Official studies have turned up many serious problems in the expenditure of American aid to Afghanistan. However, these reports should not be equated with the progress, or lack of progress, of the economy and society of Afghanistan as a whole. On the one hand, some 82% of American assistance has been focused on security, as opposed to economic and social development. On the other hand, many other donors, and initiatives by Afghanis themselves, have contributed to the development of Afghanistan's economic and social life. The speaker will discuss the briefing paper, entitled "How is Afghanistan Really Doing". The purpose of the paper is not to argue with the official studies but to suggest that Afghan society has in fact made important progress in many areas over the years since 9/11. If one takes that progress into account, it will affect how one views Afghanistan's emerging place in the world and the next phase of America's relationship with that country .
Speaker: Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at AFPC
Moderator: Svante Cornell, Director, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at AFPC
Where: American Foreign Policy Council: 509 C Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
When: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 from 2:00 - 3:45 pm
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Georgia has entered an election year with an extremely polarized political environment. In 2019, the ruling Georgian Dream party promised and advertised a move to a proportional electoral system with a zero threshold for parliamentary representation. Its reversal of this decision in November caused significant political turmoil, and led a significant pro-Western fraction to leave the ruling party. The otherwise fractured opposition is now consolidated in its demand for electoral reforms, putting the legitimacy of the election process in question. At several earlier times, the U.S. has taken a role to assist Georgia in difficult times like this. Could it do so again? Should it?
Speakers:
Michael Carpenter, Managing Director, Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement
Ambassador Richard Miles, Former US Ambassador to Georgia
Anthony C. Bowyer, Europe & Eurasia Advisor, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
Moderator: Svante Cornell, Director, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at AFPC
Where: American Foreign Policy Council: 509 C Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
When: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 from 2:00 - 3:45 pm
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In the claustrophobic atmosphere of Kabul today, uncertainty reigns on every side: security, politics, business, and finance. Afghanistan is a big country, and Afghan society is rapidly changing. Are there compensating factors that we are ignoring and, if so, what are they?
Speaker: Mr. Shoaib Rahim, Senior Adviser, Afghanistan's State Ministry for Peace
Moderator: S. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at AFPC
Where: American Foreign Policy Council: 509 C Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
When: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm,
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In June 2019, the EU released a new strategy for Central Asia. This strategy was formulated in response to rapid changes in the region, ranging from China's Belt and Road Initiative, new reform initiatives across the region, and a new momentum for regional cooperation. What does this strategy mean for the EU's relations with Central Asia? And does this mean that the EU now leads the developed and democratic world in engaging with Central Asia, and is pointing a path forward for the US?
This Forum meeting marked the release of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute's new Silk Road Paper on the subject, A Steady Hand: The EU’s 2019 Strategy and Policy Toward Central Asia.
Speaker: Svante Cornell, Director, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at AFPC
Moderator: S. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at AFPC
Where: Middle East Institute: 1763 N Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20036
When: Wednesday, December 5, 2019 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm