UNAMA's Role in Peacemaking, State-building and Coordination
03 February 2010
Iselin Hebbert Larsen, , Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, 2 February 2010
EXCERPT: "The United Nations has been engaged in Afghanistan in various capacities ever since 1946. It has provided humanitarian and development aid, as well as playing a specific political role during the many wars in the country. In the 1980s the...
Read the post »
US and British to Launch Biggest Offensive Since 2001
03 February 2010
US and British to Launch Biggest Offensive Since 2001, The Telegraph, 3 February 2010
EXCERPT: "American commanders gave notice on Wednesday that the assault is imminent. US, British and Afghan forces will flood into a Taliban enclave in southern Helmand province in a massive show of force intended as a decisive start to President Barack Obama's 'surge' of 30,000 extra troops. The operation is expected to involve up to...
Read the post »
Up to 80 Percent of Afghan Taliban Not Hardcore: UK
03 February 2010
Up to 80 Percent of Afghan Taliban Not Hardcore: UK, Reuters, 3 February 2010
EXCERPT: "At a conference in London last week, Afghanistan's allies backed its efforts to start talks with the Taliban and donors promised hundreds of millions of dollars for a fund to pay fighters to lay down their arms. The luring away of militant foot-soldiers is referred to as reintegration while efforts to make peace with Taliban leaders is being...
Read the post »
A Tight Squeeze on Humanitarian Space
03 February 2010
Afghanistan: A Tight Squeeze on Humanitarian Space, IRIN News, 3 February 2010
EXCERPT: "Whilst there is evidence that some civilians and businesspeople pay protection money to Taliban insurgents especially in southern Afghanistan, such an option simply does not exist for aid agencies - even if they need to ensure safe passage for vital humanitarian aid. For Haji Abdullah, doing business in Kandahar Province, southern Afghanistan,...
Read the post »