Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Events

The Prospects for Peace and Reconciliation in Afghanistan

Date: Monday, May 17, 2010 / Time: 6:00am - 7:30am 

Share This
Print the Page

On May 17, 2010 USIP hosted one of Afghanistan's foremost politicians and diplomats, Abdullah Abdullah. A leading political advisor to Ahmad Shah Masood during the anti-Soviet jihad, and representative of the Northern Alliance during the Taliban era, Dr. Abdullah served as Afghanistan's Foreign Minister from 200-2006. In 2009, Dr. Abdullah ran a highly popular campaign for President of Afghanistan, qualifying for second round run-off election with President Karzai.

What are the prospects for a negotiated settlement to the armed conflict in Afghanistan? Just as the U.S. military is surging forces into southern Afghanistan, discussion about political reconciliation with insurgents is beginning to dominate the international agenda on Afghanistan. President Hamid Karzai has announced his desire to hold talks with top Taliban leaders, and has called for a consultative Peace Jirga this summer to build consensus among groups throughout Afghanistan. But is a peace deal with the one-time hosts to al-Qaeda possible? Will the Afghan groups that fought against the Taliban be willing to welcome them into the government?

Speakers

  • Abdullah Abdullah
    Former Finance Minister of Afghanistan
  • J Alexander Thier
    Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan, U.S. Institute of Peace

Related Publications

How to Support Female Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan

How to Support Female Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

By: Belquis Ahmadi;  Afsana Rahimi

Potential areas of cooperation between the Taliban and the international community, such as private sector development and alternative livelihoods to now-banned opium poppy cultivation, will be on the agenda at a meeting of international envoys for Afghanistan hosted by the United Nations in Doha from June 30 to July 1. Discussions on women’s rights are not included, as the Taliban consider it an internal matter. This is ironic, given that the private sector is one area where the Taliban allow limited women’s participation.

Type: Analysis

Economics;  Gender

As Taliban Poppy Ban Continues, Afghan Poverty Deepens

As Taliban Poppy Ban Continues, Afghan Poverty Deepens

Thursday, June 20, 2024

By: William Byrd, Ph.D.

Afghanistan, historically the leading source of the world’s illegal opium, is on-track for an unprecedented second year of dramatically reduced poppy cultivation, reflecting the Taliban regime’s continuing prohibition against growing the raw material for opiates. The crackdown has won plaudits in international circles, but its full implications call for clear-eyed analysis and well considered responses by the U.S. and others. The ban has deepened the poverty of millions of rural Afghans who depended on the crop for their livelihoods, yet done nothing to diminish opiate exports, as wealthier landowners sell off inventories. The unfortunate reality is that any aid mobilized to offset harm from the ban will be grossly insufficient and ultimately wasted unless it fosters broad-based rural and agricultural development that benefits the most affected poorer households. 

Type: Analysis

Economics

View All Publications