Jo Coelmont, 'End-State Afghanistan: A European Perspective', Royal Institute for International Relations - EGMONT, 12 November 2009
EXCERPT: "When in 2001 the international community launched its intervention in Afghanistan it could count on broad political support and the understanding of a large share of public opinion. Eight years later the initial optimist discourse has waned. Yet, defeatism, as it emerged a few years ago with regard to Iraq, is not warranted. Paradoxically the current situation, as bad as it may be, also contains hope for the better. A new approach, with more emphasis on the political and civilian aspects, is not just vital – it may still be achievable. A bottom-up approach addressing separately the many dimensions and shortfalls of this very complicated crisis management exercise will clearly be insufficient to engender the kind of change required at present."
Read the full article [pdf].
Related posts:
'EU assistance and support to democratic process', 14 August 2009
'Security sector reform in Afghanistan: The EU's contribution', 26 May 2009
'Shaping Europe's Afghan surge', 25 March 2009
'EU to take urgent look at boosting aid', 23 February 2009
'Afghanistan: European involvement', 26 February 2008
