Laura Bush Urges Sustained Support for Afghan Women

Laura Bush Urges Sustained Support for Afghan Women

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

By: Fred Strasser

Former first lady Laura Bush said the international community must continue to support the reconstruction of Afghanistan and progress for the country’s women through aid, investment and an ongoing presence of American troops. Speaking at the U.S. Institute of Peace on March 15, Bush said she remains hopeful for the country’s future, in part because of the spirit of Afghan women and the strides they have made in education, business and government.

Type: Analysis

GenderDemocracy & GovernanceEnvironmentGlobal PolicyHuman RightsEconomics

Poor Planning, Coordination Cited in Afghan Intervention

Poor Planning, Coordination Cited in Afghan Intervention

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

By: Gopal Ratnam

Failings by the United States and its NATO partners in the early stages of the 15-year-long war in Afghanistan have prolonged that country’s need for international troops and economic help, U.S. and German officials said in a recent forum at the U.S. Institute of Peace that examined the lessons learned during the past decade.

Type: Analysis

Justice, Security & Rule of LawViolent ExtremismCivilian-Military RelationsGlobal Policy

To Help Afghanistan Survive, Narrow the Focus

To Help Afghanistan Survive, Narrow the Focus

Friday, June 19, 2015

By: USIP Staff

Afghanistan’s Taliban are trying to defeat the government in this first year following the U.S. military’s withdrawal from combat operations, and their surge in attacks has driven the rate of army and police casualties at least 65 percent higher than last year. Still, a focused strategy can help the government survive, USIP experts say.

Type: Analysis

Violent ExtremismDemocracy & GovernanceCivilian-Military Relations

Afghan President Ghani’s Message in U.S. Visit: Help Us Stand on Our Own Feet

Afghan President Ghani’s Message in U.S. Visit: Help Us Stand on Our Own Feet

Sunday, March 22, 2015

By: USIP Staff

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani likely will use his first visit to Washington since taking office to thank the American people for their sacrifice for the cause of peace in Afghanistan, and to appeal for steadfast backing to prevent a precipitous drawdown of U.S. civilian and military support that could plunge his country back into a bloody civil war. According to experts at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Ghani will emphasize that Afghanistan’s new leadership is committed to reforming government,...

Type: Analysis

Civilian-Military RelationsGlobal PolicyFragility & Resilience

Election Prospects Give Afghanistan a Shot at Future Beyond 2014

Election Prospects Give Afghanistan a Shot at Future Beyond 2014

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

James Dobbins, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, touted televised debates of presidential candidates, millions of new voters registered legitimately, and other visible signs to argue that Afghanistan has a chance at scoring the country’s first peaceful and democratic transfer of presidential power next month.

Type: Analysis

Credible Afghan Elections Seen Critical to Future Stability, Donor Backing

Credible Afghan Elections Seen Critical to Future Stability, Donor Backing

Thursday, December 13, 2012

By: Viola Gienger

Credible presidential elections in Afghanistan in 2014 will help determine the willingness of foreign donors to continue providing a range of financial support for the country after NATO troops leave, a U.S. official said at a U.S. Institute of Peace event exploring “Elections, Reconciliation and the Final Two Years of Afghanistan’s Transition: Perspectives from the International Community.”

Type: Analysis

Technocratic Reforms in Afghanistan: Benefits and Limitations

Technocratic Reforms in Afghanistan: Benefits and Limitations

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

By: William Byrd, Ph.D.

Afghanistan’s “technocratic” reforms have resulted in impressive progress in areas such as public financial management. However, these reforms alone will not solve the country’s pressing security, political, and economic problems. This brief outlines the benefits and limitations of technocratic reforms and emphasizes that government and international attention should not be diverted from concrete, short-term measures to improve government functioning, strengthen security, and stimulate a mode...

Type: Peace Brief

EnvironmentDemocracy & GovernanceEconomics