DOCSLIB.ORG

Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter, Feb.19-25

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter, Feb.19-25 Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter, Feb.19-25 Electioneering gains momentum in east By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Feb 19, 2014 - 19:12 JALALABAD/ASADABAD (Pajhwok): Campaign rallies Special people fault candidates’ priorities were organised on Wednesday in eastern Nangarhar and By Hadi Ghafari & Zabihullah Ihsas Feb 19, 2014 - 18:03 Kunar provinces in support of three presidential candidates. There were two separate gatherings in MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): People with Nangarhar, one supporting Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf and disabilities in northern Balkh province on Wednesday another Gul Agha Sherzai. The rally supporting Sayyaf complained none of the 11 presidential candidates has was arranged by Meshrano Jirga Chairman Fazl Hadi any policy on promoting their civil, political, social, Muslimyar. economic and cultural rights. Thousands of people attended the gathering, voicing The views were expressed at a gathering arranged by unflinching support to Sayyaf, a veteran former jihadi the Social and Culture Association of People with commander. Muslimyar called Sayyaf a globally Disabilities at the provincial office of the Afghanistan recognised religious scholar, saying he was the right man to protect the country at this sensitive juncture. “We Independent Human Rights Commission in should take part in the elections and if we did not, the Mazar-i-Sharif. A large number of disabled people success will never be achieved,” the Senate chairman attended the gathering. urged the people of Nangarhar. The gathering was The association head, Syed Mohammad Yazdan attended by a large number of tribal elders, religious Parast, told Pajhwok Afghan News 18 days into elec- scholars and customs police commanders. tioneering, no presidential candidate had so far re- Similarly, a separate gathering in Jalalabad, the provincial vealed his policy on the rights of people with disabili- capital, supported Gul Agha Sherzai, the former governor. ties. The Youth Council head, Noor Agha Zwak, told Pajhwok “So far we could not hear a candidate speaking about the rally was organised with fund raised by the youth. the disabled, so that we can think over that before “Sherzai is known to everyone. He has been a successful casting our votes.” He continued all candidates were governor in Nangarhar,” he said, vowing complete support to Sherzai. In eastern Kunar, hundreds of people attended yet to speak about social and economic problems be- a rally, voicing support to presidential candidate Dr. ing faced by the disabled. Zalmai Rassoul, formerly foreign minister in the President Under the country’s laws, he argued, the disabled Karzai’s cabinet. were entitled to exercise their civil, political, social, Wolesi Jirga member and campaigner for Rassoul, Haji economic and cultural rights like others, calling on the Sakhi Mashwanai, said around 300 people attended the presidential hopefuls to present their policies in this campaign rally. regard. Link: Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/19/special- http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/19/electioneering- people-fault-candidates%E2%80%99-priorities gains-momentum-east http://www.pajhwok.com Page 1 http://www.elections.pajhwok.com/www.vote.af Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter MoI spokesman Siddiqui Siddique told Pajhwok Afghan News that Abdullah’s campaign convoy was returning from Sarobi to the central capital when it came under attack at around 4:40pm. No one in the convoy got hurt, he said, adding Abdullah had reached his residence safe. One of Abdullah’s campaigners, Syed Aqa Hussaini, wrote on his Facebook page there was no attack, Rallies held in support of Ghani, Abdullah By Pajhwok reporter Feb 19, 2014 - 18:57 calling reports in this regard a rumour. He said there might have been gunfire in the area, but KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Big rallies were organized on Abdullah’s team had not been targeted. On Feb 2, Wednesday in support of presidential candidates Ashraf two campaigners for Abdullah, a former foreign Ghani Ahmadzai and Dr. Abdullah Abduallah in northern minister, were killed by unknown gunmen in western Kunduz and Takhar provinces. Herat province. Haji Malik Mohammad, chief of the Zakhil tribe, said they Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/19/abdullah% backed Ghani as presidential contender because he was E2%80%99s-convoy-comes-under-attack-sarobi well-educated and experienced enough to pull country out of problems. 