Political Landscape Read more

On Kunar’s Salafi Insurgents

Thomas Ruttig •

Usually one needs two sources at least, but this one I find too interesting: A few days ago, on 9 January, the Taleban website Shahamat (which means ‘bravery’) reported that one of the smaller insurgent groups – the Salafi from Kunar – has pledged allegiance to Mulla Muhammad Omar. The Taleban gave its name as Jama’at […]

War and Peace Read more

A GoA Reconciliation Policy in the Making

Thomas Ruttig •

The government of Afghanistan (GoA) has announced that it is working on its own reconciliation strategy with its armed opponents. This has been confirmed over the last few days both by Vice President Muhammad Karim Khalili and by the presidential spokesman Wahid Omar. Also, various documents seem to be under discussion: a draft policy document by […]

Political Landscape Read more

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