Scholars, advocates, and activists seeking to make the U.S. a more responsible global partner.
Asia & Pacific
Interview with Malalai Joya

Interview with Malalai Joya

by , | Oct 16, 2009

There are currently more than 100,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, about 65,000 of which are American. U.S. General Stanley McChrystal is asking for more, perhaps as many as 45,000 soldiers. However, there is rising opposition to the war in the United States and several NATO countries. The Taliban now have a permanent presence in 80% of Afghanistan, up from 72% in November 2008, and are spreading their influence to the north. The recent elections have been marred by fraud, and it is still unclear how and when the problems will be resolved. Obama has a lot on his plate and hears many conflicting voices on what should be done. But what do Afghans actually think?

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Legacy of Abuse in Sri Lanka

by , | Oct 16, 2009

The Sri Lankan government has brushed aside Western criticism of its abusive practices. But that might be about to change.

the Sri Lankan government has brushed aside Western criticism of its abusive practices. But that might be about to changThe Sri Lankan government has brushed aside Western criticism of its abusive practices. But that might be about to change.e.
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Review: ‘Guardians of the Revolution’

Review: ‘Guardians of the Revolution’

by , | Oct 13, 2009

Guardians of the Revolution, by Council on Foreign Relations scholar Ray Takeyh, offers candid insights into Iranian politics, delving into the origins of the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and tracking its evolution over the past 30 years. The current debate in Iran and among outside observers centers around whether or not the spirit of that revolution is still alive today.  Many of the figures instrumental in building and sustaining the Islamic Revolution and which Takeyh brings to life in his book — Mir Hossein Mussavi, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Ali Larijani, Mohammad Khatami, and Hosein-Ali Montazeri are now virulently opposed to the regime. On the other side of the debate, Takeyh explains the rise of the New Right, a group of conservatives headed by Ayatollah Khamenei and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who have slowly gained and entrenched themselves in the heart of the Iranian government.

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Decision Point: Afghanistan

by , | Oct 1, 2009

Note: This is part of a strategic dialogue on Afghanistan. You can see Ed Corcoran’s piece here.

For years, the war in Afghanistan has been in crisis. But now with a failed Afghan election, the resurgence of the Taliban as a political power, NATO allies withdrawing from the battlefield, and Pakistan’s tribal areas under increasing influence from the Taliban and al-Qaeda, the situation looks worse than ever. Obama and his team are spinning their wheels trying to devise a policy to right the sinking ship, but the most sensible solution, for Afghans and U.S. citizens, is to start planning a way out.

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Why Afghanistan

by , | Oct 1, 2009

Note: This is part of a strategic dialogue on Afghanistan. You can read Erik Leaver’s piece here.

A major U.S. effort in Afghanistan makes no sense in its own right: a faraway country with very limited resources and a history of hostility to invaders. But Afghanistan was intimately involved with the World Trade Center attack — a major psychological blow to the American people, and that has given Afghanistan a major psychological tie in U.S. minds. The present focus on Afghanistan, as articulated by President Barack Obama, "has a clear mission and defined goals — to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda and its extremist allies."

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