23 Paktia polling stations under threat Similarly, another rally was held in support of Dr. By Sahel Mangal Feb 20, 2014 - 14:53 Abdullah. Hamidullah, a supporter of candidate, said: “The number of Dr. Abdullah’s supporter is high in Kunduz. GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Security officials in southeastern People have been thronging our campaign office.” Paktia province on Thursday said 23 polling stations were But Gul Nazar said: “We are here to support Ghani and still under high threat from insurgents. Gen. Dostum because both leaders have the ability to Brig. Gen. Zalmai Oryakhel, the provincial police chief, resolve our problems.” Dostum had been enjoying more told Pajhwok Afghan News of the 212 polling stations support in Takhar, he claimed. across the province, 23 were insecure. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/19/rallies-held- However, he promised his forces would adopt stringent support-ghani-abdullah measures to protect the polling stations from the insurgent threat in the near future. “Afghan security forces have launched a joint offensive and are trying to secure as many polling stations as possible till the elections,” he added. The insecure polling stations, he said, were located in Janikhel, Syed Karam, Zazai Aryub, Laja Mangal and Zurmat districts. Paktia did not face any big security challenge that could disrupt the process, he said. Col. Itbar Shah Shinwari, the Waza Zadran district chief, said: “We have held talks with local elders, who have assured us of all-out cooperation in holding peaceful elections.” Afghan National Army (ANA), police and intelligence officials had a heavy presence in the province and were striving to bolster security ahead of the April 5 polls, he added. Abdullah’s convoy comes under attack in Sarobi Rehmatullah Haqmal, the provincial election commission By Painda Hikmat Feb 19, 2014 - 18:26 head, expressed optimism the number of insecure polling stations would decrease. KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Interior (MoI) on “We are ready to send our officials for discharging their Wednesday said gunmen attacked a convoy carrying duties as soon as security is restored around insecure presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and his polling stations,” he concluded. supporters in the Sarobi district of Kabul province. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/20/23-paktia-polling- stations-under-threat http://www.pajhwok.com Page 2 http://www.elections.pajhwok.com Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter Election officials accused of partiality By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Feb 20, 2014 - 17:39 JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Campaigners for presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in the eastern Nangarhar province on Thursday accused some officials of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of backing particular contenders. Extremists out to sabotage peace: Masood They levelled the allegations while inaugurating Ghani By Abasin Zaheer Feb 20, 2014 - 16:11 Ahmadzai’s elections campaign office in Jalalabad. The KABUL (Pajhwok): Ahmad Zia Masood, presidential run- event was attended by thousands of people, including ner Dr. Zalmai Rassoul’s choice for first vice-president, on local elders and religious leaders. Thursday alleged some extremist circles outside Afghani- stan were trying to disrupt peace in Afghanistan. Participants announced their unflinching support to Addressing a campaign rally, arranged in his support by a Ahmadzai in the April 5 electoral fray, said Ehsanullah pro-development and democracy alliance, he said some Kamil, campaign manager. foreign forces were out to sabotage peace efforts in Af- ghanistan. Masood added the country had faced tremen- Thousands of local elders, religious scholars, jihadi dous challenges throughout its history. Without naming commanders and people of the area assured support to the any country, he accused some neighbours of interfering in presidential hopeful, a world-renowned economist, Kamil the internal affairs of Afghanistan. remarked. He said the country direly needed to build close ties with Haji Abdul Zaher Qadeer, Wolesi Jirga member from the international community to get rid of foreign interfer- Nangarhar, said Ghani Ahmadzai was the most favourite ence and achieve economic stability. presidential runner. “The people of this eastern province International support was imperative at the present critical will vote for him,” he hoped. juncture in terms of security because Afghan forces could not ensure full security on their own, Massoud argued. He assailed President Hamid Karzai for failing to ensure If the team headed by Rassoul succeeded in elections, he peace in the country and even his home province promised, an era of good governance and vast investment Kandahar was continuously haunted by war and fighting. would dawn in the country. “On the other hand, Dr. Ghani Ahmadzai has discharged He said youth