Aug 25, 2011


Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS) hosted a delegation from U.S on August 19, 2011. The delegation included William (Bill) Goodfellow, Executive Director of Center for International Policy; Michael Snarr, PhD Professor of Social and Political Studies at Wilmington College; Ken Takeda, Senior Legislative Assistant to Representative Michael Honda- California’s 15th Congressional District and an area that includes Silicon Valley; Rachel Lipsey, Research Director for U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko of New York; Matt Southworth, Legislative Associate on foreign policy at Friends Committee on National Legislation and Shukria (Ria) Dellawar, Cultural Advisor/Media Analyst.

Director of CAPS, Mr. Hekmat Karzai, welcomed the delegation and thanked it for its visit to Afghanistan and CAPS. Mr. Kousary, Deputy Head of Research, briefed the delegation on CAPS’ practice areas and projects followed by an open discussion where Mr. Hekmat Karzai provided his insights vis-a-vis the ongoing Afghan reconciliation and reintegration process, transition process, and the need for economic development in Afghanistan. He stated that the international community should prioritise making economic investment in Afghanistan over proving aid to it as it is a major long term solution to Afghanistan’s economic and strategic problems. Mr. Karzai added that while transition process in Afghanistan is underway, NATO and U.S. must work hard to enhance Afghan governance and strengthen Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The discussion also focused on Afghanistan-U.S. strategic partnership, which was analysed to the delegation from an Afghan perspective. In conclusion, the delegation offered CAPS’ expertise and findings to be utilized in the delegation’s future work on Afghanistan.