United States Institute of Peace(USIP) / 2010-05-12

As Afghanistan’s political leaders prepare for the Peace Jirga—bringing together some 1,500 Afghan policymakers, community leaders and elders to end the Taliban insurgency—it is important to make sure Afghan women are duly represented and included in any decisions regarding reconciliation. Banished from public life under the Taliban regime, Afghan women were included in the 2001 peace negotiations in Bonn and have steadily occupied an increasing number of public leadership positions in Afghanistan, challenging longstanding patriarchal norms and attitudes regarding women’s role in Afghan society. Despite marked improvements in women’s lives in Afghanistan and greater participation of women in public life, Afghan elders and community leaders continue to demonstrate considerable reluctance to include women in peace talks. Many observers fear, that the Afghan government, desperate for an agreement with the Taliban, will compromise on the issue of women’s rights in the upcoming Peace Jirga, and women will be a pawn in the negotiations, and lose ground for which they have fought hard.

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The Globalist / 2010-05-11

president Karzai’s plan to convene a peace jirga — a grand council with hundreds of representatives from the parliament, the regions and from among religious leaders — is an important milestone in bringing inclusive governance to Kabul and Afghanistan’s regions and strengthening governance

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Guardian / 2010-05-11

Afghanistan is preparing for a consultative peace jirga through which it aspires to build national consensus on the political approach to the insurgency, and create a roadmap towards ending the perpetual violence in the country. The government has indicated that during the jirga it will open its reintegration and reconciliation plan for debate. A version of this plan was first presented at the London conference on Afghanistan in January, where the initiative received financial and political support.

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www.warisboring.com / 2010-05-11

The war in Afghanistan has taken a bizarre turn. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, under foreign pressure to clean up corruption in his government, has apparently warned that he might just side with the Taliban instead. Meanwhile, down south major NATO combat operations continue to target Taliban strongholds. In the east, stretched-thin NATO troops struggle to build grassroots governance and security without much support from Karzai’s regime. Zach Rosenberg, War Is Boring’s youngest correspondent, heads into this morass to observe U.S. counter-insurgency operations up-close.

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Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty / 2010-05-11

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has kicked off a four-day visit to Washington with a dinner hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after arriving in the nation’s capital with an entourage that includes 12 cabinet ministers and several other high-ranking officials from his government. Karzai will spend the day at the State Department and is set to meet with President Barack Obama at the White House on May 12.

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The independent / 2010-05-10

Afghan president Hamid Karzai will arrive in Washington today with a new peace plan that he hopes will persuade a sceptical Barack Obama that it is time to negotiate with the Taliban. After months of criticising the Afghan leader, the visit is an opportunity for the US to attempt to improve a relationship that has dramatically worsened since President Obama came to power. It comes as diplomats prepare for a grand council of tribal leaders in Afghanistan.

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Associated Press(AP) / 2010-05-10

Small pockets of Taliban foot soldiers ready to switch sides are waiting for the Afghan government to roll out a nationwide program to lure them off the battlefield and make peace with their leaders. The plan won’t be completed until after this month’s peace assembly in Kabul, but according to a 36-page draft, it would attract low- to midlevel fighters with promises of jobs, literacy and vocational training plus development aid for their villages.

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Reuters / 2010-05-10

Qudsia cries as she describes how the Taliban shot her husband in the head and stomach 13 years ago. But like a growing number of Afghans, she says talking peace to the insurgents may be an idea whose time has come.

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Human Rights Watch (HRW) / 2010-05-10

President Hamid Karzai and President Barack Obama should pledge at their meeting in Washington on May 11, 2010, not to sacrifice women’s rights in any deals with the Taliban and other insurgent groups, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch urged both leaders to promote greater accountability for abuses in Afghanistan. President Karzai should act to remove corrupt and abusive officials from power and take steps to end widespread impunity. While US forces have adopted measures to reduce civilian casualties during combat operations, they have only been partially effective. President Obama should ensure that incidents involving civilian loss of life result in credible and transparent investigations that result in appropriate disciplinary action, Human Rights Watch said.

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Afghanistan Analysts Network (ANN) / 2010-05-10

‘Peace Jirga goes to Washington,’ was the headline in Payam-e Mujahid newspaper this week. The headline sums up how politics have been on hold in Afghanistan since President Karzai was invited to Washington and also, very succinctly, where the power of decision-making in Afghanistan lies. By Kate Clark.

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