Mar 07, 2010

Three Senior Research Analysts from Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS); Mr. Saifullah Ahmadzai, Mr. Abdul Halim Achakzai and Mr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan Karimi, attended a two week intensive training course at the International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) in Singapore from February 1st to February 12th, 2010. The ICPVTR is a research center within the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

The participants of the training course were from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.  During the first week of the training program the main focus was on strategic, operational and tactical counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. In the presentations, the lecturer focused on some specific themes such as extremisms on the internet; counter ideology, communication and terrorism finances as well as sharing their some of their experiences with participants from other countries.

The second week of the training program was focused on research methodologies, terrorism and counter terrorism responses and presentation skills.  Each presentation was followed by open discussion and questions and answer sessions in which the three analysts from CAPS were engaged in dialogue with other analysts and presenters.

The participants from CAPS also gave presentations on various topics. Mr. Saifullah Ahmadzai presented on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Afghanistan. Mr. Abdul Halim Achakzai presented on the Challenges to Democratization in Afghanistan and Mr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan Karimi presented on the Al-Qaida Network.  At the end of the two-week training program, the three analysts received Certificates in “Terrorism Analyst Training Course” from the ICPVTR. In addition, the training provided tremendous exposure to the three analysts, where they received an opportunity to interact with analysts and policy makers from various countries that helped them enhance their expertise.