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Despite international efforts to secure and rebuild Afghanistan, the country appears to be locked in a state of emergency. Intensified international cooperation and closely coordinated action is certainly needed. What do you recommend? What should be the priorities in Afghanistan in 2009?

1. Sending more police trainers and mentors with language and cultural knowledge to Afghanistan.

Having only been trained for 1½ years, the Afghan National Police lacks the knowledge and skills to provide security in local areas. Rebuilding security must be carried out by Afghans as the local population would not accept foreign intervention, argues Morgan Sheeran, a veteran of the US Armed Forces who has served a tour in Afghanistan as a trainer. Germany, as the leading nation in training Afghan law enforcement officials, must increase its number of trainers. Florian Broschk, a lecturer in Islamic Studies who has also served four tours with ISAF in Afghanistan, points out that cultural misunderstandings should not be underestimated as they hinder troops from successfully communicating the purpose of their mission. A better understanding of the needs of Afghans would help foreign governments to assess the situation on the ground and adjust their strategy.

2. Sending more US troops.

The surge as proposed by President-elect Obama would not only support the stabilization of the country, but would also contribute more effectively to reconstruction efforts. The EU should also send additional troops, supporting the efforts of the US.

3. Addressing the Pakistani-Indian conflict is the backdrop to securing Afghanistan.

The international community must pressure Pakistan to end its support for extremist groups. Pakistan fears its influence in Afghanistan being limited by a US-Indian-Afghan alliance, notes Ahmed Rashid, acclaimed author and Central Asia expert. To ease the tension between Pakistan and India, the US should push for negotiations and participate as a mediator.

4. The EU must intensify its reconstruction activities.

The EU should give Afghanistan's economy a boost by intensifying its involvement in creating jobs, industries and infrastructure. Daniel Korski, senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, who also led the Basra Reconstruction Team, argues that a two year C-PRT (Capital Reconstruction Team) led by the EU should devote itself to reconstructing Kabul. Afghan Ambassador Zulfacar suggests that more aid for agricultural projects is necessary as 70 percent of Afghanistan's population lives in rural areas. Irrigation projects and micro-credits for farmers would make them more self-reliant.

5. The international community must cooperate with Afghanistan's neighbors to combat the drug economy.

Fighting poppy cultivation is impossible without assisting those of Afghanistan's neighbors who suffer from a large number of drug addicts, like Iran, to combat their drug problem. The high regional demand for opium makes it even more attractive for farmers to cultivate narcotic drugs. Undermining the drug economy would deprive terrorist groups of a large source of their income, points out Sepideh Parsa, editorial intern at atlantic-community.org.

6. Building an educational system should be a priority of international efforts.

Afghanistan has one of the highest illiteracy rates worldwide. Additional aid to support the education strategy is desperately needed. Schools must be built as at present over 5000 schools have no buildings. Additional teachers must also be trained. Ambassador Malhia Zulfacar argues that the international community should provide technical and vocational schools, giving young Afghans the opportunity to learn basic skills that are needed in the country.

7. Negotiations with regional actors are ineluctable.

Afghanistan's security situation is dependent on its neighbors. The international community should negotiate with Iran and Pakistan to ensure that they do not provide weapons to foreign fighters in Afghanistan. Both countries, but particularly Iran, should be financially supported as they grant asylum to millions of Afghan refugees.

8. The international community should support talks with the Taliban.

The Taliban are factionalized. Talking to Taliban insurgents who are willing to compromise could be an efficient way of "dividing and conquering the Afghan insurgencies," argues Niklas Keller, former intern at atlantic-community.org. The Taliban are still the major political force for the Pashtuns, which constitute 40 percent of the Afghan population. This figure should be taken seriously, as it demonstrates that succeeding in Afghanistan without negotiating with the Taliban is unlikely.

9. Improve aid effectiveness.

Aid is crucial to Afghanistan's development, but much of it is used ineffectively or inefficiently. Western aid should be adjusted to meet Afghanistan's national development priorities. Furthermore, it would be helpful to establish a UN commission that monitors and coordinates aid flows.

10. The international community must support the upcoming elections in Afghanistan.

Free and fair election would allow Afghans to change their leadership peacefully and give them a sense of democratic ownership, which is essential for nation building and the democratic process, states Daoud Sultanzoy, an Afghan Member of Parliament in Afghanistan's National Assembly. Afghans should also be assisted in electing a president with strong leadership skills who can take action in rebuilding the country.

Please choose up to three measures which you think should be the priority. Should you have other suggestions not covered in the poll, please discuss them below.

Written by Sepideh Parsa