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Is Operation Moshtarak a fool’s mission?
BY NORINE MACDONALD | FEB. 8, 2010
We should be asking some critical questions about the now, much-publicized NATO and Afghan forces operation to take Marjah district in Helmand. For starters: How does this operation fit into the overall strategy for Afghanistan -- why Marjah and why now?
Read Entire EntryA London fog on Afghanistan
BY GILLES DORRONSORO | FEB. 5, 2010
In restive provinces like Helmand and Kandahar, rallying the foot soldiers of the insurgency is simply never going to work, because they are fighting in defense of values -- such as Islam, and freedom from foreign occupation -- that they see under attack. Even if the coalition achieves limited tactical successes, the Taliban will quickly replace the fighters it loses, and it can easily target the "traitors." These coalition tactics are not new and have never worked before. Why does the White House think they'll work now, with the insurgency stronger than ever?
In Dostum's Debt
BY BRIAN GLYN WILLIAMS | FEB. 4, 2010
When the Karzai government announced last week that it would be reinstating Abdul Rashid Dostum, the controversial Uzbek general, as Chief of Staff of the Army, the cries of foul and protest rang loud. But, when it comes to Afghan politics there is usually more than meets the eye, and Dostum's case is no exception. As usual in Afghanistan it involves some back-room deals.
The Devil is in the Details
BY NORINE MACDONALD | FEB. 2, 2010
During last week's London conference, President Karzai unveiled a six-point "Action Plan" designed to turn around the situation in Afghanistan. But how much "action" is really behind the political façade of his six-point plan?
Karzai's Taliban Surprise
BY J ALEXANDER THIER | JAN. 29, 2010
The Afghanistan Conference in London this week was expected to be a just one more in a series of international talk-fests intended as a show of international solidarity with Afghanistan. But Karzai took things a step further -- and took his hosts by surprise -- by using his speech to call for high level negotiations with the Taliban leadership that would result in permanent political reconciliation. Karzai has opened this door repeatedly before, and there have been several attempts to engage Taliban leaders seriously in talks.
Dead Aid for Afghanistan?
BY GERARD RUSSELL | JAN. 27, 2010
Dependence cannot be ended overnight. But President Karzai’s circle is wrong to suppose that it can continue forever. It is far better, for Afghanistan’s long-term future, that they learn this sooner rather than later.
U.S. intelligence briefing: Taliban increasingly effective
BY PETER BERGEN | JAN. 26, 2010
A December 22 briefing, prepared by the top U.S. intelligence official in Afghanistan and obtained by CNN, maps out the strategy and strength of the Taliban and their allies in Afghanistan, and concludes that the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan is increasingly effective.
Images from the most-talked about place of 2009.
A primer on the epicenter of global terrorism.
By Peter Bergen and Katherine Tiedemann
A guide to the most critical readings on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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