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Making Peace in Afghanistan: the Missing Political Strategy

Date: Friday, February 18, 2011 / Time: 5:00am - 7:00am 

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On February 18, USIP launched the Special Report "Making Peace in Afghanistan: the Missing Political Strategy" and convened a panel discussion to discuss the creation of a political strategy enabling sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

After nine years of rising violence and uneven progress, there is increasing acceptance that a political settlement is needed to end the war in Afghanistan. During 2010, the U.S. and NATO military surge was accompanied by an effort to convince middle and lower-level fighters to abandon the insurgency. That year, the Afghan government named a High Peace Council charged with exploring political negotiations, and Pakistan also acknowledged that it will need to play a role in such a process. At the same time, increased discussion about and support for talks should not be mistaken for a peace process or a widely shared political strategy for ending the war.

On February 18, USIP held a launch of the Special Report "Making Peace in Afghanistan: the Missing Political Strategy" and a panel discussion to explore a strategy which will enable a sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

Speakers

  • Minna Järvenpää
    former Head of Analysis and Planning
    United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
  • Ali Jalali
    Professor, National Defense University
    former Interior Minister of Afghanistan
  • Hamish Nixon
    Project Coordinator
    Peace Research Institute of Oslo/United States Institute of Peace
  • Kristian Harpviken, respondent
    Director
    Peace Research Institute of Oslo

  • Andrew Wilder, moderator
    Director, Afghanistan and Pakistan Programs
    United States Institute of Peace

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