http://www.rusi.org/ web@rusi.org en-us Copyright 2010 http://www.rusi.orgC4B8E454684939/ The arrest of the Afghan Taliban leader has been heralded as a significant development in Washington's effort to disrupt the insurgency and a sign that Islamabad is abandoning the Taliban. But a closer look at the evidence demonstrates that his capture indicates neither a Pakistani break with militancy, nor an easing of the path ahead for the war in Afghanistan. 2010-03-03 11:18:34 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:A4B865F54E917E/ Dominic Medley, who has worked in media development and journalism training in Afghanistan since 2002, reports on the flourishing Afghan media sector 2010-02-25 11:30:31 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:A4B865CE45A98E/ India is playing a key role in the Afghan conflict. But its animosity with Pakistan threatens this contribution, and the US has been unable to choose a long-term partner 2010-02-25 11:20:06 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4B7A986340AD7/ Operation Moshtarak is the most important campaign in Afghanistan since the invasion in 2001. Its success, however, will not be measured in military terms but in terms of public opinion, both in Helmand and the rest of Afghanistan and in the Coalition's domestic electorate. 2010-02-16 13:25:09 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4B4B128C9D0FC/ The results of an annual poll of Afghan opinion show a surprising degree of optimism for their country's future direction. But we should not rest on our laurels. A great deal could go wrong before the favourable perceptions can be seen to have turned a genuine corner in Afghanistan. 2010-01-11 12:05:02 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4B4124C0DCB72/ As the effects of the global recession begins to be felt, this year will emphasise some new political realities in the international order. They will form the backdrop to the return of some traditional security issues. 2010-01-03 23:18:18 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:A4B28EE82D7814/ Building up the Afghan Army is a crucial element of NATO stabilisation efforts. But this approach may be built on unsound assumptions 2009-12-16 14:28:20 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4B177FBEE2288/ President Obama made clear his intention to hand over full security responsibility in some areas to Afghan National Security Forces. All easier said than done, the essence of the problem lies in daunting numbers and even more daunting issues of quality and loyalty. 2009-12-03 09:09:26 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4B13E9028766D/ What General McChrystal asked for was five more brigades - five more brigades that he can use in Kandahar, in Helmand, a couple in the north east and a training brigade. So if he gets those five brigades then he's got backing for his plan whatever the final number turns out to be 2009-11-30 15:52:32 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4B12E11351443/ As President Obama announces his plans for Afghanistan, there is palpable consensus within the international community that the whole enterprise is now staring strategic defeat in the face. The next eighteen months represents the last good opportunity to put right the neglect and the mistakes of the last eight years and avert a worse crisis for us all. 2009-11-29 21:04:02 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4B14E068758F1/ British success in Malaya appeared to show how an insurgency could be defeated by Western-led forces. The campaign was plundered for ‘lessons’ – for Vietnam in particular. The latter’s failure, however, led critics to argue that Malaya was a special case which did not offer transferable ‘lessons’. An analysis of the general principles underlying British success in Malaya can nevertheless still provide important policy implications for Afghanistan. 2009-11-28 09:00:00 http://www.rusi.org/news/ref:N4B0D427DD18DD/ The international community must abandon an 'obsession' with quantity over quality in order to combat corruption within the ranks of the Afghan National Police, according to a report published by the Royal United Services Institute. 