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Afghanistan’s vain attempts at wooing Pakistani Islamists for peace

The recent assertion by Pakistan’s chief cleric, Tahir Ashrafi, about the permissibility of Taleban’s suicide attacks was completely the opposite of what Afghanistan had been looking for. Indeed, Kabul has had difficulties in mobilising religious leaders to speak against suicide attacks. A long sought conference of ulama from Afghanistan and Pakistan aimed at delegitimising militancy […]

7 Mar 2013 Borhan Osman • Regional Relations

An Afghan-Pakistani Strategic Agreement: Side-steps, Back Steps and New Steps

It was a story that never really broke: for the first time, a leading Afghan politician has accepted a draft document of a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) between Afghanistan and Pakistan. But as a part of attempts to strengthen regional integration and cooperation, such an agreement is on the agenda again. And, as usual, it […]

4 Mar 2013 Gran Hewad • Regional Relations

The Other Guantanamo 4: The Final Handover of Bagram in Sight?

The transfer of detainees held at Bagram airbase from US to Afghan hands is once again in full swing. Transfers had begun after the US and Afghan governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on transferring Bagram almost a year ago, but they were suspended by the US in late summer 2012, due to reluctance […]

3 Mar 2013 Kate Clark • Rights and Freedoms

Trying to Control the Uncontrolled: the NSC’s decision on Wardak

Months of reported abuses in Wardak by armed groups and individuals apparently linked to a US Special Operations base, and the failure of ISAF to take responsibility or to adequately respond, has led the National Security Council to announce that all US Special Operations Forces are to be removed from Wardak within two weeks. Although […]

26 Feb 2013 Martine van Bijlert • War and Peace

Beans and Bullets: Pentagon report puts ANSF logistical and combat capabilities in doubt

Since the 2014 deadline for the withdrawal of all NATO combat troops has been set, the strengthening of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) so that they can defend Afghanistan from the insurgency has become a central pillar of NATO’s strategy. The most complete, publicly available records of the progress of the ANSF come as part […]

26 Feb 2013 Gary Owen • War and Peace

When and Why to Catch a TTP Leader: Faqir Muhammad’s Arrest

The capture last week of a prominent Pakistani militant in the Afghan province of Nangrahar by Afghan police and intelligence has made a sensation in both countries, being widely interpreted as a positive step for diplomatic relations and cooperation. But it also led to controversial commentaries by some observers. The presence inside Afghanistan of Pakistani […]

24 Feb 2013 Fabrizio Foschini • War and Peace

Torture, Illegal Armed Groups: Signs of Possible Afghan Government Action?

Many were surprised by the eventual response of the Afghan government to the detailed allegations made by UNAMA in January concerning torture carried out by the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and the Afghan National Police (ANP). The government’s initial denials that any problem existed were predictable enough, but were followed by President Karzai ordering […]

22 Feb 2013 Kate Clark • Rights and Freedoms

Fewer Deaths, But…: UNAMA’s 2012 Civilian Casualties Report (amended)

‘Civilian deaths in Afghan Conflict fall for the first time in six years’ was the good news top line of the new 2012 report by UNAMA on the protection of civilians. Fewer civilians were killed in suicide attacks, ground engagements and aerial attacks, said UNAMA. The Taleban remain responsible for bulk of civilian deaths, while […]

19 Feb 2013 Kate Clark • War and Peace

18 February 2013: Thomas Ruttig’s Afghanistan Conflict Portrait on German Website

AAN’s Thomas Ruttig has been invited to write the updated ‘Afghanistan conflict portrait’ for a much frequented German website, that of Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (Federal Centre for Political Education). It is a first point of reference for many pupils, students and teachers. Find his contribution (in German) here. The page also has a debate […]

18 Feb 2013 AAN • admin • Events

The Civilian Casualty Tightrope: Karzai Bans ANSF Calling in ‘Foreign’ Airstrikes on Villages

In a blistering speech on 16 February 2013, President Hamed Karzai called requests to foreigners by Afghan security forces for airstrikes on Afghan villages ‘shameful’.(1) His office said that tomorrow, he will issue a decree formally banning requests for strikes on what is being described in the English press as ‘residential areas’. The president’s move […]

17 Feb 2013 Gary Owen • War and Peace