The Afghanistan Security Transition: the Role and Importance of Afghanistan's Neighbors
On April 6, USIP convened a panel of regional experts to discuss how Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors – Pakistan, Iran, and the bordering Central Asian Republics – view the present situation and impending security transition in Afghanistan, and what their role and policies are likely to be between now and 2014, and beyond.
As the 2014 security transition in Afghanistan approaches, multiple tracks need to be pursued to ensure sustainable peace in the country. A regional solution is often touted as a critical element in achieving such a peace. Without collaborative buy-in for such a solution, however, the potential increases that Afghanistan’s neighbors will play a destabilizing role in the country given their own domestic and international objectives. Despite much debate on this issue, the core interests policies, and views of Afghanistan’s neighboring states are still not well understood.
On April 6, USIP convened a panel of regional experts for a conversation on how Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors – Pakistan, Iran, and the bordering Central Asian Republics – view the present situation and impending security transition in Afghanistan, and what their role and policies are likely to be between now and 2014, and beyond. The panelists discussed measures the U.S. and other allies can take to incentivize policies of cooperation and collaboration from these neighbors with the ultimate objective of promoting stability in Afghanistan. USIP works on the ground in Afghanistan and Pakistan to promote the nonviolent resolution of conflicts and build local capacity to prevent and address disputes through nonviolent means.
This event featured the following speakers:
- Abubakar Siddique, panelist
Senior News Correspondent
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - Shahrbanou Tadjbakhsh, panelist
Associate Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo
Professor MPA/Sciences Po (Paris) - Alireza Nader, panelist
Senior International Policy Analyst
RAND Corporation - Moeed Yusuf, moderator
South Asia Adviser
United States Institute of Peace
Explore Further
- Read more about the event discussion
- Learn more about USIP's work in Afghanistan
- Learn more about USIP's work in Pakistan
- Read the Peacebrief, "Myths and Misconceptions in the Afghan Transition"
- Read the Peace Works, "Beyond Power-sharing: Institutional Options for an Afghan Peace Process"
- Read the Peacebrief, "Pakistan, the United States and the End Game in Afghanistan: Perceptions of Pakistan's Foreign Policy Elite"
Related Academy Courses
- Governance and Democratic Practices in War-to-Peace Transitions
- Supporting Police Reform: Capacity Building for Advisers and Trainers
- Rule of Law Practitioners Course
