Matthew Hall, 'The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: A Partnership For Stabilising Afghanistan?', Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies // Australian Defence College, 5 November 2009
EXCERPT: "In efforts to bring stability and security to Afghanistan, the international community of states may have overlooked a critical ally: the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. This paper argues that the Organisation should be considered a partner in the international stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan, and proposes that Australia is well-placed to be the facilitator for such a venture. On 27 March 2009 the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) met in Moscow to hold a Special Conference on Afghanistan. This conference injected China, Russia and four Central Asian republics into the international dialogue over Afghanistan, establishing the SCO as an increasingly important stakeholder in the security and stability of Afghanistan. Yet, at a time when Canberra was considering its future military commitment to Afghanistan, few Australians noticed this important event."
Read the full report [pdf].
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'Australia to review Afghan force', 21 October 2009
'Australia's role in building Afghan National Army', 22 September 2009
'Handover in "three to four" years: Australia', 21 July 2009
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