One month ago, the U.S. government and the Taliban signed a troop withdrawal agreement that paved the way for an intra-Afghan dialogue meant to end a nearly 19-year war. However, due to various obstacles, and despite extensive mediation by senior U.S. officials, including a surprise visit to Kabul by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on March 23, that dialogue has not begun. In the meantime, the Taliban has stepped up attacks. Still, recent developments, including progress on a Taliban prisoner release plan, suggest the stalemate could soon end.
This online-only event, organized by the Wilson Center's Asia Program in partnership with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, will discuss where things stand with peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan; what can be done to overcome the challenges; what the coronavirus could mean for Afghan peace prospects; and what role Washington should play.
WHEN: March 30, 2020 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
WHERE: Watch live on Wilson Center's website. Questions for the panelists can be tweeted to @AsiaProgram or emailed to asia@wilsoncenter.org.
SPEAKERS:
Sami Mahdi
Bureau Chief, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Afghanistan Service (Radio Azadi)
Nilofar Sakhi
Professorial Lecturer in International Affairs, George Washington University
Ashley Jackson
Research Associate, Overseas Development Institute
Laurel Miller
Director, Asia Program, International Crisis Group, and Former Acting U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
MODERATOR:
Michael Kugelman
Deputy Director, Asia Program, and Senior Associate for South Asia, Woodrow Wilson Center