would be given the lion’s share in politics his duties diligently both as finance minister and vice and those who had been promoting personal interest would chancellor of the Kabul University,” he noted. be sidelined. “If we win the elections, a new era of eco- nomic stability will be ushered in.” http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/20/election-officials- Massoud urged militants to shun violence and take part in accused-partiality politics to rebuild their country. “Fighting cannot resolve http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/20/extremists-out-sabotage -peace-masood http://www.pajhwok.com Page 3 http://www.elections.pajhwok.com Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter Election campaign to foster unity: One scholar, Maulvi Nasrullah Qasimi told participants including the tribal elders, women activists and civil society members that Islam gives women the right to participate in KABUL (Pajhwok): President Hamid Karzai on polls.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • DEWS Weekly Report 17Th March 2014.Pdf (English)
    March 17, 2014 DISEASE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM WER-10 (8th Yr) WEEKLY EPIDEMIOLOGICAL REPORT Summary: The surveillance data collected for this week report is from 8 -14 March 2014. Out of 378 functional Sentinel sites (SS), 378 (100%) have submitted reports for Week-10 of 2014. Out of a total of 305,464 consultations (132,113 male, 173,351 female) recorded in Week-10 of 2014, 32.2 % or 98,380 (47,536 male, 50,844 female) consultations were reported due to DEWS target diseases. Main causes of consultations this week were Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) (28.9%) and Acute Diarrheal Diseases (ADD) (6.1%) from total clients in a continuing trend from the week before. 69 (44 male, 25 female) deaths resulted from Pneumonia, Diarrheal Diseases and Meningitis/Severely Ill Children, which includes 64 deaths (40 male, 24 female) caused by Pneumonia, no deaths caused by Diarrheal Diseases and 5 deaths (4 male, 1 female) caused by Meningitis/Severely Ill Children. In this reporting week, a Suspected Measles Outbreak reported from Paktya and Paktika provinces, a Rumor of Mumps Outbreak and a Suspected Measles Outbreak reported from Nangarhar province. Reports Received From Reporting Sites: As of March 14, 2014, 378 sentinel sites were functioning in eight epidemiological regions, in 34 provinces of Afghanistan. In this reporting week, 378 sentinel sites have sent their reports on new cases of DEWS target diseases recorded during the reporting week. Out of all events recorded in DEWS sentinel sites, 15 target diseases (priority diseases) are included in DEWS weekly epidemiological reports. Table-1: Status of Reports Received from DEWS Regions during Epidemiological Week-10, 2014 Region Central Central East Central West North North East West South East South East Total No.
    [Show full text]
  • The a to Z Guide to Afghanistan Assistance
    The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit The A to Z Guide to Afghanistan Assistance 2nd Edition, August 2003 Writer: Shawna Wakefield Editor: Christina Bennett, Kathleen Campbell With special thanks to: Kristen Krayer, Nellika Little, Mir Ahmad Joyenda Cover illustration: Parniyan Design and Printing: The Army Press © 2003 The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU). All rights reserved. Preface This is the second edition of The A to Z Guide to Afghanistan Assistance. Our first edition was brought out one year ago at a time of great change in Afghanistan. At that time, coordination mechanisms and aid processes were changing so fast that old hands and new arrivals alike were sometimes overwhelmed by the multiplicity of acronyms and references to structures and entities that had been recently created, abolished or re-named. Eighteen months after the fall of the Taliban and the signing of the Bonn Agreement, there are still rapid new developments, a growing complexity to the reconstruction effort and to planning processes and, of course, new acronyms! Our aim therefore remains to provide a guide to the terms, structures, mechanisms and coordinating bodies critical to the Afghanistan relief and reconstruction effort to help ensure a shared vocabulary and common understanding of the forces at play. We’ve also included maps and a contact directory to make navigating the assistance community easier. This 2nd edition also includes a section called “Resources,” containing information on such things as media organisations, security information, and Afghanistan-related web sites. Another new addition is a guide to the Afghan government. As the objective of so many assistance agencies is to support and strengthen government institutions, we felt that understanding how the Afghan government is structured is important to working in the current environment.
