“This is a critical year for Afghanistan,” said Jelani Popal, founding director of Afghanistan’s Independent Directorate of Local Governance. In a discussion at the United States Institution for Peace, Popal explained that the key issue for creating peace in Afghanistan was to set up a more stable local governing system.

Afghanistan has a “strong central government” in Kabul, but it needs to build a strong local government, said Popal. Fifty percent of all Afghanis live in tiny villages with populations fewer than 300. The largest challenge for Afghanistan is to delegate authority local providences, municipalities and districts throughout the country.

There are several roadblocks to creating this system. Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic country, where 60 percent of its population is under 25 years old. There are many tribal conflicts within the country, and drug dealers and the Taliban have been able to regain control of several areas. Still, Popal was optimistic of the situation and believed peace and stability could be restored within five to 10 years. “If a…previous Taliban wants to have civil life and be loyal the Constitution of Afghanistan and he wants to be part of the system, then he is most welcome,” said Popal.

Foreign policy analyst at the Cato Institute Malou Innocent discusses how the Taliban and al-Qaida have been able to takeover the tribal lands on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan.(0:30)

 

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During a conference call from the Middle East Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) says that while the Taliban activities have increased in Afghanistan so has the ability of the U.S. coalition to deal with them. He also speaks about the problems found in southern Afghanistan on the border with Pakistan where militants are able to cross into Afghanistan. (0:53)

 

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In a conference call with reporters, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that the U.S. had a presence in Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001. He said that all the attention was diverted to Iraq and that Afghanistan might be better off had more attention been paid to that conflict. (0:28)

 

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Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama gave a speech on U.S. foreign policy, national security and strategy in Iraq at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington D.C. Obama was introduced by Wilson Center director Lee Hamilton who started jovially referencing an incident where Obama had to show ID at a DC gym. (more…)

Four star General Dan McNeil, commander of both U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan said that the Afghan government should be able to successfully hold free elections next year. He said that things are going very well on the ground and that the Afghan people are starting to take control of their country. He said that since 2006 the number of military recruits has grown from 600 per month to around 4,000 in 2008. He also said that the national security force has swelled to nearly 60,000 soldiers.

McNeil said that the one of the major problems facing Afghanistan is narcotics trafficking. He said that around 40% of all weaponry is purchased with money made from narcotics. He said that reducing the sale of narcotics is an issue that must be dealt with by the Afghan government and it is one of the biggest challenges the country must overcome on the road to complete independence.

He said that NATO is doing a good job in Afghanistan but that they could do more and should do more. He said that without help from an outside source, at least for the time being, the Afghans will not be able to remain independent.

The attack on Karzai was launched from this building

The Afghan National Police seal off a street where a firefight is occurring

Houses surrounding Kabul

Afghan National Police after the firefight

For more photos from Richard’s time in Afghanistan go to our Flickr Page!

Reviewing stand where President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai was attacked

Building from which attack on Karzai was launched

(more…)

Testifying at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and Southeast Asia, retired Lt. General David W. Barno explains the nature of “the new Taliban.” (0:26)

 

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At a hearing entitled “U.S. Policy Options in Post-Election Pakistan,” Negroponte discusses the threat posed by violence spreading out of the “FATA” (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) into the ’settled’ areas. However, he also notes the recent election and other indications from the Pakistani people of their interest in stability, democracy, and combating such threats of violence within their borders. (0:39)

 

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