Alternative Futures for Afghanistan and the Stability of Southwest Asia

The international community is failing in Afghanistan. The Taliban insurgency is spreading and has taken over large parts of neighboring, nuclear-armed Pakistan. Meanwhile, Europe and the U.S. find themselves at odds over troop contributions to the region, India and Pakistan continue to struggle for influence in Afghanistan, and the region now has to compete with a global financial crisis for the attention it deserves.

The approach of the last eight years is simply not working. Stability in Afghanistan requires new, innovative ideas that focus on the needs of Afghans and engage the country’s neighbors as well as remote powers such as the U.S., the EU, Russia, India, and Saudi Arabia.

The EastWest Institute is meeting this challenge by convening all possible stakeholders for frank, off-the-record discussions that reframe the debate on Afghan security and develop new strategies to finally bring peace to Afghanistan.  We are mobilizing our networks in Beijing, Delhi, Islamabad, Tehran, Moscow, Brussels, and Washington, and we’re using our reputation as a trusted intermediary to engage tribal, business, and religious leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In particular, EWI is working to reframe the relationship between Afghanistan and its neighbors by working to find cooperative strategies to manage the region's water resources. We are working to use this common concern to build trust in the region and help create a foundation for cooperation in other areas as well.

Pakistan and the Afghanistan Intelligence Leak

Commentary

Pakistan and the Afghanistan Intelligence Leak

Writing for The News, Ikram Sehgal argues that the portrayal of Pakistan in the recently leaked "Afghan War Diary" is unfair and Pakistan needs a focused media strategy to counter such claims.

Afghan Village Force: Moving Forward

Commentary

Afghan Village Force: Moving Forward

EWI Senior Fellow Hekmat Karzai warns against the use of village security forces in Afghanistan unless they are part of a broader long-term stability program and are associated with an official entity.

Recalling Asian History and Making It

Commentary

Recalling Asian History and Making It

Greg Austin argues that Asian countries should use the Kabul conference on the future of Afghanistan as an opportunity to shoulder greater responsibility for regional security.

Making the Most of Afghanistan's River Basins

Publication

Making the Most of Afghanistan's River Basins

To foster greater regional cooperation in Southwest Asia, this EWI publication identifies challenges to effective and sustainable cross-border cooperation on water and the steps necessary to overcome them.

Economic Development and Security for Afghanistan

Publication

Economic Development and Security for Afghanistan

Ahead of the London conference on Afghanistan, an EWI report argues that remittances from Afghan workers in the Gulf can play a transformative role in Afghan security and economic development.

Pakistan and the Afghanistan Intelligence Leak

Commentary

Pakistan and the Afghanistan Intelligence Leak

Writing for The News, Ikram Sehgal argues that the portrayal of Pakistan in the recently leaked "Afghan War Diary" is unfair and Pakistan needs a focused media strategy to counter such claims.

Afghan Village Force: Moving Forward

Commentary

Afghan Village Force: Moving Forward

EWI Senior Fellow Hekmat Karzai warns against the use of village security forces in Afghanistan unless they are part of a broader long-term stability program and are associated with an official entity.

Recalling Asian History and Making It

Commentary

Recalling Asian History and Making It

Greg Austin argues that Asian countries should use the Kabul conference on the future of Afghanistan as an opportunity to shoulder greater responsibility for regional security.

EWI Contribution to Ashgabat Seminar on Preventive Diplomacy

Event Report

EWI Contribution to Ashgabat Seminar on Preventive Diplomacy

The EastWest Institute participated in an international seminar, “Stability and Security in Central Asia: Interaction with International and Regional Organizations,” organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Headlines WSC7

Event Report

Pakistani Foreign Minister Headlines WSC7

Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Pakistan, opened EWI’s seventh annual Worldwide Security Conference arguing for dialogue, development and deterrence to stabilize the Pakistan-Afghanistan border regions.

Leaders Push for Afghan National Reconciliation at EastWest Institute Consultation

Event Report

Leaders Push for Afghan National Reconciliation at EastWest Institute Consultation

Global and regional leaders call for a more determined process of national reconciliation and a more focused international aid effort in Afghanistan.