    [Show full text]
  • In Afghanistan Norwegians Repair Vital Afghan Well Courtesy Article by ISAF KABUL, Afghanistan (Feb
    NATO force modernization sets sights on future MARCH 2009 ANSF cooperation pg 5 Cover photo by Sgt. Michael Armstrong Contents Freedom Watch Staff March 2009 Commander, 40th Public Affairs Det. Army Maj. Mark Lastoria 40th PAD NCOIC Prison guards Army Sgt. Michael Armstrong learn tactics from Editor/Print NCO 6 servicemembers Army Cpl. John Zumer Layout Editor Army Pfc. Derek Kuhn Associate Layout Editor Army Spc. Borris Shiloff Staff Writer Army Pfc. Kimberley Cole 14 Staff Writer Army Pv2. Cody Thompson Afghan infant saved Associate Staff Writer Army Pfc. Rachelle Cornwell The Freedom Watch magazine is a monthly publication of the 40th PAD and Combined Joint Task Force 101. Commander, CJTF-101 18 Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser Public Affairs Director, CJTF-101 Road opens in Konar Army Lt. Col. Rumi Nielson-Green Freedom Watch, a U.S. Department of Defense publication, is published the first Monday of every month by the 40th PAD located in Bldg. 815 F, Camp Dragon Village at Bagram Army Air Field, Afghani- stan. Printed circulation is 10,000 copies per month. In accordance with DoD Instruction 5120.4, this DoD magazine is an authorized publication for members of 21 the U.S. military overseas. Contents of the Freedom Watch are not necessarily the official view of, or en- dorsed by, the U.S. government or the Department of Chosin on the ground, Defense. Soldiers ready for action All submissions are subject to editing by the 40th PAD, which can be reached at DSN 318-481-6367 or via email at [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Algemeen Ambtsbericht Afghanistan Juli 2010
    Algemeen ambtsbericht Afghanistan Juli 2010 Directie Consulaire Zaken en Migratiebeleid Afdeling Asiel, Hervestiging en Terugkeer Inhoudsopgave Pagina 1 Inleiding 4 2 Landeninformatie 5 2.1 Basisgegevens 5 2.1.1 Land en volk 5 2.1.2 Geschiedenis 9 2.1.3 Staatsinrichting 13 2.2 Politieke ontwikkelingen 18 2.3 Afghaanse veiligheidsorganisaties 22 2.3.1 Afghan National Army 22 2.3.2 Afghan National Police 23 2.3.3 Veiligheidsdienst NDS 26 2.3.4 Burgermilities 27 2.4 Internationale militaire presentie 28 2.5 Machtsfactoren 30 2.5.1 Taliban 32 2.5.2 Jalaluddin Haqqani 34 2.5.3 Hezb-i-Islami 35 2.5.4 Ontwapening, demobilisatie en re-integratie 36 2.6 Veiligheidssituatie 37 2.6.1 Bescherming tegen geweld 38 2.6.2 Doelwitten 38 2.6.3 Burgerslachtoffers 39 2.6.4 Gedwongen rekrutering en ronseling 41 2.6.5 Regionale verdeling veiligheidsincidenten 41 3 Mensenrechten 46 3.1 Juridische context 46 3.1.1 Verdragen en protocollen 46 3.1.2 Nationale wetgeving 46 3.2 Toezicht 48 3.2.1 Mensenrechtencommissie AIHCR 49 3.2.2 Transitional Justice 50 3.3 Naleving en schendingen 53 3.3.1 Vrijheid van meningsuiting 53 3.3.2 Vrijheid van vereniging en vergadering 56 3.3.3 Vrijheid van godsdienst en overtuiging 56 3.3.4 Bewegingsvrijheid en documenten 59 3.3.5 Rechtsgang 62 3.3.6 Arrestaties en detentie 64 3.3.7 Foltering, mishandeling en bedreiging 66 3.3.8 Ontvoeringen 67 3.3.9 Buitengerechtelijke executies en moorden 67 3.3.10 Doodstraf 68 3.4 Positie van specifieke groepen 69 3.4.1 Politieke opposanten en mensenrechtenactivisten 69 3.4.2 Etnische groepen 70
    [Show full text]
  • Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter, April 23-29
    Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter, April 23-29 Vote recounting process in Balkh completed By ‌Zabihullah‌Ihsas Apr 23, 2014 - 14:23 MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) on Wednesday said recount process of the April 5 election votes in northern Balkh province completed while the votes of three ballot boxes invalidated. Provincial IECC chief Mohammad Anabi told Pajhwok Afghan News the recounting process of votes in 27 polling centres was started last week which had been completed. He said 16 of the polling centres were quarantined in the wake of complaints while 11 others were ordered by the IECC main office to be quarantined for review. Most of the quarantined ballot boxes were from UNAMA lauds efforts at vote transparency Mazar-I-Sharif, the provincial capital and Zaree, Chamtal By Pajhwok‌Report Apr 23, 2014 - 13:56 and Charbolak districts of the province. The ballot boxes have recounted due to technical problems but there was KABUL (Pajhwok):The UN Assistance Mission in less chance of invalidating them. Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Wednesday it was encouraged “Some of the boxes did not had result sheets while some of by steps taken by the two Afghan national electoral them had their seals broken. Some other ballot boxes had institutions to continuously increase transparency around lack of stamps,” he said, adding the reviewed report of the the counting of votes. “The Afghan electoral institutions ballot boxes have sent to the main office for final decision. should be commended for their efforts to make the Ballot boxes of those centers have cancelled where the electoral process more transparent than ever before," voting process was continued when the official time was said Ján Kubiš, Secretary-General’s Special expired, he concluded.
    [Show full text]
  • Rents, Patronage, and Defection: State-Building and Insurgency in Afghanistan
    Rents, Patronage, and Defection: State-building and Insurgency in Afghanistan Anand Gopal Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2017 © 2017 Anand Gopal All rights reserved ABSTRACT Rents, Patronage, and Defection: State-building and Insurgency in Afghanistan Anand Gopal Afghanistan has been one of the most protracted conflicts modern era, but theories of civil war onset fail to explain the war’s causes or its patterns of violence. This thesis examines the origins of the post-2001 period of the conflict through the perspective of state formation; although many civil wars today unfold in newly-forming states, the processes of center-periphery relations and elite incorporation have been little studied in the context of political violence. The thesis first describes how Afghanistan’s embeddedness in the international state system and global markets undermined the nascent state’s efforts to centralize and bureaucratize, leading instead to warlordism and neopatrimonialism. Second, it demonstrates that the development of an insurgency after 2001 was due not to ethnic grievance or rebel opportunities for profit, but rather to the degree to which local elites were excluded from state patronage. Third, it examines the role of ideology and social position in the Afghan Taliban movement. The dissertation seeks to offer a theory of political violence in Afghanistan that can, mutatis mutandis, help explain key features of civil war
    [Show full text]
  • Lucy Morgan Edwards to the University of Exeter As a Thesis for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Politics by Publication, in March 2015
    Western support to warlords in Afghanistan from 2001 - 2014 and its effect on Political Legitimacy Submitted by Lucy Morgan Edwards to the University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Politics by Publication, in March 2015 This thesis is available for Library use on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. I certifythat all the material in this thesis which is not my own work has been identified and that no material has previously been submitted or approved for the award of a degree by this or any other University. !tu ?"\J�� Signature. ... .......................L�Uv) ......... ...!} (/......................., ................................................ 0 1 ABSTRACT This is an integrative paper aiming to encapsulate the themes of my previously published work upon which this PhD is being assessed. This work; encompassing several papers and various chapters of my book are attached behind this essay. The research question, examines the effect of Western support to warlords on political legitimacy in the post 9/11 Afghan war. I contextualise the research question in terms of my critical engagement with the literature of strategists in Afghanistan during this time. Subsequently, I draw out themes in relation to the available literature on warlords, politics and security in Afghanistan. I highlight the value of thinking about these questions conceptually in terms of legitimacy. I then introduce the published work, summarising the focus of each paper or book chapter. Later, a ‘findings’ section addresses how the policy of supporting warlords has affected legitimacy through its impact on security and stability, the political settlement and ultimately whether Afghans choose to accept the Western-backed project in Afghanistan, or not.
