Understanding Afghanistan's 2014 Presidential Election

Understanding Afghanistan's 2014 Presidential Election

Friday, April 24, 2015

By: William Byrd, Ph.D.

Afghanistan’s 2014 presidential election did lead to its first peaceful transfer of power. The process, however, was scarcely democratic. This report explores the election and its internationally mediated unity government outcome. Elections—when they can even be held in fragile and conflict-affected situations—tend to be more destabilizing than stabilizing. The overall lesson, as this report makes clear, points to certain critical needs for such countries: a better understanding of inherent i...

Type: Special Report

Mediation, Negotiation & DialogueDemocracy & Governance

U.S. Presses Taliban to Accept Afghan Peace Talks

U.S. Presses Taliban to Accept Afghan Peace Talks

Friday, March 9, 2018

By: USIP Staff

The senior U.S. diplomat for South and Central Asia, Ambassador Alice Wells, urged Afghanistan’s Taliban to take up last week’s offer by President Ashraf Ghani to hold direct peace negotiations. “It is a positive sign” that the Taliban have not rejected Ghani’s proposal, Wells said—and a planned regional conference in Tashkent this month should reinforce international pressure for the insurgent movement’s acceptance of peace talks.

Type: Analysis

Peace Processes

U.S. Envoy Feldman Urges Continued Support to Solidify Afghan Gains

U.S. Envoy Feldman Urges Continued Support to Solidify Afghan Gains

Thursday, August 6, 2015

By: Fred Strasser

The U.S. can’t assess yet the precise impact the confirmed death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar will have on the group’s talks with the Afghan government, but officials do believe the insurgency faces a more stable and united administration than at any time in the past six years, according to Dan Feldman, the outgoing U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Type: Analysis

Violent Extremism

A Voice from the Opposition: The Way Ahead in Afghanistan

Monday, April 18, 2011

By: Gordon Lubold

USIP on April 14 held an event with Abdullah Abdullah, who heads the Coalition for Change and Hope political party in Afghanistan. He told the group that despite the fact that stereotypes exist about Muslim countries and democracy, there are many in Afghanistan who support a democratic country.

Type: Analysis

A New Approach to Understanding Afghanistan's Transition

A New Approach to Understanding Afghanistan's Transition

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

By: William A. Byrd;  Gary Milante;  Kenneth Anye

When it is compared with other countries that have undergone transition, Afghanistan is revealed to be stronger than many on economic performance but weaker than the norm for governance and rule of law. If its strengths are supported and weak areas are targeted for improvement, the country will improve its prospects for a successful transition, say the authors of this new report.

Type: Peaceworks

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

Negotiations Are the Only Way to End Afghan Conflict, Says Abdullah

Negotiations Are the Only Way to End Afghan Conflict, Says Abdullah

Thursday, June 25, 2020

By: Adam Gallagher

The head of Afghanistan’s new peace council said yesterday that he is optimistic that intra-Afghan talks can start in the coming weeks, but increased levels of violence and details of prisoner releases may slow the start of talks. Chairman Abdullah added that the government’s negotiating team will be inclusive and represent common values in talks with the Taliban. The team “will be diverse and represent all walks of life,” Abdullah said. Afghans and analysts have expressed concern that without an inclusive negotiating team, the country’s hard-won, democratic gains could be compromised for the sake of a deal with the Taliban.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernancePeace Processes