Hubertus Hoffman: President Karzai should be removed from the line of fire by going into exile in Europe. His inability to reconcile with the Taliban, 2009’s fraudulent election, and his poor reputation in Pakistan all indicate why he should be leave his position. Afghanistan needs a fresh start with a new government.
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NATO: As the insurgency persists the message from NATO is clear: although lasting longer than anticipated, ISAF’s aims will be achieved and prove sustainable in the long term.
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The US is trying to implement its “reconciliation and reintegration” strategy to start to bring the war in Afghanistan to a close. ++ This will involve dialogues between the US, Pakistan, and various Afghan parties including Karzai and the Taliban. ++ Recent military successes should not distract the US from its ultimate goal of transferring power to Afghan security forces. ++ The US is trying
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The Center for Afghanistan Studies at the University of Nebraska is the only institutional base in the US specifically concerned with Afghan affairs. As director of the center, he plays an integral role in educating the public about Afghanistan.
Previously Mr. Gouttierre has lived and worked for nearly ten years in Afghanistan and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer, a Fulbright Fellow, and
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The international coalition involved in Afghanistan is seriously considering negotiating a peace process with the Taliban in the next international conference in London. ++ The deal is the following one: “renounce violence in order to be part of the democratic process.” ++ This option comes shortly after the recent increase in foreign troops meant to put pressure on Taliban leaders
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German military deployment in Afghanistan is the only way to establish long-lasting stability in the region. ++ The international community is not at war with Afghanistan but supporting the fragile government. ++ “After 30 years of war, the country is too weak…. to pull itself out” of this deep crisis. ++ Only an integrated civil-military strategy including German troops will lead to peace. ++
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The deployment of an additional 17,000 US troops in Afghanistan is a welcome response to the enduring threat of the Taliban. ++ Military might alone, however, is no solution: “defeating the insurgency means understanding it.” ++ State-building and incentives to deter opportunistic insurgents are needed. ++ Pakistani talebanization must also be urgently addressed and the government’s
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The long-term solution to Afghanistan’s security does not lie in sending in new soldiers but in the Afghan army. ++ This army is basic but innovative; its greatest strength is the sense of national identity which governs it. ++ Enlarging its responsibilities should be the key priority of the coalition: the linguistic and ethnic challenges of Afghanistan can be far better overcome by
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