12 Jul 2021
Abandoning Afghanistan won’t bring peace
The pledge of a “a responsible end” to America’s involvement in Afghanistan’s war will likely have the opposite effect.
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22 Jun 2021
Standing with Afghanistan: Inclusion and women’s rights in peace talks
Australia, and the world, must insist that negotiations safeguard women’s rights, else talk of peace will be empty. -
29 Mar 2021
An interim government would bring ruin to Afghanistan
A US proposal to dissolve the Afghan administration risks a tragic repeat of the past. -
25 Mar 2021
Afghanistan: When a song is not just a song
A move to prohibit girls singing was met with a big backlash on social media – a sign of the times, old and new. -
8 Mar 2021
Something has to give: The cost of no peace in Afghanistan
Wavering US commitment, a weak government and a waiting Taliban keep Afghans’ future at risk. -
23 Feb 2021
Afghanistan: To leave or not to leave
Under the Doha deal, US forces are meant to be out of the country in mere weeks. Either way, peace appears far off. -
20 Nov 2020
Australia’s mission in Afghanistan – what was it again?
Nothing can reduce the responsibility of individuals. But the political context for a “forever war” is relevant, too. -
20 Oct 2020
Can China be a peacemaker in Afghanistan?
China has so far stayed on the sidelines of the intra-Afghan talks, but it could play a big role in ending the conflict. -
14 Oct 2020
Afghanistan and Iran: From water treaty to water dispute
A dam near completion on the Helmand River in Afghanistan is at the centre of a disagreement over water rights. -
25 Sep 2020
Intra-Afghan talks and future of Pakistan-Taliban relations
Long regarded as the not-so-invisible hand behind the Taliban, Pakistan has steadily lost its influence over the group. -
11 Sep 2020
For real peace, Afghanistan needs a Plan B
A US exit opens the way to complete takeover by the Taliban, precisely what they – and Pakistan – have long wished for. -
12 Aug 2020
Afghanistan’s unseen Covid crisis
In a country familiar with tragedy, the pandemic is met with a dose of nonchalance. But the numbers keep going up. -
10 Jun 2020
The key to peace in Afghanistan? Eliminate Taliban sanctuaries
Unless Pakistan’s support to the Afghan insurgency is shut down, there is no chance of a lasting Afghan peace. -
25 May 2020
In Afghanistan, one step forward, but peace still a far leap
After presidential rivals settle on a power-sharing deal, the big question remains: Will the Taliban come to the table? -
14 May 2020
The Taliban’s empty promises of peace
An insurgent attack on a Kabul maternity hospital, in a pandemic, exposes hollow claims of sparing the innocent. -
7 May 2020
With US Afghan exit, Russia eyes Central Asian security
An unstable Afghanistan threatens all kinds of trouble for its neighbours. For Russia, it may be a golden opportunity. -
27 Apr 2020
The Taliban makes the most of Covid-19 crisis in Afghanistan
Whether for propaganda or political clout, the group has adopted an unexpected response to the outbreak. -
26 Mar 2020
In the shadow of a pandemic, political calamity grips Afghanistan
Duelling claims to the presidency, a bitter US benefactor, and a galvanised Taliban ratchet up the uncertainty. -
28 Feb 2020
In Afghanistan, peace or fragmentation?
A potential US-Taliban deal and a shaky presidential re-election stir both hope for the future and fears of the past. -
24 Feb 2020
A US-Taliban deal: What price for peace?
Bitter experience shows that a “rotten compromise” will carry within it the seeds of future war. -
31 Jan 2020
Afghan transit a game changer for Gwadar port
The Chinese-run port in Pakistan, a vital part of the belt-and-road plan, may have found a path to success. -
9 Jan 2020
Could Afghanistan be the stage for US-Iran conflict?
