Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Conundrum on Afghanistan: Karzai Has Little to Gain by Going Back to Doha
The visit to Kabul of British Prime Minister David Cameron over the weekend provided an opportunity to again raise the issue of the stalled peace talks with the Taliban in Doha. Karzai did not provide clarity on when or whether he would rejoin the talks.
Colombian Churches, Faith Groups Engage to Urge Peace
As the Colombian government and FARC rebels conduct peace negotiations in Cuba, religious leaders and people of faith have been active in Colombia’s broader movement for peace and justice.
Iraqis, Under Sectarian Pressure, Could Adopt a ‘Third Way’ Foreign Policy
Iraq this year is living dangerously amid a revival of sectarian political violence, and its contentious domestic politics are playing an unhelpful role in how the young democracy is responding to a slew of foreign policy challenges, particularly from neighboring Syria.
Afghan Parliament Steps Up; Where is the Opposition?
Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s signing of a law on two pivotal electoral commissions this week was an important concession to parliament and removed a major obstacle to holding next year’s presidential election on time.
Women Poised to Defuse Violent Extremism in Tajikistan
An imposing statue of Ismail Somoni, a ninth century ruler considered the “father of the Tajik people,” stands over Freedom Square in the center of the capital Dushanbe. Its presence is a pointed replacement of the statue of Lenin that was moved to a less conspicuous perch two decades ago; moved, but not put away.
A Killing in Tunis: Will Tunisia’s Transition Survive?
Fourteen. This was the number of bullets fired into Mohammed Brahmi, a leading secular politician and outspoken opponent of the “Troika” government in Tunis, led by the Islamist-oriented Ennahda Party.
Colombia Peace Talks: Next Steps on Political Life for Opposition
The Colombian government and representatives of the FARC rebel group may not meet their November target date for completing peace negotiations, but talks are proceeding at a steady clip, and both sides expressed satisfaction following the close of the 12th round of talks in Havana on Aug. 10. They plan to resume discussions on August 19.
Afghanistan’s Next Generation Mobilizes
The pivotal presidential elections in Afghanistan next April will rest more than ever before on a new generation, as the proportion of the country’s population under the age of 25 reaches 68 percent.
USIP to Sharpen Focus on Preventing Conflicts over Water
USIP will host a Water Security and Conflict Prevention Summit on Sept. 10 with two other organizations, an event that reflects a deepening interest within and outside of government in reducing security risks related to natural resources.
Colombia Peace Talks Might Require U.S. to Set Parameters of Support
The U.S., in pledging to back Colombian government peace negotiations with the FARC rebel group, may need to define more clearly what it’s willing to contribute or concede so there’s no question of American support for any agreement that results from the talks, according to participants in a recent roundtable organized by USIP.