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2 April 2014, Berlin: AAN at Taz Discussion

"Afghanistan nach Karsai und ISAF" is the title of a discussion round organised by Berlin-based daily Tageszeitung (taz), in cooperation with the Afghanistan Analysts Network. On 5 April, Afghanistan elects a new president. With that, the era of Hamed Karzai who is in power since the overthrow of the Taleban ends. What did he achieve, what he did not? […]

23 Mar 2014 Thomas Ruttig • Events

The Butter on the Bread: The Provincial Councils’ fight for extended authority

For more than two weeks, now, the campaign for the provincial council (PC) election has been running. It commenced on 4 March, and the presidential election that ends the era of President Hamed Karzai in Afghanistan’s highest office overshadows it. PC candidates and voters face one difficulty: the councils lack clearly defined authorities, which somewhat […]

23 Mar 2014 Thomas Ruttig • Political Landscape

Taste the Samanak! Wishing you a Happy New Year with ancient culinary treats

The celebration of Nawruz, the New Year, on the 21st of March by the peoples of the region between Anatolia and Central Asia dates back some thousands of years. This year it is Afghanistan’s turn to host the Nawruz International Festival, which sees the presidents of several countries of the region gather for a joint […]

22 Mar 2014 AAN Team • Context and Culture

2 April 2014, London: AAN’s Francesc Vendrell at the Frontline Club

“Who will lead Afghanistan?” is the question to be discussed at this session of the London-based Frontline Club’s “Fist Wedensday” panel series. gears up for a pivotal presidential election we will be bringing together a panel of experts to take an in-depth look at the candidates and what they are offering. “Who will lead Afghanistan?” is the […]

22 Mar 2014 Thomas Ruttig • Events

2 April 2014, Berlin: AAN’s Thomas Ruttig at German Bundestag’s Public Hearing

AAN’s Thomas Ruttig will be one of four experts invited to give statements at a public session of the German Bundestag’s (parliament’s) foreign affairs committee under the title “The ISAF mission – lessons learned” on 2 April this year in Berlin. Time: 2 April 2014, 12.30 pm Venue: Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus, room 3 101, Adele-Schreiber-Krieger-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin Prior registration […]

22 Mar 2014 Thomas Ruttig • Events

A Sad Nawruz: Violence risks tainting an important Afghan holiday

AAN had wanted to wake up on a Friday, post its piece about Nawruz special food traditions, and enjoy the quiet of one of the last weekends before elections and more hectic days of work. That this was a delusion became clear as details about yesterday’s attack at Kabul’s Serena hotel started to emerge. On […]

21 Mar 2014 AAN Team • War and Peace

The Murder of Swedish Journalist Nils Horner: an assessment of the Fedai Mahaz claim

The Swedish newspaper Expressen has published CCTV footage of the two men who allegedly killed the Swedish-British journalist, Nils Horner, in Kabul on 11 March. The pair can clearly be seen: they are young, clean-shaven and with short hair. Yet who they might be and why they killed the award-winning journalist still remains a mystery. The […]

19 Mar 2014 Kate Clark • Borhan Osman • War and Peace

Dividing the Field: Who shapes the electoral landscape in a Herat township – and how?

In Herat, elders have divided a township into areas supporting different presidential contenders. They are motivated by financial and other benefits and a desire to end up on the winning side in any case. But they are also divided, mainly along political party lines. This heralds the coming of potentially highly contested presidential and provincial […]

17 Mar 2014 S Reza Kazemi • Political Landscape

Cure or Curse? Implications of the Kilij mine closure for Bamyan’s security situation

As Afghanistan prepares to take full responsibility for security and state functions by the end of 2014, the country’s natural resources are often touted as a major source of future state revenue to substitute for dwindling international aid. There are, however, concerns regarding the ability and willingness of the Afghan government to ensure that extraction is […]

15 Mar 2014 Jalil Benish • Economy, Development, Environment

External Publication: Einiges besser, nichts wirklich gut (Some things better, nothing really good)

WeltTrends, January/February 2014 In this German-language article, AAN’s Thomas Ruttig attempts to draw a balance of the twelve years of the US/NATO-led intervention in Afghanistan. Looking at the security situation, the state of the insurgency, achievements and shortcomings in reconstruction, the economy and institution building and at the often-overlooked social situation of the population. He concludes that […]

14 Mar 2014 Thomas Ruttig • Special Reports