If Tehran pursues further retaliation for the US strike on a top commander, its neighbour to the east is an easy mark. -
12 Dec 2019
Afghan peace is elusive but not impossible
With the renewed possibility of talks between the government and the Taliban, how can they be set up to succeed? -
22 Nov 2019
Afghan elections bring no peace
Continued delays in announcing results have led to calls for an interim government, while the Taliban bide their time. -
7 Nov 2019
The uncertain fate of Islamic State in Pakistan
The death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is a major blow, but Islamic State in Pakistan is not dead yet. -
10 Oct 2019
Afghan elections: Impressions from polling day
Low voter turnout and polling irregularities threaten to undermine whoever emerges as the country’s next president. -
4 Oct 2019
Afghanistan: Water management for peace
Formalising agreements with neighbouring countries over water usage will go a long way towards preventing conflict -
26 Sep 2019
Ghani vs Abdullah: The contest to be Afghanistan’s president
Ghani’s ranks are depleted with the exodus of erstwhile influential allies, but he remains a frontrunner with Abdullah. -
18 Sep 2019
Afghanistan – what’s next?
Talks or not, none of the scenarios for the immediate future of Afghanistan are good. -
11 Sep 2019
Not such a great game
Pakistan staked its fortunes on brokering a US-Taliban peace deal in Afghanistan. Then Donald Trump scuttled it. -
7 Aug 2019
Trump bets on Pakistan to deliver peace in Afghanistan
The hope might rest with Imran Khan, but for all the warm words, Pakistan can do only so much to influence the Taliban. -
18 Apr 2019
US-Taliban negotiations: marginalising women is no path to peace
Major problems confound the Afghanistan peace talks and risk the democratic and human rights gains made over 17 years. -
19 Mar 2019
Peace in Afghanistan: the tumultuous road ahead
The next round of peace talks will be anything but straightforward if the previous negotiations are anything to go by. -
15 Mar 2019
China’s “South Asia challenge” for the Belt and Road Initiative
Chinese strategists have identified three trends that pose severe challenges to the promotion of the BRI in South Asia. -
11 Mar 2019
Can the Taliban movement become a meaningful diplomatic actor?
Despite the urgency for peace in Afghanistan, it is important to evaluate the characteristics of the Taliban. -
6 Feb 2019
Through the Taliban’s eyes: peace prospects in Afghanistan
<p>Insights gleaned from Taliban documents suggest little chance of an escape from strife. </p> -
1 Feb 2019
US, Taliban, Afghanistan peace talks: timing is critical
<p>Should the US agree to a full pull-out of its troops, Afghanistan may fall into the chaos of the past.</p> -
21 Jan 2019
Talking to the Taliban: challenges for Kabul
The Taliban wants to turn a stalemate into its favour after Washington declared a time-bound approach to a settlement. -
21 Dec 2018
Could Hanif Atmar become the next President of Afghanistan?
Seen as a cleanskin, Atmar would have a colossal job to convince international donors to keep up support. -
4 Dec 2018
Dilemmas in Afghanistan’s paradoxical peace drama
How can peace talks with the Taliban lead to a durable peace when there is no domestic or regional consensus? -
26 Nov 2018
Afghanistan: the Hazaras are not safe
It would be an act of common decency for Australia to put a moratorium on all removals of Hazaras to Afghanistan. -
16 Oct 2018
The corridor of power
The remote Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan was central to the Silk Road, Great Game, and Cold War – now China has plans. -
19 Jun 2018
Ceasefire in Afghanistan: the first win for peace
Despite incidents of violence, opinion on all sides has increasingly converged towards a peaceful resolution to end the ongoing strife in Afghanistan. -
20 Mar 2018
Indonesia’s “Islamic diplomacy” seeks to broker an Afghan peace
This is not the first time Jakarta has sought opportunities by mediating a peace process, but there are plenty of obstacles. -
4 Dec 2017
Militia blues: How many more armed groups does Afghanistan need?
A collective amnesia appears to have taken hold about the wisdom of standing up yet another militia. -
6 Oct 2017
Afghanistan: US offers Pakistan yet another ‘last chance’
US threats are not seen as credible and are unlikely to work on Pakistan in the future. -
29 May 2017
Why Australia should send more military advisers to Afghanistan
Our contribution should meet the need expressed by the commander, stay for as long as is necessary, and contribute to military and political success. -
23 Mar 2017
Getting the juice to flow in Afghanistan's private sector
By showing it is possible to succeed in Afghanistan, Omaid Bahar is an important example for would-be entrepreneurs. -
22 Dec 2016
Afghanistan: Big power disagreements add to instability
Problems and disagreements between the Afghan government and its international allies have impeded progress.