2009/12/28

 

Holiday reading: the latest AAN Blogs

 

First of all the Afghanistan Analysts Network would like to wish you a happy and relaxing holiday season and - most of all - a more peaceful 2010. Although things do not look well, we continue to hope and work for a better future for Afghanistan

Finally, we would like to point you towards the latest AAN blogs, that have come out since the last mailing. We look back on 2009 and towards 2010 in Thomas' blog 'Happy Christmas'. We look at the confusion surrounding the fight against corruption and the elections. We listen to the thoughts and worries of Afghans. We consider the fate of those mistakenly detained. And we remember Dr Bernt Glatzer with respect and fondness.

Happy Christmas (But war isn't over)

'Happy Xmas (War is over)' - this was John Lennon's wish in his beautiful 1971 holiday's single already. The ex-Beatle (killed already 29 years ago) wasn't referring to Afghanistan, obviously, then.

Rearranging election outcomes while the IEC archive burns

While people across the world are wrapping their last gifts and doing their last Christmas shopping, Afghanistan still has unfinished election business. And it is clear that we haven't seen the last of all the bizarre twists and turns.

The Cabinet list

For those of you - sitting under the Christmas tree - who have not been able to find the complete Cabinet list yet, please find it below. With some of the most basic facts added. Corrections and additions, as always, welcome.

Thoughts and worries

There is a lot to worry about in Afghanistan. The politics of government, cabinet and parliament. The local power play of oppression and violence. The future, the family, where the country is headed. How bad the winter is going to be. Some conversation fragments.

Until you get the wrong Ahmad...

Recently, I participated in a discussion in Washington where I drew a lot of anger when I said that 'kinetic' house searches still alienate many Afghans - if they don't push them into Taleban ranks. That's not correct, I was told, the US and NATO forces have changed their approach. Here a first-hand story that shows that this malpractice is even spreading, now to Afghanistan's North. Read a contribution by AAN member Susanne Schmeidl.

The confused fight against corruption

This morning saw the opening of a three-day national conference to identify "best practices and effective measures" in the fight against corruption. There will be workshops attended by government officials and civil society actors from all over the country, but today I only stayed for the opening statements in the grand hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And what was said and not said in those few hours both illustrated and confirmed how difficult dealing with corruption is going to be.

How Do Afghans Tick? (in memoriam Bernt Glatzer)

The following is the translation of an interview given by late Dr Bernt Glatzer to a Berlin daily newspaper in 2008. He talks about how he himself became involved in Afghanistan, gives his opinion about current events and covers the ethics of ethnologists in war.

Obituary Dr. Bernt Glatzer (by AGA)

The following obituary of our late Advisory Board member Dr Bernt Glatzer was published by (German) Wissenschaftliche Arbeitsgemeinschaft Afghanistan (AGA) [Scientific Working Group on Afghanistan] whose chairman Bernt was from 2001 to 2007. It cointains a comprehensive professional biography, including Bernt's major publications.

BERNT GLATZER PASSED AWAY

The following is the translation of an interview given by late Dr Bernt Glatzer to a Berlin daily newspaper in 2008. He talks about how he himself became involved in Afghanistan, gives his opinion about current events and covers the ethics of ethnologists in war.

 

مدیر مسوول : دیپلوم انجنیرعمر محسن زاده

صاحب امتیاز : انجنیرنجیب یوسفی

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