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Vision for Victory in Afghanistan - Part I
On a recent weeklong visit to Afghanistan sponsored by the U.S. military, Michael O'Hanlon met with Afghan and U.S. officials whose assessments partially countered the current general outlook on the country's status and future. O'Hanlon's visit left him with guarded optimism about U.S. prospects for creating a safe and stable Afghanistan.
Categories: Defense Policy
Afghanistan Victory Crucial for President Obama
In an interview with IBA News, Bruce Riedel discusses President Barack Obama's policy in Afghanistan, emphasizing that victory against Al Qaeda and the Taliban is crucial not only for the stability of Afghanistan itself, but also for Pakistan and the entire Islamic world.
Categories: Defense Policy
Corruption Index Today, Election Tomorrow, Aid Revamp the Day After?
In reaction to news of brazen corruption in Afghanistan and the release of the new Corruption Perceptions Index, Daniel Kaufmann asks tough questions about the relationship between aid and corruption and suggests improvements in how development aid effectiveness is reviewed.
Categories: Defense Policy
Police Reform a Reason for Hope in Afghanistan
Lost in the ongoing Afghanistan debate is a promising effort to foster reform in building the Afghan police force, writes Michael O'Hanlon. Just back from a trip to the country, O'Hanlon notes several areas in which new efforts are encouraging and draws on lessons learned from reforms that occurred coincident with the 2007 surge in Iraq.
Categories: Defense Policy
Election Boycotts Don't Work
Matthew Frankel compares Abdullah Abdullah's withdrawal from Afghanistan's runoff election to other electoral boycotts over the years. Based on independent research of 100 boycotts since 1990, Frankel concludes that they rarely work and often fracture the party involved.
Categories: Defense Policy
U.S. Options in Afghanistan and the Karzai Brothers
Hamid Karzai was declared the winner of the presidential vote in Afghanistan on November 2 and he was quickly warned that he must crack down on rampant corruption. Vanda Felbab-Brown joined several other experts to discuss what should be done about President Karzai's brother, Wali Karzai, who has been linked to Afghanistan's narcotics trade.
Categories: Defense Policy
