Posts Tagged: Politics of Afghanistan

New Afghan president signs security pact in win for Washington

September 30, 2024 by Lara Vergnaud in Asia-Pacific.

Afghan National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar (R) and NATO's Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan Maurits Jochems (R) sign the Status of Forces Agreement documents as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (3R) and Afghanistan's new Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah (2L) look on at the Presidential Palace in Kabul on September 30, 2014.

The pact will allow some 10,000 American troops to remain in the country after the withdrawal of NATO-led forces at the end of 2014.

Karzai and Kerry near Afghan security pact

November 19, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East, U.S..

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Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai addresses the World Islamic Economic Forum in London October 29, 2013. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

The old friends might have overcome the snags that torpedoed security negotiations between the U.S. and Iraq ahead of the American military withdrawal there in 2011.

Afghan election shenanigans begin in earnest

October 22, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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Afghan opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah (2nd R) leaves after registering as a candidate for the presidential election at the Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) in Kabul October 1, 2013. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

Jockeying by entrenched elites to secure ethnic loyalties and keep populist rivals out of the already-crowded 2014 presidential field.

Abdullah Abdullah looks again to Afghan presidency

October 1, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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Afghan opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah (C) receives a form during registration as a candidate for the presidential election at the Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) in Kabul October 1, 2013. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

With his corrupt rival term-limited out of office, the favorite of Western elites hopes to patch together a potent electoral coalition that can overcome potential vote-rigging.

Taliban peace talks on the ropes as Karzai goes rogue

June 19, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks during a joint news conference with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen following a security handover ceremony at a military academy outside Kabul June 18, 2013. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

The outgoing president’s incentives to make peace are not nearly as strong as the desperate desire for a formal political solution on the part of Western diplomats ahead of the U.S. withdrawal next year.

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