Afghanistan Analysts Network – English

Month: May 2010

PEACE JIRGA BLOG 3: Preparing the Delegates

Kate Clark •

The long-anticipated and twice-delayed ‘consultative peace jirga’ is about to happen. Delegates from across Afghanistan have been arriving in Kabul and the press corps of the world is arriving to report on them. Journalists are here in such numbers that AAN is wondering if there will be more reporters than delegates. Diplomats are also excited […]

War and Peace Read more

German President’s Resignation (Not) Afghanistan-Linked

Thomas Ruttig •

More News from the German Front: In a surprise move, without precedence in German post-war history, head of state (Bundespräsident) Horst Köhler stepped down from his office with immediate effect today after noon. His step was triggered by remarks he made on the return of his first trip to Afghanistan (after six years in the […]

International Engagement Read more

News from the German Front: The West’s Afghan Policy ‘has failed’

Thomas Ruttig •

Five German institutes draw a condemning conclusion about the West’s policy in Afghanistan +++ Another institute alleges that the German government hides the larger portion of its Afghan military mission’s cost +++ Germany’s Minister of Defence does not know what happened to Afghans taken into custody and handed over to Afghan authorities +++ The ‘German […]

International Engagement Read more

Afghan Journalists Push into Parliament

Kate Clark •

With the release of the names of candidates for the parliamentary elections, AAN has been excitedly pouring over the candidates’ list. The former journalists among us – myself and Thomas – were pleased to see a high number of our colleagues putting themselves forward for public office – at least twelve for Kabul alone – […]

Political Landscape Read more

27 May: New AAN report about Local Defence Initiatives launched

AAN • admin •

AAN’s Thematic Report 03/2010 ‘Local Defence in Afghanistan: A Review of Government-backed Initiatives’ by Mathieu Lefèvre unpacks the myths about local defense initiatives in Afghanistan. His analysis of three local defense initiatives shows the contradictions in the claimed successes and points at possible long-term security challenges posed by these initiatives. In this report, Mathieu Lefèvre analyses three local […]

Events Read more

Local Defence in Afghanistan: A Review of Government-backed Initiatives

Mathieu Lefevre •

In this latest AAN report, Mathieu Lefèvre unpacks the myths about local defense initiatives in Afghanistan. His analysis of three local defense initiatives shows the contradictions in the claimed successes and points at possible long-term security challenges posed by these initiatives. In this report, Mathieu Lefèvre analyses three local defense initiatives in Afghanistan: The Afghanistan […]

Special Reports Read more

The Kuchi-Hazara Conflict, Again

Fabrizio Foschini •

As every year around this time, violent clashes have erupted between local Hazaras and incoming Pashtun Kuchis in the pastures of Eastern Hazajarat. Houses were burnt down, people and animals killed, many fled the area. Hazara MPs boycott the parliament’s sessions. But the level of violence seems to be higher than ever. Fabrizio Foschini. Junior […]

War and Peace Read more

A Ministers retreat, a rowdy crowd and the politics of the thinly veiled threat

Martine van Bijlert •

A quick visit to Bamyan to see the sights and enjoy its beauty – no politics intended. But in between the magic of the Band-e Amir lakes and the Dragon Valley, the ancient cities of Zuhaak and Gholghola, the awe of waking up to the view of the Buddha silhouettes, the walks through the fields […]

Political Landscape Read more

Zu wenig, reichlich spät – Stabilisierungsmaßnahmen in Afghanistan zwischen Terrorismus- und Aufstandsbekämpfung

Thomas Ruttig •

Thomas Ruttig, in: Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte (Bonn), 21-22/2010 This contribution to a weekly newspaper supplement of 7 articles on Pakistan and Afghanistan, discusses how much the new Obama/McChrystal strategy really represents a strategic shift (in German, avaibale on the web from 22 May onwards), see below: Zu wenig, reichlich spät – Stabilisierungsmaßnahmen in Afghanistan […]

External publications Read more

Drugs, plots and stockpiles: Afghanistan’s failing poppy crop

Kate Clark •

A mysterious desease is spreading through Afghanistan’s poppy fields: Is it a secret counter-narcotics operation or simply caused by nature? And what do ‘the markets say’? Answers given by Kate Clark, AAN Senior Analyst ‘Reports of a “mysterious” fungus that has damaged opium poppy crops in Afghanistan have hit international headlines’ writes a breathless commentator […]

Context and Culture Read more

The MP (not) always runs twice

Fabrizio Foschini •

The nomination of candidates for September’s parliamentary elections has been completed. It went reasonably smoothly and the preliminary list of nominees has been released by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). A first look at the process by AAN researcher Fabrizio Foschini. It was a relatively short registration process, down from one month in 2005 to […]

Political Landscape Read more

“Oh let it rain, let it rain on the fields, let it drench the head scarf of my beloved”

Kate Clark •

Going to Bamian and Yakaolang brings up a lot of memories and shows how times have changed since Taleban times. An AAN ‘travel blog’, by Kate Clark, currently a Senior Analyst with AAN. Getting out of Kabul for me usually means heading to the hot and dusty south or south east to report on the […]

Context and Culture Read more

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