    [Show full text]
  • Country of Origin Information Report: AFGHANISTAN
    COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT AFGHANISTAN 29 AUGUST 2008 UK Border Agency COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION SERVICE AFGHANISTAN 29 AUGUST 2008 Contents Preface Latest News EVENTS IN AFGHANISTAN FROM 15 AUGUST TO 29 AUGUST 2008 REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN PUBLISHED OR ACCESSED SINCE 15 AUGUST 2008 Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY........................................................................................1.01 Maps .............................................................................................. 1.08 2. ECONOMY............................................................................................ 2.01 3. HISTORY.............................................................................................. 3.01 Overview to December 2001........................................................ 3.01 Post-Taliban.................................................................................. 3.02 Presidential election 9 October 2004 and the new Cabinet...... 3.08 Parliamentary and provincial elections 18 September 2005 .... 3.10 Afghanistan Compact 31 January 2006...................................... 3.14 4. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ..................................................................... 4.01 5. CONSTITUTION..................................................................................... 5.01 6. POLITICAL SYSTEM .............................................................................. 6.01 Overview ......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • February 2012 | VOLUME - 5 ISSUE - 31
    1 Monthly Risk Summary Monthly Risk Summary Afghanistan February 2012 | VOLUME - 5 ISSUE - 31 2-5 Executive Summary 53-71 Political 119 Afghanistan Map Situation SIMS Incident Health & Natural Security Advice & 6-28 Reporting 72-96 Hazards 120 Capabilities 29-36 Crime Topics 97-109 Business News Infrastructural & 37-52 Security News 110-117 Reconstruction Development February 2012 2 Monthly Risk Summary Executive Summary RISK SNAPSHOT Sims Incidents Criminial Activity Security Situation Political Situation Health & Natural Hazards Winter took its toll on the lives of Afghans as people perished in many parts of the country due to cold weather and avalanches. Heavy snowfall led to avalanch- es and blocked roads especially in Northern provinces in Afghanistan. Heavy rain- fall and floods added to the misery of Afghans. The heat of the Quran burning issue spread across the nation, making the lives of Afghan citizens even more miserable. Even though U.S authorities, including U.S President Barrack Obama, apologised on 21 February regarding the burning at a U.S military base of religious texts, which contained extremist contents, violent demonstrations marred the lives of many Afghans. That said, the NATO force pullout plan and handing over of the duties to Afghan forces was the main talking point of the month. Pullout Plans As part of the withdrawal plan, U.S Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on 1 Feb announced the intention to hand the lead combat role to Afghan Forces next year. This is a significant development for Afghanistan, considering the controversial U.S-led night raids which have caused much controversy.
    [Show full text]
  • Strategic SSI - Afghanistan
    Strategic SSI - Afghanistan DAILY SITUATION REPORT 29 MAY 2010 SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES RELEVANT TO SSSI PERSONNEL AND CLIENTS Various Threat Reports were received of possible attacks in Kabul over the past few days. A number of these reports indicate that the insurgents are planning a spectacular attack to be conducted before or during the planned Peace Jirga – scheduled for 02 to 04 Jun 10 in Kabul. The Peace Jirga will draw attention to the western part of the city where the event will take place, and the focus will be on the Kabul Polytechnic University and the Intercontinental Hotel. However, there will be a large number of international media in the city, and any incident in the city will provide the insurgents with immediate propaganda in the international mass media. Therefore, any target of opportunity may be attacked. The higher the profile of the target, the more propaganda value the insurgents will gain. It should be accepted that the insurgents are aware of this opportunity, and will most likely plan to exploit the situation. MAJOR COUNTRY WIDE EVENTS Badghis: During a joint Nuristan: Approx 300 Ins from IM/ANSF operation 7 x Ins TTP moved in from Pakistan to KIA and 8 x Ins WIA take over control on Nargh-E Matal District. Fire Fights ongoing in district Khost: Insurgents attacked and overran a District Administrative Centre Privileged and Confidential 1 This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law.
