Afghanistan: Challenges and a Way Forward
Distinguished Speaker Series
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Friday, January 18, 2008
After decades of civil conflict, Afghanistan is making progress on the road to rebuilding its economy and slowly, perhaps too slowly, strengthening its institutions and rule of law. The US and the international community are committed to helping Afghanistan rebuild, however many challenges remain. To discuss these challenges and the road ahead for Afghanistan, The American Academy of Diplomacy, in partnership with the World Affairs Council of DC, hosted a well-attended Distinguished Speaker Event on January 18, 2008, which featured the Hon. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. Academy President, Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann served as moderator. Dr. Abduallah was formerly the Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Neumann was the US ambassador to Afghanistan from 2005-2007.
Dr. Abdullah spoke of the country’s many challenges, including poverty and civil violence, the need for job creation and the need to establish rule of law and governance in the country, the Taliban, a growing opium trade, and Afghan refugees in Iran. Notably, Dr. Abdullah said that the perception of security is in question if Afghanistan, and that in some ways, the national police force is seen as a liability in the country. As such, he called for the US to expand its presence in Afghanistan. In response to a question posed by the Voice of America regarding the future of the Taliban in the long-term, Dr. Abdullah said that the agenda of the Taliban is rejected by the people of Afghanistan, but they are afraid. Regarding the progress of plans to counter the narcotics trade, Abdullah pointed out that as long as a sustainable program and future plan for Afghan farmers is not developed, there can be no long-term solution to the opium issue.
The need for the Afghan government to strengthen governance and institutions was a major theme in Dr. Abdullah’s speech. In terms of the next steps to be taken, he said that devolution of power from the central government is needed to contribute toward national stability. The ultimate goal, he said, would be to continue to have free and fair elections in the country.
Other pressing issues were discussed, such as public health infrastructure, of vital importance for national security. Despite progress, however, the funds available to improve that infrastructure are not yet sufficient. Regarding international troops in the country, Dr. Abdullah said that foreign troops are still welcome by the majority of Afghans, but the international community is also frustrated. This frustration and the complex issues Afghanistan faces pose a challenge to future levels of support for the country’s steps forward.
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