Overview

In the wake of the Taliban nightmare, Afghanistan must tackle serious problems before it can emerge as a confident, independent nation. Security in this battered state continues to deteriorate; suicide bombings, convoy ambushes, and insurgent attacks are all too common. Effective state building will depend upon eliminating the national security crisis and enhancing the rule of law. This book offers a blueprint for moving the embattled nation toward greater democracy and prosperity. Robert Rotberg and his colleagues argue that the future success of state building in Afghanistan depends on lessening its dependence on opium and enhancing its economic status. Many of Afghanistan's security problems are related to poppy growing, opium and heroin production, and drug trafficking. Building a New Afghanistan suggests controversial new alternatives to immediate eradication, which is foolish and counter-productive. These options include monetary incentives for growing wheat, a viable local crop. Greater wheat production would feed hungry Afghans while reducing narco-trafficking and the terror that comes with it. Integrating this land-locked country into the Central Asia or greater Eurasia economy would open up trading partnerships with its northern and western neighbors as well as with Pakistan, India, and possibly China. Developing a sense of common purpose among citizens would benefit the economy and could help to unite the nation. Perhaps most important, bolstering better governance in Afghanistan is necessary in order to eliminate chaos and corruption and enact nationwide reforms. Fresh and insightful, Building a New Afghanistan shows what the country's leadership and the international community should do to resolve dangerous issues and bolster a still fragile state. Contributors include Cindy Fazey (University of Liverpool), Ali Jalali (former minister of the interior, Afghanistan, and National Defense University), Hekmat Karzai (Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies, Afghanistan, and Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, Singapore), Alistair J. McKechnie (World Bank Country Director for Afghanistan), Paula Newburg (Skidmore College), and S. Frederick Starr (Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University).

Full Product Details

9780815775690

Table of Contents

Reviews

This impressive collection of articles focuses on the serious obstacles Afghanistan must confront before it can successfully emerge as a confident, independent nation. Written by experienced and expert Afghan, US, and British contributors, the essays examine the overriding dilemmas and fundamental perils in great depth....A fine piece of scholarship, essential for those interested in Middle East politics. -S. Ayubi, Rutgers, CHOICE, 10/1/2007 | An absolute 'must-read' for anyone seeking the latest insights, perspective, and possible solutions to Afghanistan's current quagmire. Highly recommended. - Internet Bookwatch, 9/1/2007 | This collection of essays by experts with substantial reform experience on the ground, many in official capacities, provides readers with an excellent overview of the current situation in Afghanistan. It also offers both a comprehensive model of state-building and an understanding of the intricacies, vicious cycles, and practical dilemmas inherent in international development assistance....this book makes a powerful addition to the state-building literature. - International Journal on World Peace

This impressive collection of articles focuses on the serious obstacles Afghanistan must confront before it can successfully emerge as a confident, independent nation. Written by experienced and expert Afghan, US, and British contributors, the essays examine the overriding dilemmas and fundamental perils in great depth...A fine piece of scholarship, essential for those interested in Middle East politics. - S. Ayubi, Rutgers, CHOICE, 10/1/2007 An absolute 'must-read' for anyone seeking the latest insights, perspective, and possible solutions to Afghanistan's current quagmire. Highly recommended. - Internet Bookwatch, 9/1/2007 This collection of essays by experts with substantial reform experience on the ground, many in official capacities, provides readers with an excellent overview of the current situation in Afghanistan. It also offers both a comprehensive model of state-building and an understanding of the intricacies, vicious cycles, and practical dilemmas inherent in international development assistance...this book makes a powerful addition to the state-building literature. - International Journal on World Peace

Author Information

Robert I. Rotberg is director of the Program on Intrastate Conflict, Conflict Prevention, and Conflict Resolution at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and president of the World Peace Foundation. Rotberg is the author or editor of numerous books, including State Failure and State Weakness in a Time of Terror (Brookings/WPF, 2003).

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