Talking about talks : toward a political settlement in Afghanistan

Material type: TextTextLanguage: English Publication details: [Place of publication not identified] : [Publisher not identified], 2012.Description: iv, 45 pages : color map ; 30 cmSubject(s): LOC classification:
  • Pamphlet UA853. A3.
Online resources:
Contents:
Contents: Executive summary and recommendations—I. Introduction—II. A history of failure—III. Competing interests—IV. False dichotomies, flawed strategies—V. Negotiations in context—VI. Toward a political settlement—VII. Conclusion—Appendices.
Summary: Summary: “A negotiated political settlement is a desirable outcome to the conflict in Afghanistan, but current talks with the Taliban are unlikely to result in a sustainable peace. There is a risk that negotiations under present conditions could further destabilise the country and region. Debilitated by internal political divisions and external pressures, the Karzai government is poorly positioned to cut a deal with leaders of the insurgency. Afghanistan’s security forces are ill-prepared to handle the power vacuum that will occur following the exit of international troops. As political competition heats up within the country in the run-up to NATO’s withdrawal of combat forces at the end of 2014, the differing priorities and preferences of the parties to the conflict – from the Afghan government to the Taliban leadership to key regional and wider international actors – will further undermine the prospects of peace. To avoid another civil war, a major course correction is needed that results in the appointment of a UN-mandated mediation team and the adoption of a more realistic approach to resolution of the conflict…”—(page summary).
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Monograph Monograph Afghanistan Centre at Kabul University Pamphlet UA853.A3.T355 2012 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available 3ACKU000540582
Total holds: 0

(Asia report ; No. 221)

Cover title.

“26 March 2012”.

Includes bibliographical references.

Contents: Executive summary and recommendations—I. Introduction—II. A history of failure—III. Competing interests—IV. False dichotomies, flawed strategies—V. Negotiations in context—VI. Toward a political settlement—VII. Conclusion—Appendices.

Summary: “A negotiated political settlement is a desirable outcome to the conflict in Afghanistan, but current talks with the Taliban are unlikely to result in a sustainable peace. There is a risk that negotiations under present conditions could further destabilise the country and region. Debilitated by internal political divisions and external pressures, the Karzai government is poorly positioned to cut a deal with leaders of the insurgency. Afghanistan’s security forces are ill-prepared to handle the power vacuum that will occur following the exit of international troops. As political competition heats up within the country in the run-up to NATO’s withdrawal of combat forces at the end of 2014, the differing priorities and preferences of the parties to the conflict – from the Afghan government to the Taliban leadership to key regional and wider international actors – will further undermine the prospects of peace. To avoid another civil war, a major course correction is needed that results in the appointment of a UN-mandated mediation team and the adoption of a more realistic approach to resolution of the conflict…”—(page summary).

English