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Tuesday February 9, 2010

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Afghanistan

BOOK

Save to My PortfolioToughing It Out in Afghanistan

Michael E. O'Hanlon, March 15, 2010

Toughing It Out in Afghanistan is designed to help the reader understand more about the Afghan nation and to inform international debate on how to approach the conflict there in 2010 and 2011. Read More

Afghanistan, Defense Strategy, Foreign Policy

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioToughing it Out in Afghanistan: Current Prospects and Recommendations for Future Policy

Tuesday, February 09, 2010
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC

Toughing it Out in Afghanistan: Current Prospects and Recommendations for Future PolicyDue to inclement weather Brookings is closed on February 9 and this event is cancelled. Read More

Afghanistan, Terrorism, U.S. Military, Civil War

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioDesperate for a Taliban Deal?

Michael E. O'Hanlon and Hassina Sherjan, February 02, 2010, The Daily Beast

Desperate for a Taliban Deal?At the International Conference on Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai issued a prominent call for reconciliation with the Taliban. However, as troops on the ground work to strengthen Afghan forces and local leadership, Michael O’Hanlon and Hassina Sherjan argue that an agreement with the Taliban could prove detrimental to security and stability in the region. Read More

Afghanistan, Terrorism, Middle East, Islamic World

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioAround the Halls: The State of the Union and Foreign Policy

Kenneth G. Lieberthal, Vanda Felbab-Brown and Steven Pifer, January 29, 2010, The Brookings Institution

Around the Halls: The State of the Union and Foreign PolicyScholars from around the halls of Brookings discuss President Obama's first State of the Union speech, offering their analysis of what the President's words mean for foreign policy. The relationship with China, the war in Afghanistan, and the President's pursuit of a new strategic arms treaty are examined. Read More

2010 State of the Union, China, Afghanistan, Arms Control, Diplomacy

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioState of the Union 2010: A Pivotal Moment

Thursday, January 28, 2010
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Washington, DC

State of the Union 2010: A Pivotal MomentPresident Obama’s State of the Union address came at a critical time for his administration and for the country. On January 28, Brookings hosted a discussion of the address and its impact on the policy agenda in areas such as the economy, health care, foreign policy and climate change. Read More

The Presidency, 2010 State of the Union, U.S. Economy, Afghanistan, Iraq

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioAfghanistan, Iraq and Beyond: A Discussion with U.S. Army Chief of Staff George Casey

Thursday, January 28, 2010
10:15 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC

Afghanistan, Iraq and Beyond: A Discussion with U.S. Army Chief of Staff George CaseyFrom the troop increase in Afghanistan to the uptick in violence in Iraq to the relief mission in Haiti, the U.S. Army enters 2010 with an already robust agenda. On January 28, the 21st Century Defense Initiative at Brookings hosted General George Casey, chief of staff of the U.S. Army and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for a discussion of the state of the U.S. Army and the challenges it faces this year. Read More

U.S. Military, Iraq, Afghanistan, Terrorism, Haiti

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioNegotiations and Reconciliation with the Taliban: Key Policy Issues and Dilemmas

Vanda Felbab-Brown, January 28, 2010, The Brookings Institution

Negotiations and Reconciliation with the Taliban: Key Policy Issues and DilemmasAt the International Conference on Afghanistan on January 28, leaders from Afghanistan, the United Kingdom and Japan presented their options for reconciliation with the Taliban.  Vanda Felbab-Brown evaluates these developments, arguing that, when it comes to negotiating with the Taliban, the content, costs and benefits of each approach must be measured carefully to reach a successful outcome. Read More

Afghanistan, Terrorism, International Relations

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioShooting Up: Counterinsurgency and the War on Drugs

Monday, January 25, 2010
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Washington, DC

Shooting Up: Counterinsurgency and the War on DrugsFor many policymakers, counterinsurgency and counternarcotics policy are two sides of the same coin. However, eradication-focused counternarcotics campaigns typically fail to bankrupt belligerent groups and may even strengthen insurgents. On January 25, the 21st Century Defense Initiative hosted Vanda Felbab-Brown and Dr. Wendy Chamberlin for a discussion of Felbab-Brown’s new book Shooting Up: Counterinsurgency and the War on Drugs. Read More

Counternarcotics Policy, Crime, Terrorism, Afghanistan, Latin America

VIDEO

Save to My PortfolioThe Status Report: Facing Challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Bruce Riedel, January 12, 2010

While the situations in Afghanistan and Pakistan are still dire, Bruce Riedel says that President Obama made the right decision to focus on the region as the epicenter of the struggle against al Qaeda. His colleague Vanda Felbab-Brown agrees, giving the president a B overall in The Status Report, but says that the president made the decision too late in 2009.

