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The debate over where to locate the power to issue constitutional interpretations that would bind the branches of the government began during the constitutional drafting process in 2003 and continues through the present. It is essential for political and legal stability in Afghanistan that the current inter-branch stalemate over constitutional dispute resolution be resolved. Any solution must include a determination of which entity will have jurisdiction to undertake constitutional interpretation and in which circumstances. Most importantly, the solution must be achieved through an Afghan-owned process of dialogue and compromise; otherwise the outcome is unlikely to be implemented.
- US policy toward Afghanistan will require a fundamental change in order to achieve long-term stability in the country, according to The Future of Afghanistan, a new U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) collection of essays written by some of the world's top South Asia analysts. "A focused, coherent, and long-term approach to Afghan and regional stability is necessary to get Afghanistan out of its vicious cycle of insecurity, insurgency, impunity, and corruption" says the Institute's J. Alexander Thier, who edited the volume.
Afghanistan is in a crucial phase of transition. In this report, USIP's first Afghanistan fellow Masoom Stanekzai, who has interviewed a broad spectrum of Afghan senior government officials, members of the international community, and ordinary citizens in the country, shares his recommendations for a pragmatic approach toward peace and reconciliation.
J Alexander Thier addressed the Capitol Hill-based study group "Security for a New Century” on the challenges in establishing legitimate Afghan institutions.
Latest from USIP on Afghanistan
- March 5, 2010 | Resource
An initiative by the Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan to expand health services throughout the country, including rural communities, and supported by donors including USAID, has vastly expanded access to primary health care services, significantly reduced child mortality, and increased the capacity of the Afghan government to provide an essential service to its people.
- March 5, 2010 | Event
Both DDR and SSR address the heart of the relationship between a state and its people: political control of armed force. What are the connections between DDR and SSR, and how can these be implemented?
- March 3, 2010 | In the Field
On February 13, 2010 USIP’s Kabul office organized a series of closed-door meetings with Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Congressman Baron Hill of Indiana, Afghan tribal elders, and Afghan women leaders to discuss progress on reconstruction in Afghanistan. Some of the major issues they discussed were security, governance/rule of law, development, the role of international forces, and reconciliation.
- February 25, 2010 | Event
PLEASE NOTE: This event was originally scheduled for February 9th and was postponed due to snow.
Police and military forces are the first line of defense against corruption, but they can also engage in corrupt practices. What are the best practices for dealing with corruption, particularly in countries emerging from conflict?
USIP is conducting a number of initiatives in Afghanistan to: promote a secure environment; build the rule of law; strengthen public education and civil society; and promote a better understanding in the U.S. policy community of critical issues related to the country.
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The Current Situation
Eight years after the international intervention in Afghanistan, the country faces considerable obstacles to stability. The year 2009 was the most violent on record for Afghans and international forces since 2001, and Afghan and international public confidence is diminishing. National elections held in August 2009 were marred by massive fraud, reinforcing a widespread perception of corrupt and unaccountable governance. President Hamid Karzai, who was inaugurated for a second term on November 19 with weakened legitimacy, has pledged to clean up his government and assert Afghan leadership for security over the coming years.
On December 1, calling our engagement there a “vital national interest,” President Obama announced that the U.S. would commit 30,000 more soldiers to Afghanistan, adding to the 65,000 U.S. forces and 40,000 allied forces already in theater. He also pledged to “work with our partners, the United Nations, and the Afghan people to pursue a more effective civilian strategy.” The U.S. will continue providing resources to Afghanistan in a variety of areas, including building effective Afghan security forces, governance and capacity-building, and agriculture and infrastructure projects. The U.S. will also support Afghan led efforts to achieve political reconciliation and reintegrate insurgents. Take a more in depth look at the current situation in Afghanistan.
In the Field: The Kabul Office
In January 2008, USIP established a full-time presence in Afghanistan to help plan, implement, and oversee all USIP projects in Afghanistan. In September 2009, USIP opened a permanent office to further expand the scope of its work in Afghanistan. The staff is made up of Americans and Afghans who play an indispensable role in providing the latest on-the-ground information on Afghanistan and who support and administer all USIP programs in the country.
- Read about USIP's meetings in Kabul with Senator Merkley, Congressman Baron Hill, and Afghan tribal elders and Afghan women leaders in February 2010.
- Read about the USIP-led Traditional Justice Workshop for General McChrystal and ISAF in Afghanistan, held on November 27, 2009
Going Forward: USIP Goals in Afghanistan
USIP experts in Kabul and Washington are working diligently toward peace and stability by implementing projects aimed at:
- Strengthening Peaceful Reconciliation and Capacity to Mitigate Conflict
- Enhancing the Rule of Law
- Improving Cooperation for Peace, Security, and Economic Development
- Increasing Understanding and Effectiveness of Operations in Afghanistan
Multimedia
Watch, listen and learn as USIP experts and events address issues facing Afghanistan:
- Listen to Alex Thier talk about reconciliation in Afghanistan.
- Listen to Alex Thier discuss Obama’s new Afghanistan policy on NPR.