    [Show full text]
  • No Easy Exit: Drugs and Counternarcotics Policies in Afghanistan
    NO EASY EXIT: DRUGS AND COUNTERNARCOTICS POLICIES IN AFGHANISTAN No Easy Exit: Drugs and Counternarcotics Policies in Afghanistan Vanda Felbab-Brown Brookings Institution Improving Global Drug Policy: Comparative Perspectives and UNGASS 2016 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Key Findings • Afghanistan’s illicit drug economy is unprecedented in its scale and has been deeply entrenched within the coun- try since the 1980s. • Temporary decreases in poppy cultivation and heroin production, driven by market forces, acts of nature, or policies, have not been sustained or sustainable. • Structural drivers of the illicit drug economy—insecurity, political struggles, and a lack of economic alterna- tives—remain unaddressed and cannot easily be overcome for years to come. • Although the illicit drug economy exacerbates insecurity, strengthens corruption, produces macroeconomic dis- tortions, and contributes to drug use, it also provides a vital lifeline for many Afghans and enhances their human security. • Most counternarcotics measures adopted since 2001 have been ineffective or outright counterproductive eco- nomically, politically, and with respect to counterinsurgency and stabilization efforts. • Eradication and bans on opium poppy cultivation, often borne by the poorest and most socially marginalized, have generated extensive political capital for the Taliban and undermined counterinsurgency. • The Obama administration’s decision to defund centrally-led eradication, a courageous break with U.S. counter- narcotics dogma, is correct. • Selective interdiction focused on Taliban-linked traffickers, conducted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza- tion’s International Security Assistance Force for Afghanistan between 2008 and 2014, complicated the Taliban’s logistics, but did not severely weaken the Taliban. • Alternative livelihoods efforts, when available, are poorly designed and ineffective and rarely have generated sustainable income for poppy-production-dependent populations.
    [Show full text]
  • Carl Forsberg STUDY of WAR CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY Military a Nalysis Andeducation for Civilian Leaders June 22, 2010
    INSTITUTE FOR THE Carl Forsberg STUDY of WAR CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY Military A nalysis andEducation for Civilian Leaders June 22, 2010 Private Security Contracting and the Counterinsurgency Mission in Afghanistan United States House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs Testimony by Carl Forsberg Institute for the Study of War June 22, 2010 1400 16TH STREET NW I SUITE 515 I WASHINGTON, DC 20036 I 202.293.5550 CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY | Carl ForsBerg | June 22, 2010 RECOMMENDATIONS h A strong personality-driven political order is emerging in Afghanistan which undermines ISAF’s goals. This report discusses the historical context of governance structures in Kandahar, the declining influence of tribes, Kandahar’s current powerbrokers, and the rise of the Karzai family. h Kandahar is strategic terrain for the Quetta Shura Taliban and the Karzai family, and a central focus of ISAF’s 2010 counterinsurgency campaign. h Ahmed Wali Karzai’s influence over Kandahar is the central obstacle to any of ISAF’s governance objectives, and a consistent policy for dealing with him must be a central element of any new strategy. Wali Karzai’s behavior and waning popularity among local populations promote instability and provide space for the Taliban to exist. h ISAF has inadvertently strengthened the forces that undermine legitimate government institutions. ISAF must shape the political landscape in Kandahar so that the local government becomes a credible partner. h ISAF must develop a new coherent strategy that is unified in both Kandahar and Kabul and that recognizes the means by which informal power structures co-opt and undermine the development of robust institutions.
    [Show full text]