2009-11-25 14:45:59 http://www.rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A4B0BC7AAF396B/ Washington's newest shorthand ‘AfPak’ illustrates the regional dimension to the current conflict, but alienates friends and foes on both sides of the border 2009-11-24 11:46:54 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:A4AEB20B8D5A85/ British units increasingly operate alongside Afghan forces in theatre. Adopting the local uniform has some compelling advantages 2009-10-30 17:22:31 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:A4AEB1D7656217/ Winter operations present tough challenges, but also great opportunities. ISAF should seize them 2009-10-30 17:10:31 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:A4AEB15C637534/ The relationship between war and medicine is a complex one. Here, the Surgeon General of the Defence Medical services offers his view 2009-10-30 16:36:45 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:A4AEB148D13F17/ New evidence suggests that the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan was never intended to be one 2009-10-30 16:31:22 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:A4AEB10017D05E/ In an increasingly cross-border campaign, it is vital to understand the organisation and makeup of the Pakistani Taliban 2009-10-30 16:11:06 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:A4AEB04E7DECEF/ Drone air strikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan have proven a contraversial tactic in the War on Terror. But they may have further complications back in the UK 2009-10-30 15:24:54 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4AD728C432459/ General McChrystal's recent report paints a bleak picture of the Afghan war, but does it fully acknowledge the difference between insurgent activity and insurgent success? Attacks have indeed increased, but to what effect? ISAF's biggest problems are a failure to engage with an increasingly sceptical public, and the scale of corruption within the Afghan government. 2009-10-15 14:55:07 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4ACC9E5A56721/ Is Britain’s strategic posture as a global actor sustainable in the economic crisis and set against failing public support for the mission in Afghanistan? 2009-10-07 15:06:39 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4AA8E80F56BF4/ The recent elections in Afghanistan have been subject to widespread criticism. In the midst of the debate over how to react, the author assesses the implications for Afghanistan and the options for moving forward, based on his experience as an analyst and observer before and during the polls. 2009-09-10 12:52:24 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4AA67636AB9B9/ In the midst of abundant criticism of the Afghan democratic system and the perceived illegitimacy of the recent election, Ershad Ahmadi considers the symbolic and logistical successes made by the country. Amidst ‘myriad challenges’ facing Afghanistan, the international community must come to terms with its system and start looking forward. 2009-09-08 16:25:29 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4A8BD851388ED/ Against the background of a failing counter-insurgency campaign based catastrophically around lethal force, the question of legitimacy following the elections is the key to avoiding failure. 2009-08-19 11:50:56 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4A8AB8E10E751/ It is unlikely that the forthcoming presidential election in Afghanistan will have an immediate impact on the ground. However the political direction of Afghanistan and the determination of NATO to maintain stability will be of crucial significance for the long-term security of South Asia and the rivalry between India and Pakistan. 2009-08-18 15:22:52 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4A6D7D483D5C3/ A new policy of ‘Double or Quits’ has recently emerged for Afghanistan. Following a surge in troop levels both the US and UK political leadership hope for a rapid improvement in the security situation, but without this calls for a reassessment of priorities will grow louder. There is, however, the opportunity for a ‘third way’, modelled on the British experience in Basra after 2006, where a reduced footprint provided the opportunity for the success of local Iraqi forces. 2009-07-27 11:34:54 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4A60CA6E87B77/ With the deaths of fifteen UK troops in Afghanistan over the past few weeks, Britain is forced to re-think its strategy for strengthening the country. 2009-07-17 20:12:42 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:C4A5AFE9666718/ While greater numbers of helicopters and armoured vehicles are needed in Afghanistan, what British soldiers at the front want most are reinforcements to make operational success more certain and the political benefits more long-lasting. 2009-07-13 10:32:38 http://www.rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A4A573F14A1AC0/ Both Pakistan and the United States view good relations as crucial. But despite an alliance which goes back over half a century, mutual distrust and a feeling of suspicion still linger. 2009-07-10 14:16:44 http://www.rusi.org/news/ref:N4A23C0D1B9C83/ Citations of RUSI expert analysis and events in the global media: May 2009 2009-05-31 12:00:00 http://www.rusi.org/news/ref:C49FCE0A01E12E/ Troops need to believe that they risk their lives for things that are genuinely important. 