RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel Kaufmann, November 18, 2009, The Brookings Institution
In reaction to news of brazen corruption in Afghanistan and the release of the new Corruption Perceptions Index, Daniel Kaufmann asks tough questions about the relationship between aid and corruption and suggests improvements in how development aid effectiveness is reviewed. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon, November 16, 2009, The Washington Post
Lost in the ongoing Afghanistan debate is a promising effort to foster reform in building the Afghan police force, writes Michael O'Hanlon. Just back from a trip to the country, O'Hanlon notes several areas in which new efforts are encouraging and draws on lessons learned from reforms that occurred coincident with the 2007 surge in Iraq. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mwangi S. Kimenyi, November 03, 2009, The Brookings Institution
On October 26 Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, announced that the U.S. was revoking the visa of a top Kenyan official because of his role in blocking reforms in the country. Mwangi Kimenyi discusses this approach and urges that the focus should be on overhauling institutions, not targeting individuals. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, November 02, 2009, Room for Debate Blog
Hamid Karzai was declared the winner of the presidential vote in Afghanistan on November 2 and he was quickly warned that he must crack down on rampant corruption. Vanda Felbab-Brown joined several other experts to discuss what should be done about President Karzai's brother, Wali Karzai, who has been linked to Afghanistan's narcotics trade. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Raj M. Desai, October 23, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Although violence in Iraq has decreased, Raj Desai states other transitions are needed before U.S. businesses feel comfortable about the Iraqi investment climate. In addition to security, Desai offers three sets of fundamental reforms to convince investors that Iraq is really "open for business." Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon and Stephen J. Solarz, October 19, 2009, The Washington Times
Congressional leaders and the Obama administration discussing "intermediate options" in Afghanistan, but could such an approach prove successful? Michael O’Hanlon and Stephen Solarz offer insight into what middle-ground steps General Stanley McChrystal is already taking and explain how an active U.S.-Afghan partnership is essential to providing security, safety and success in Afghanistan. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, October 12, 2009, The Daily Beast
As the Afghanistan strategy debate continues, Vanda Felbab-Brown says policymakers should not be fooled by options that lie “in the middle” of a beefed-up counterinsurgency mission and a scaled-back counterterrorism operation. Felbab-Brown believes the United States and NATO must decide how important the stakes are, and either properly resource the current mission or cut losses now rather than later. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, October 01, 2009
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Washington, DC
In October 2009 a high-level delegation of officials from the office of the president and government of Kenya visited the Brookings Institution. The event, which was hosted by the Africa Growth Initiative, included discussion on the key political, economic, and social challenges currently affecting Kenya’s development. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon, October 01, 2009, The Washington Times
Michael O'Hanlon says an apparent gap has emerged between the military leadership in Afghanistan and President Obama's advisers who have growing doubts about the mission there. Though additional troops may be needed, O'Hanlon believes it is it is sensible to tie a commitment of more resources to the Afghanistan government doing more and addressing corruption within their country. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon and Jane Harman, September 23, 2009, Financial Times
Michael O'Hanlon and Jane Harman write that the Afghanistan metrics delivered to Congress last week sorely understate the issue of government corruption. They conclude success in Afghanistan hinges on success of an anti-corruption effort and offer suggestions for both internal and external actors to address the problem. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Cynthia Baldwin, September 23, 2009, The Brookings Institution
The challenges that the judiciary system in Uganda has faced are well known, but the country has come a long way from that past. In a new paper, Cynthia Baldwin proposes a four-part approach to control judicial corruption. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Casas-Zamora, May 22, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Kevin Casas-Zamora argues that the weakness of Guatemala as a state, the pervasive violence, the widespread corruption and the country’s strategic location for drug trafficking are creating a very dangerous cocktail. He believes reform is necessary but also notes it will be quite difficult. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel Kaufmann, March 17, 2009, The Brookings Institution
The effectiveness of development aid has historically been mixed. In a new article, Senior Fellow Daniel Kaufmann discusses recent aid effectiveness initiatives, the gulf between current aid strategies and the new reality of aid, and offers proposals for next steps to improve efforts. Read More
BOOK
David de Ferranti, Anthony J. Ody and with Justin Jacinto and Graeme Ramshaw, March 01, 2009
This perceptive book emphasizes the need for an overall analytical framework that can be applied to different countries to help analyze the current situation, identify potential areas for improvement, and assess their relative feasibility and the steps needed to promote them. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel Kaufmann, January 27, 2009, Forbes.com
As the Obama administration announces new rules for lobbyists, particularly focused on stimulus funds, Brookings expert Daniel Kaufmann examines the role that corruption and influence have played in the global financial crisis, and suggests ways policymakers should address these issues in future regulation. Read More