Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Events

Policing Afghanistan: A Meeting of the Security Sector Reform Working Group

Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 / Time: 5:30am - 7:30am 

Share This
Print the Page

Despite the $10 billion spent on training, the Afghan police are "the weak link in the security chain," according to Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke. Police expansion is a major component of President Obama's strategy for Afghanistan, but there is widespread concern about this program. USIP's Security Sector Reform Working Group hosted a panel presentation to discuss this issue.

Despite the $10 billion spent on training, the Afghan police are "the weak link in the security chain," according to Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke. Police expansion is a major component of President Obama's strategy for Afghanistan, but there is widespread concern about this program. A panel of experts discussed this issue from their various perspectives.

Speakers

  • Ali Jalali
    Distinguished Professor, National Defense University
    Former Interior Minister of Afghanistan (Jan 2003 - Sep 2005)
  • Mark Schneider
    Senior Vice President, International Crisis Group
  • Federiga Bindi
    Visiting Fellow, The Brookings Institution
    Director of the Jean Monnet European Centre for Excellence
  • Richelle Smockum
    Senior Policy Advisor for Rule of Law, Afghanistan Task Force of Foreign Affairs
    International Trade Canada
  • Robert Perito, Moderator
    Director, Security Sector Reform Working Group, U.S. Institute of Peace

Explore FurtherUSIP Special Report on Afghanistan Police

Related Publications

How Afghanistan’s Economy Can Survive Shrinking Shipments of U.N. Cash Aid

How Afghanistan’s Economy Can Survive Shrinking Shipments of U.N. Cash Aid

Thursday, November 14, 2024

By: William Byrd, Ph.D.

Afghanistan’s precarious economy is facing a new set of multidimensional risks as humanitarian aid — delivered in massive shipments of U.S. cash dollars — shrinks rapidly amid competing demands from other crises around the world. The dollar inflows, moved under U.N. auspices, have helped stabilize the Afghan economy, cover its mammoth trade deficit, and inject monetary liquidity into commerce. With much smaller cash infusions, in line with a general reduction in aid, the suffering of Afghanistan’s poverty-stricken population is likely to increase.

Type: Analysis

Economics;  Global Policy

Where is Afghanistan Three Years into Taliban Rule?

Where is Afghanistan Three Years into Taliban Rule?

Thursday, September 19, 2024

By: Belquis Ahmadi;   Joyana Richer;  Jill Baggerman;  William Byrd, Ph.D.;  Scott Worden

Lacking formal recognition from all member states, the Taliban will not be present at the U.N. General Assembly next week. Their absence speaks volumes about how the international community struggles to constrain a regime that has repeatedly defied U.N. treaties, sanctions and Security Council resolutions. Three years into Taliban rule, the Afghan people are beset by a host of human rights, economic and humanitarian challenges, with women and girls particularly impacted. Meanwhile, the international community still has no clear approach to dealing with the Taliban, with the regime rejecting a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a special envoy to develop a roadmap for normalizing Afghanistan’s relations with the international community.

Type: Question and Answer

Economics;  Gender;  Global Policy;  Human Rights

What an ICC Case on Mali Means for Prosecuting Taliban Gender Crimes

What an ICC Case on Mali Means for Prosecuting Taliban Gender Crimes

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

By: Belquis Ahmadi;  Lauren Baillie;  Grace Luloff

Since the Taliban took power in August 2021, the situation for Afghan women and girls has dramatically deteriorated. Yet there has been little international action, as many in the international community lament the lack of legal, and other, avenues to hold the Taliban accountable for these draconian measures. However, a recent case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) may provide a legal roadmap to prosecute the Taliban.

Type: Analysis

Gender;  Human Rights;  Justice, Security & Rule of Law

View All Publications