Afghanistan Analysts Network – English

Thomas Ruttig

Ohne Ahnung im Einsatz (not online)

Thomas Ruttig •

JS-Magazin, February 2014 Two German authors, Thomas Wiegold and JS’ Felix Ehring, have looked at how German soldiers are prepared for their term in Afghanistan. Their findings are rather shocking: German soldiers, particularly the lower ranks, are supposed to be prepared in knowledge about the country and “inter-cultural competence”, including 20 hours (only!) of theory plus […]

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For Afghans, Obama’s SOTU message on US troops was loud and clear

Thomas Ruttig •

Stars and Stripes, 29 January 2014 In a report about Afghan reactions to President Obama’s State of the Union address, AAN’s Thomas Ruttig is quoted: Thomas Ruttig, co-director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network, said Obama did not indicate what the consequences might be if Karzai does not sign the agreement. “For me, the most important […]

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Not a "Tailless Star”: an obituary for leading Afghan intellectual Muhammad Qasim Akhgar

Thomas Ruttig •

On Tuesday night (28 January 2014), with the passing away of Muhammad Qasim Akhgar, Afghanistan lost one of its leading intellectuals. Ustad Akhgar died after a long illness, only 62 years old and he died as he had lived, in more than modest circumstances. An independent leftist, author and human rights activist, who maintained his […]

Context and Culture Read more

Flash from the Past: Long Live Consensus – a look back at the 2003 Constitutional Loya Jirga

Thomas Ruttig •

It is ten years since Afghanistan got its new constitution. It had been debated over 22 days by the 502 delegates to a specially convened Constitutional Loya Jirga (CLJ). Hailed as one of the most progressive constitutions in the region, it was also called a “juggle of the Quran and democracy” (The New York Times). The […]

Political Landscape Read more

Afghan President Karzai takes political risks with US security pact

Thomas Ruttig •

ABC (Radio Australia), 27 January 2014 Afghan President Hamid Karzai appears to have stiffened his resolve not to sign a security agreement with the United States, saying he won’t do so unless the Taliban can be persuaded to begin peace talks. But is the Afghan leader pushing his luck? — Listen to an audio which included […]

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Cards on the Table: Transparency and post-2014 Afghan aid

Thomas Ruttig •

The joint Afghan-international strategy for 2015 to 2024, the so-called transition period, is based on the assumption that the security situation in the country is conducive to continuing large-scale development programmes. Recently released figures, however, indicate that the instability has not diminished, with a negative impact on access for those who implement, monitor and use […]

Economy, Development, Environment Read more

27 January 2014, Berlin: AAN on Public Panel about the German Military in Afghanistan

Thomas Ruttig •

On Monday, 27 January 2014, AAN’s Co-Director and Senior Analyst Thomas Ruttig will be on a penal discussion in Berlin discussing the the German Protestant Church’s posiiton paper on ethical issues of the German military mission in Afghanistan that will be published on that day, titled: “Blessed Are the Pacificatory – the Mission in Afghanistan: Duties […]

Events Read more

Kann Afghanistan nach dem Truppenabzug selbst für seine Sicherheit sorgen?

Thomas Ruttig •

MDR Info (German radio), 20 January 2014 After the terrorist attack on Kabul’s Taverna du Liban restaurant, AAN’s Thomas Ruttig answers question on the security situation, role of the ANSF and the Taleban (in German). Go to indicated link, chose MO 20.01., and then 6-9 Uhr, look for the headline nd activate the audio (also podcast […]

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Dranbleiben, ehrlich werden: Militär und Entwicklung in Afghanistan

Thomas Ruttig •

Tageszeitung (Berlin), 17 January 2014 In an op-ed commentary on the German military withdrawal and promises to keep up development spending, AAN’s Thomas Ruttig demands transparency as a basis for future strategies. He calls attempts, now taken back, by the German forces to stop giving details about violent incidents an attempt to keep control over […]

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After 12 years, £390bn, and countless dead, we leave poverty, fraud – and the Taliban in Afghanistan

Thomas Ruttig •

The Independent, 12 January 2014 The author in the leading British daily quotes extensively from what he calls “a damning study of the outcome of 12 years of international intervention in Afghanistan by Thomas Ruttig of the Afghanistan Analysts Network in Kabul” that underscroes “that US and British military [and may i add – political] […]

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“Terrorgefangene“ in Afghanistan frei: Karsai überstimmt Obama

Thomas Ruttig •

Tageszeitung (Berlin/online), 10 January 2013 Op-ed article by AAN’s Thomas Ruttig on President Karzai’s decision to release 72 Afghan detainees declared “dangerous” by the US government from Bagram (in German).

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Ruttig: “Karsai will sein politisches Erbe sichern”

Thomas Ruttig •

Deutsche Welle, 10 January 2014 Text interview with AAN’s Thomas Ruttig on DW’s website, explaining the background of the current US-Afghan debate about the release of 72 (of 88), according to the US view, high-risk prisonsers from Bagram (in German).

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