Publication

Against the backdrop of two conferences dealing with the transition in Afghanistan held in Istanbul and Bonn, this brief argues that a successful peace process in Afghanistan hinges not only on successful talks with the Taliban but also on successful security and economic transition, and sustainable governance and rule of law. The issues raised at the Istanbul conference include Afghan security, the recruitment, training and equipping of Afghan security forces, and the reconciliation process. The Bonn Conference concerns the transfer of responsibility for security to the Afghan government by 2014, international commitment to Afghanistan following this handover, and the political process vis-à-vis national reconciliation and the integration of former Taliban fighters.