2009-05-03 01:12:17 http://www.rusi.org/news/ref:C49F9BEE224FA0/ The undoubted bravery and professionalism of British troops in Iraq disguised the deeper strategic failings of their mission. Leaders need to learn from the mistakes in Basra as we now concentrate in Afghanistan. 2009-04-30 16:10:11 http://www.rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A49AE5AA500071/ Afghanistan looks set to provide another difficult year for coalition troops. Worse still, it is becoming increasingly clear that Pakistan is not up to the job of extending its writ throughout all of its declared territory. 2009-03-04 10:40:39 http://www.rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:C499A9D0B560E9/ The Afghanistan Opinion Poll 2009 should wake up the international community to the necessity for a change in approach. Global actors have to engage with the reality on the ground, and stop trumpeting ineffectual and imported strategies. 2009-02-17 11:31:06 http://www.rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:C4990051938E13/ Working with the BBC, RUSI analyses the latest opinion poll charting Afghan attitudes. The results reveal a number of positive trends but also growing scepticism about the foreign intervention. 2009-02-09 10:38:58 http://www.rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:C4975B072F3093/ Many commentators, eager to see the back of Bush and tempted by Obama’s promise of change, have anticipated radical shifts for US policy in Afghanistan. However, in the short term at least, differences from the Bush administration’s approach look disappointingly minor. 2009-01-20 11:11:17 http://www.rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:C496A10B7D39F6/ The UK needs more troops on the ground to relieve pressure in Helmand, but unless an increase is accompanied by significant victories elsewhere, the Coalition’s long-term prospects are not good. A new approach to strategic thinking in Afghanistan and the means to give some effect to it are sorely needed in the new year. 2009-01-11 15:31:27 http://www.rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:C49130D1F97F19/ US policy towards Pakistan is inextricably tied up with its activities in Afghanistan, and Obama cannot afford to ignore it. If he is to have any hope of mending the US’s troubled relationship with the state, a fundamental reassessment of the situation is essential. 2008-11-06 15:30:18 http://www.rusi.org/news/ref:N45E2AD89A250E/ Redeploying troops from Iraq to Afghanistan makes perfect military and political sense 2007-02-26 09:54:59 http://www.rusi.org/news/ref:N45DC2E3D755F0/ 2007-02-01 11:00:00 http://www.rusi.org/news/ref:N454899C5DABDA/ 2006-09-01 12:00:00 http://www.rusi.org/news/ref:C41090E10A5ECC/ Médecins Sans Frontières Pulls Out of Afghanistan 2004-07-29 00:00:00 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:J40c1f7b879fab/ The war in Afghanistan is the most recent example of an asymmetric war between the ostensibly milita 2004-06-18 12:23:44 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:J40c1f7baa37ce/ The successful employment of Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAMs) in Kosovo and Afghanistan 2004-06-18 12:23:44 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:J40c1f7b6ef2ab/ In this concise overview of the War on Terror thus far, Paul Rogers argues that understanding 2004-06-18 12:23:44 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:J40c1f7a088a0b/ A former British military official reflects on his experiences with the Pathans and what might be done to end the cycle of conflict in their ancestral homeland. 2004-06-18 12:23:43 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:J40c1f79ddba2b/ Six months on from the horrific attacks of 11 September, the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staf 2004-06-18 12:23:43 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:J40c1f785b974b/ 2004-06-18 12:23:42 http://www.rusi.org/publications/monitor/ref:A473D7EB04588A/ This article advocates a sharp increase in support to the UK-led counter-narcotics campaign in Afghanistan as a means to mitigate the security threat that Afghan opium production poses to the UK and the international community. 2004-03-01 11:00:00 http://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:J40c1f7b81d34b/ Major General Robert Fulton, Capability Manager (Information Superiority) assesses the effec 2002-10-18 12:00:00 http://www.rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A47596B5974E14/ The US's 'transformational' use of air power in Afghanistan throws up some key lessons for future conflicts. 2002-04-01 15:00:00 http://www.rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:J40d32ea7c73b3/ United States, World Trade Centre, terrorism, Middle East, intelligence 2001-10-01 09:00:00