The Afghanistan Affairs
Publications
Research, analysis, policy briefs, and commentary on Afghanistan’s economy, governance, security, and regional integration.
- Featured Report·Governance
Rethinking Democratization in Post-9/11 Afghanistan: State-Building Before Democracy?
Democracy failed in Afghanistan not because it is incompatible with Afghan society, but because democratic competition was introduced before the institutional foundations were firmly established. The sequencing of political development matters.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · June 25, 2026
- Policy Brief·Economy
A Review of the Latest World Bank's Afghanistan Development Update (ADU)
Afghanistan achieved 4.8% GDP growth and improved tax revenues, yet GDP per capita declined 5.6% as refugee returns drove rapid population growth. Macroeconomic gains have not yet reached most Afghans.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · June 10, 2026
- Analysis·Regional Affairs
Afghanistan and Pakistan: Fairy Tale of Two Upset Neighbors
Mutual mistrust persists between two neighbors who share cultural heritage and language. Terrorism, refugee populations, and a long blame game keep the relationship locked in suspicion.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · June 12, 2020
- Analysis·Governance
Peace in Afghanistan: The Unanswered Question of Governance
As US–Taliban negotiations advanced in 2019, the central question of governance went unaddressed — constitutional democracy versus the Taliban’s Emirate model remained unreconciled.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · August 14, 2019
- Analysis·Regional Affairs
Afghanistan's New Ambassador to Pakistan: Opportunity for Better Af-Pak Relations?
The appointment of Dr. Hazrat-Omar Zakhilwal, a former Chief Economist, signals a chance to anchor Afghanistan–Pakistan ties in economic cooperation rather than recurring crisis.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · December 2, 2015
- Policy Brief·Economy
Dealing with Poverty is Another Priority for the New Govt. in Kabul
With President Ashraf Ghani’s government taking hold, poverty — stubbornly near 38 percent despite years of aid — demands a central place on the national agenda.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · March 16, 2015
- Commentary·Regional Affairs
Time is Ripe for a New Chapter in Af-Pak Relations
Ashraf Ghani’s presidency offered fresh hope for peace and stability — and an early opening to reset Afghanistan’s troubled relationship with Pakistan.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · October 19, 2014
- Analysis·Governance
Afghans Successfully Conduct Run-Off Presidential Elections
On June 14, nearly 7 million Afghans again voted for peace and democracy, completing a run-off that underscored the public’s commitment to the ballot.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · June 17, 2014
- Analysis·Governance·Pashto
يوه څوکۍ او ۱۱ کاندیدان (One Seat and Eleven Candidates)
A Pashto-language analysis of Afghanistan’s 2014 presidential contest and the crowded field of candidates competing for the country’s highest office.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · April 27, 2014
- Analysis·Security·Dari
افغانستان بعد از ۲۰۱۴ (Afghanistan After 2014)
A Dari-language examination of Afghanistan’s transition after the drawdown of international forces, and the development shifts the country has seen since the 1990s.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · April 22, 2014
- Commentary·Governance
Afghan Elections: A Proof of Success in Afghanistan
As Afghanistan transitions toward democracy, the world should recognize that intervention has not failed — the elections are themselves proof of meaningful progress.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · April 22, 2014
- Commentary·Security
The West Should Reconsider Total Afghan Exit
If the West is unhappy with Russia’s move on Crimea, it should reconsider a total exit from Afghanistan to avoid creating another zone of instability.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · March 28, 2014
- Analysis·Security
The Quarrel on BSA — Wishes of the Afghan People
Negotiations on the Bilateral Security Agreement stalled over differing views on peace guarantees, even as most Afghans favored concluding the deal.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · March 12, 2014
- Commentary·Society & Culture
Why Afghans are 'The Dark Horse' in Sports
Afghan cricketers, dubbed the “Dark Horse” of the international game, embody a resilience and unity that extends well beyond the pitch.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · March 5, 2014
- Policy Brief·Security
The Bilateral Security Agreement in Afghanistan
The BSA extends base access to US forces and sets the framework for American military operations in post-2014 Afghanistan.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · February 22, 2014
- Policy Brief·Economy
Fighting Poverty Today
Our generation has seen unprecedented progress against global poverty, yet millions — many of them Afghans — remain at risk and unreached.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · February 22, 2014
- Policy Brief·Governance
Perception of Corruption in Afghanistan
Transparency International ranked Afghanistan 175th on corruption perception, reflecting systemic challenges in governance and the use of development aid.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · December 11, 2013
- Analysis·Governance
Kabul Consults on Afghan-US Treaty in a Loya Jirga
President Karzai convened a Loya Jirga consultative council to weigh the fate of the bilateral agreement with the United States.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · November 4, 2013
- Analysis·Security
Afghan Prospects for Post-2014 Era
The coalition’s 2014 withdrawal plans set in motion a handover of security responsibility and a recalibration of development across the country.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · October 10, 2013
- Analysis·Governance
Afghan Elections for the Future of Afghanistan
Inclusiveness, candidate credibility, and electoral transparency emerge as the critical tests facing Afghanistan’s 2014 presidential elections.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · October 10, 2013
- Analysis·Security
Afghan Security After US Withdrawal
As coalition forces prepare to leave by 2014, concerns mount that echo the uncertainty of the Soviet withdrawal era.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · October 10, 2013
- Analysis·Regional Affairs
Afghanistan's Pakistan Challenge
The cross-border dynamics with Pakistan remain among the most consequential — and most intractable — challenges to Afghan stability.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · October 8, 2013
- Commentary·Security
The Mistake of Forgetting Afghanistan
Disengagement carries a price. Allowing Afghanistan to slip from international attention risks repeating the costly errors of the 1990s.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · October 7, 2013
- Analysis·Governance
A Unified Kabul After Coalition Withdrawal
Political cohesion in Kabul will determine whether the post-coalition transition holds together or fractures along familiar fault lines.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · October 6, 2013
- Analysis·Governance
The Challenge of Democracy in Afghanistan
Building durable democratic practice in Afghanistan means contending with institutions, expectations, and a difficult security environment all at once.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · October 5, 2013
- Analysis·Security
Doha Taliban Talks: Opportunity or Threat?
The opening of a Taliban office in Doha raised hopes for dialogue — and fears about legitimacy and leverage in any negotiated settlement.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · October 4, 2013
- Commentary·Society & Culture
Sports Uniting Afghans
From cricket to football, sport has become a rare and powerful force for national unity across Afghanistan’s diverse communities.
By Moheb Jabarkhail · October 2, 2013