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Terrorism, The Presidency

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioObama’s Challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Vanda Felbab-Brown, January 12, 2010, The Brookings Institution

Obama’s Challenges in Afghanistan and PakistanIn this installment of the Status Report, a series of policy assessments of the Obama administration’s first year, Vanda Felbab-Brown gives the Obama administration a B for its leadership in confronting the challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan. She applauds the president for his commitment of more troops to the Afghan war, while lamenting lost opportunities. Read More

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Terrorism, Crime, South Asia

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioRichard Holbrooke: The Obama Administration’s Challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Thursday, January 07, 2010
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Washington, DC

Richard Holbrooke: The Obama Administration’s Challenges in Afghanistan and PakistanAfghanistan and Pakistan remain at the forefront of President Obama’s foreign policy agenda, as questions persist about the success of U.S. policies in the region. Brookings hosted Richard C. Holbrooke, the administration’s special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, for a conversation on the Obama administration’s way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Read More

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Diplomacy, U.S. Department of State

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioNarco-Jihad: Drug Trafficking and Security in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Vanda Felbab-Brown, January 07, 2010, The National Bureau of Asian Research

Narco-Jihad: Drug Trafficking and Security in Afghanistan and PakistanIn an essay on the nexus between the narcotics economy and violent conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Vanda Felbab-Brown explores the factors supporting opium production in those countries. Felbab-Brown also offers options for successful counter-narcotics policies and for building an alternative legal economy throughout the struggling region. Read More

Counternarcotics Policy, Terrorism, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Middle East

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioFour Global Crisis Spots

Michael E. O'Hanlon, January 04, 2010, The Washington Times

Four Global Crisis SpotsWriting about the year ahead in foreign policy, Michael O’Hanlon identifies four important policy challenges facing the Obama Administration that will reach crucial milestones in 2010 – Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and nuclear nonproliferation. Read More

National Security, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Nonproliferation

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioStates of Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan

Ian Livingston, Heather Messera and Michael E. O'Hanlon, January 03, 2010, The New York Times

States of Iraq, Afghanistan and PakistanIan Livingston, Heather Messera and Michael O'Hanlon examine leading metrics from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan to assess how well the counterinsurgency and stabilization operations are faring in these three major arenas of U.S. military involvement. Read More

Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, U.S. Military, Transnational Security Threats

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioObama's Solid First Year on Foreign Policy

Michael E. O'Hanlon, January 01, 2010, Politico

Despite criticism from political opponents - including former Vice President Dick Cheney - and a recent rise in terrorist activity directed at American citizens, Michael O'Hanlon writes that President Obama has had a solid first year with regard to foreign policy matters, highlighted by sound policy decisions in the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. Read More

Foreign Policy, The Presidency, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan

In Brief

Over eight years after a U.S.-led invasion toppled the Taliban regime, Afghanistan is still far from stable. A resurgent Taliban and rampant drug trade are among numerous problems facing Hamid Karzai’s government and an increased U.S. military effort. NATO-led attempts at establishing security and development have suffered setbacks, and an international military presence is expected to remain there for the foreseeable future. 

See the Afghanistan Index »

Featured Experts

Michael E. O'Hanlon

Michael E. O'Hanlon

Director of Research and Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy
The Sydney Stein, Jr. Chair

Michael O’Hanlon specializes in national security and defense policy and is senior author of the Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Index projects. Before joining Brookings, O'Hanlon worked as a national security analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. His current research agenda includes military strategy and technology, Northeast Asia, U.S. Central Command, defense budgets, among other defense/security issues.  O’Hanlon recently served on the Secretary of State's International Security Advisory Board.
Read More

Bruce Riedel

Bruce Riedel

Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Saban Center for Middle East Policy

