Afghanistan BLOG
The Great End Game
The Economist article from 22 July sums it up perfectly - not so much divide and rule as divide and go...
"We are certain that we are winning...Why should we talk if we have the upper hand...?"
A clue - this wasn't said by Barack Obama or General Petraeus...
Afghanistan: a proposed way forward...
My suggested approach to the current situation - a new 10 year plan for the international community, no talks with the Taliban and a concentration on building up the Afghan civil administration similar to the approach taken with the army and police
Afghan ethnic groups concerned about Karzai Taliban deals
Karzai's efforts to negotiate with the Taliban are making Tajik, Uzbek and Hazara ethnic groups worried that they are told be sold out.
Gizab Good Guys
Local militias for local people? Why we should be careful of throwing weapons and money at Afghans who don't like the Taliban.
An interview with Francesc Vendell
''Never has the international community been so divided and unclear about their objectives in Afghanistan''
"All the information we receive indicates everyone is weary of war, including the Taliban,"
Beware of false dawns and remember that the international community is probably most tired...
Our current approach is failing and will fail
We are pinning all our hopes on an increasingly unlikely military"win" this year. We have undermined the limited chances for a political settlement that there were by declaring a withdrawal date. The Taliban have been encouraged by the international community's patent lack of appetite for "the long haul". A civil war is highly possible in 3-5 years. So what do we do?
The Relationship between Pakistani intelligence services and the Taliban
A crucial issue that needs exposure. This paper goes only part of the way…
Conferences – what are they good for?
An entertaining reminder that we should question the value and purposes of conferences.
More (conspiracy) thoughts on the security resignations
Madness as method: An alternative agenda from Karzai?
Peace Jirga fallout: Intelligence chief and Interior Minister resign
Did they jump or were they pushed? Either way, this is not good for Afghan progress Two key – and competent - members of Karzai’s government have resigned, apparent for failing to prevent the Taliban attacks at the beginning of the Peace Jirga.
The Peace Jirga ends
Full of high sounding aspiration and low on practicality – just like the Karzai plan itself.
Poor quality Afghan police
I am running out of ways to say this - the Afghan National Police are still worryingly poor...
Attack on the Peace Jirga
The Taliban didn't always the confidence and capability to launch such high profile attacks.
