As the debate on future U.S. strategy draws to a close, the balance of power in Afghanistan seems to be shifting in the Taliban’s favor. Gilles Dorronsoro explains that more troops alone will not fix a flawed approach: the United States and its allies need to focus on protecting key cities and roads and reallocating resources to the North.
Additional Afghanistan Resources:
U.S. Afghan Strategy: The Big Questions
What's Really Happening in Afghanistan
The Taliban's Winning Strategy in Afghanistan
India’s prime minister, Manmohan Singh, will travel to Washington on November 24 to meet with President Obama. Ashley Tellis suggests that the U.S. administration should use this opportunity to announce its support for a permanent seat for India on the United Nations Security Council, and to engage in dialogue on key issues like nonproliferation and climate change.
Additional Resources:
The United States and India 3.0
U.S.–India Relations on the Eve of Singh’s Visit
The upcoming 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference is an opportunity to strengthen the struggling nonproliferation regime. Deepti Choubey identifies achievable goals for the conference and outlines the steps nuclear and non-nuclear-weapon states must take to avert a complete failure of the regime.
More on Nuclear Policy:
Abolishing Nuclear Weapons: A Debate
Why Obama is Right on Missile Defense
Taming the Great Nuclear Powers
Democracy is largely stagnant in the world and a growing number of governments exhibit hostility toward international democracy aid. Thomas Carothers explains that tackling longstanding problems with the basic structures of U.S. democracy aid would boost President Obama’s effort to formulate an approach to democracy promotion. As the largest source of such assistance, USAID is an obvious starting point for deep-reaching reforms.
More on U.S. Democracy Promotion:
Democracy and Human Rights Promotion Under Obama
Discussion on the Challenge of USAID
Stepping Back from Democratic Pessimism
In the wake of the global financial crisis, governments have an opportunity to rethink their economic policies. Alejandro Foxley outlines how Latin American countries can achieve development with fewer inequalities and greater capacity for innovation.
More on International Economics:
The Global Financial Crisis and Middle-Income Countries
International Economics Bulletin
Pakistan’s new and fragile government must reform the country’s intelligence agencies to counter their influence on civil society and politics. A new report explains that with patience, resolve, and assistance from the international community, Pakistan’s government can successfully reassert civilian control over the intelligence community.
More on Pakistan:
Engaging Pakistan—Getting the Balance Right
Rethinking Western Strategies Toward Pakistan
Kenya’s economy has yet to recover from the global financial crisis and the upheaval that followed the disputed elections of 2007. The ongoing Doha Round of trade negotiations could improve Kenya’s competitive position in processed food and agriculture, but long-term development requires the strengthening of other economic sectors.
More on Trade:
Brazil in the Global Economy
The Limits of Export-Led Growth
U.S. offshore oil reserves are too small to significantly impact world oil prices or America’s reliance on foreign oil. Whitney Leonard explains that alternatives to offshore drilling could effectively maximize long-term environmental, economic, and security gains.
Additional Climate and Energy Resources:
Can a Deal be Reached at Copenhagen?