A former CIA officer, Bruce Riedel focuses on political transition, terrorism and conflict resolution. He was a senior advisor to three U.S. presidents on Middle East and South Asian issues. At the request of President Obama he chaired an interagency review of policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan for the White House that was completed in March 2009.
Read More

Vanda Felbab-Brown

Vanda Felbab-Brown

Fellow, Foreign Policy, 21st Century Defense Initiative

Vanda Felbab-Brown focuses on the national security implications of illicit economies and strategies for managing them. She is an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read More

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The Status Report

Assessing the Obama Administration’s First Year

During the presidential transition, Brookings scholars wrote a series of policy recommendations in 12 memos to incoming President Barack Obama. One year into the new presidency, our experts rated the progress of the new administration on those same issues in a series of daily commentary and video.

Read More

Spotlight

TopicEducation

The economic and political well-being of any society requires a well-educated citizenry. Brookings’s work extends beyond the K-12 bookends to include pre-school interventions, higher education and the challenges of education in developing countries.

ExpertDomenico Lombardi

As president of the Oxford Institute for Economic Policy, Domenico Lombardi’s work at Brookings focuses on the international financial crisis and the reform of the IMF and the World Bank. He is an expert on G-20 and G8 Summits.

Research ProjectArms Control Initiative

Few problems pose greater challenges to U.S. national security than controlling, reducing and countering the proliferation of nuclear arms. The Brookings Arms Control Initiative brings the Institution’s multidisciplinary strengths to bear on the critical challenges of arms control and non-proliferation.

TopicHealth Care

Brookings is committed to producing innovative policy solutions to our nation’s most difficult challenges. The country may face no more important domestic policy challenge than the much-needed reform of our health care system. Through an institution-wide effort, Brookings delivers new ideas and offers policy solutions to improve health care both at home and globally.

Policy CenterCenter on Children and Families

The Center on Children and Families studies policies on the well-being of America's children and their parents and seeks a more effective means of addressing poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity in the United States.

ExpertTed Gayer

Ted Gayer is the co-director of the Economic Studies program and the Joseph A. Pechman Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He conducts research on a variety of economic issues, focusing particularly on public finance, environmental and energy economics, housing, and regulatory policy.

ExpertVanda Felbab-Brown

Vanda Felbab-Brown focuses on the national security implications of illicit economies and strategies for managing them. She is an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

ExpertMark McClellan

Mark McClellan works on promoting high-quality, innovative and affordable health care. Once commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. McClellan now directs the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform.

ExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

Research ProjectAfrica Growth Initiative

The Africa Growth Initiative conducts high-quality policy research and analysis focused on attaining sustainable economic development and prosperity in Africa, while amplifying the voice of African researchers in policy-making and planning.

Policy CenterUrban-Brookings Tax Policy Center

The Tax Policy Center, a joint venture of the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution, is comprised of nationally recognized experts in tax, budget and social policy who have served at the highest levels of government.

Research ProjectLatin America Initiative

The Latin America Initiative provides high-quality, in-depth, and independent research across a range of economic and political issues, and offers policy recommendations aimed at U.S. and Latin American policymakers.

ExpertIsabel V. Sawhill

A nationally known budget expert, Isabel Sawhill focuses on domestic poverty and federal fiscal policy. She is also co-director of the Center on Children and Families at Brookings.

ExpertMwangi S. Kimenyi

Mwangi S. Kimenyi is a senior fellow with the Africa Growth Initiative. He focuses on Africa's development, including institutions for economic growth, the political economy, and private sector development.

ExpertAmy Liu

Amy Liu is deputy director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. Her policy studies include economic competitiveness, metropolitan growth and development, governance reforms, urban reinvestment, and social equity.

Research ProjectBrookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement

The Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement monitors displacement problems worldwide, works with governments, regional bodies, international organizations and civil society to create more effective policies and institutional arrangements for Internally Displaed Persons.

ExpertRichard C. Bush III

Richard Bush is the director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies. His public service career spans Congress, the intelligence community and the U.S. State Department. He currently focuses on China-Taiwan and U.S.-China relations, the Korean peninsula and Japan’s security.

Policy CenterCenter for Northeast Asian Policy Studies

CNAPS conducts research, analysis, and outreach designed to enhance policy development and understanding on the pressing political, economic, and security issues facing Northeast Asia.