USIP Experts Available to Comment on Future of Afghanistan-U.S. Relationship
Experts from the U.S. Institute of Peace are available for comment in advance of President Obama's Afghanistan policy speech. In Afghanistan, USIP works on reconciliation, rule of law, and cross-border dialogues with Pakistan. USIP's permanent Kabul office provides the latest on-the-ground information on Afghanistan and supports USIP programs in country.
For Immediate Release, June 21, 2011
Contact: Allison Sturma, asturma@usip.org
(Washington) – Experts from the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) are available for comment in advance of President Obama's Afghanistan policy speech. In Afghanistan, USIP works on reconciliation, rule of law, and cross-border dialogues with Pakistan. USIP's permanent Kabul office provides the latest on-the-ground information on Afghanistan and supports USIP programs in country.
USIP experts available for comment are:
Andrew Wilder, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan programs
Prior to joining USIP in August of 2010, Wilder was at Tufts University and also worked in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He is available to comment on general U.S.-Afghanistan relations, political reform and governance issues.
Office: 202-429-4702
Cell: 202-340-2682
E-mail: awilder@usip.org
Shahmahmood Miakhel, country director, Afghanistan
Miakhel oversees USIP's Kabul office and has previously worked with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan, as the Afghan deputy minister of the interior, and with Voice of America. He is available for comment on Afghanistan government, rule of law, and U.S.-Afghanistan relations.
Office: +93-799-327-051
E-mail: smiakhel@usip.org
Scott Worden, senior rule of law adviser
Worden served as one of the U.N. appointed international commissioners on the 2009 Electoral Complaints Commission and is available to comment on governance and rule of law issues.
Office: 202-429-3811
Cell: 703-944-3348
E-mail: sworden@usip.org
Barmak Pazhwak, program officer
Pazhwak oversees USIP Afghanistan grants program and previously worked with the U.N. Development Program. He is available to comment on local capacity building and the general U.S.-Afghanistan relationship.
Office: 202-429-4718
Cell: 202-360-0974
E-mail: bpazhwak@usip.org
Additional Resources:
"Promoting Stability and Resolving Provincial Disputes in Afghanistan" PeaceBrief
This June 2011 brief discusses USIP work with local elders, government officials, and religious figures and suggests several methods for facilitating dispute resolution that rely on flexible networks of locally legitimate political figures which will strengthen the government, promote rule of law and decrease the appeal of the Taliban.
"Afghan Perspective on Achieving Durable Peace" PeaceBrief
This June 2011 brief outlines key findings from the first phase of research on Afghan stakeholder views on the conflict.
Learn more about USIP's work in Afghanistan and find a complete list of resources.
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