Government and Politics in Afghanistan

Ghani vs. the Strongmen. President Ghani has met obstacle after obstacle in his efforts to establish an efficient, corruption free Afghan government. He has tried to thwart the efforts of the power elite in Afghan society but is meeting fierce resistance. Read more in "Afghanistan's fragile government picks a dangerous fight", The Economist, March 1, 2018.

Recognizing the Realities of Afghan Society.  "It is time for Afghanistan to become politically sustainable by decentralizing democracy outside of Kabul to the provinces". Abdul Waheed Ahmad, an Afghan Fulbright scholar at the State University of New York - Binghamton, provides a new direction to improve sub-national governance in Afghanistan. He previously worked with the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) and the Ministry of Interior (MoI). Read "A Weak State, but a Strong Society in  Afghanistan", War on the Rocks, February 27, 2018.

Olson's Views on Pakistan. Richard G. Olson - a career diplomat, former ambassador to Pakistan, and special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the State Department - is interviewed about the U.S. - Pakistan relationship and the future of Pakistan's support for the Taliban in Afghanistan. Read "Former Envoy Offers a Candid Appraisal of U.S. - Pakistan Ties", Gandhara, February 27, 2018.

The Debate on Alternative Political Systems in Afghanistan. The Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) are publishing a series of papers on changing aspects of the Afghan political system.
http://aiss.af/aiss/news_details/opinions/5a97d12ae3e25

Gov Noor's Big Rally Cancelled. The former governor of the northern Balkh province had planned a huge rally for Kabul but now it appears that is on hold. Noor contends that the rally would interfere with the upcoming Kabul Process meeting. Read more in "Ata Mohammad Noor suspends major rally plan for Kabul city", Khaama Press, February 25, 2018.

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