Idea of 'Hopeless' Afghanistan Misreads U.S. Role

Idea of 'Hopeless' Afghanistan Misreads U.S. Role

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

By: William Byrd, Ph.D.

The new U.S. plan for Afghanistan--adding troops, trying to coax the Taliban into a peace process, and supporting government reforms--is being met with skepticism and outright hostility by some who believe the situation there has always been hopeless. But the idea that nothing has worked in Afghanistan, let alone that nothing would have ever worked, is a profound misreading of the past 16 years.

Type: Blog

Peace ProcessesDemocracy & GovernanceGlobal Policy

Effectively Fighting Corruption Without Violence

Effectively Fighting Corruption Without Violence

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

By: Nicholas Zaremba;  Tabatha Thompson

In 2013, musicians, artists and activists began what became one of Africa’s most successful grassroots political movements, The Citizen’s Broom (Le Balai Citoyen). Organized to fight corruption in Burkina Faso, the campaign brought thousands of people into the streets with brooms to “sweep them clean” and highlight longtime President Blaise Compaore’s illegitimate attempts to maintain power.

Type: In the Field

Nonviolent ActionDemocracy & Governance

How Afghans View the New U.S. Strategy

How Afghans View the New U.S. Strategy

Thursday, August 24, 2017

By: Shahmahmood Miakhel

Afghanistan’s leaders are mostly breathing a sigh of relief at the release of the new U.S. strategy after such a long delay. President Trump’s speech featured important reassurances to Afghanistan and some useful warnings all around. But it also leaves questions about the difficulty of reaching the goals that both the Afghan and U.S. governments have set out.

Type: Blog

Democracy & GovernanceGlobal PolicyViolent Extremism