November 9th, 2009 by Jason

Under international and domestic pressure to reform, Afghan President Hamid Karzai declared on Sunday that there is no place for corrupt officials within his new government.  President Karzai also suggested that donor countries share some of the blame for corruption in Afghanistan for failing to establish accountability in their assistance programs.

Former presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani has challenged Karzai to become a “statesman” and lead Afghanistan out of its current morass.  To do so, Karzai must follow through on developing “peace and security; good governance; justice and rule of law; development, education and jobs; peace and reconciliation; and regional and international partnerships.” According to Ghani, “it is not the absence of capability but the exclusion of capable people from the government that has hollowed the state from within.” Ghani concludes that “once the government is committed to the people’s security and wellbeing, public opinion can become a strong source of leverage on the insurgents to opt for peace and justice.”

Meanwhile, there are increasing signs that President Obama will send approximately 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, though it is unlikely any decision is yet final. Regardless of the final number, National Security Advisor Jim Jones affirmed “we will put much more emphasis on battling corruption and putting competent and honest people in positions of authority” during an interview with Der Spiegel. However, Michael Cohen doubts whether “improved governance alone - devoid of any sort of coercive techniques - will convince the population to side with the government.”

In response to calls for a British withdrawal, Boris Johnson argues in The Telegraph that while it “is difficult to promote women’s liberation and democracy … and habeas corpus when you have a constant risk of attack by a resurgent Taliban,” it is ultimately the right thing to do. Furthermore, Theo Farrell in The Guardian observes that despite all the “grim” news coming out of Afghanistan, developments in Helmand province may provide some reason for optimism. For example, schools and health clinics are being built, poppy cultivation is down, wheat planting is up, and security is improving.

Posted in Afghanistan, Democracy Promotion, EU, Elections, Military, Multilateralism, Reform, Taliban, US foreign policy, US politics, al-Qaeda |