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Resource Library
Afghanistan
Afghanistan | Democracy - Civil Society | Development | Gender
“Listen to the voice of the people”: Afghan perspectives on legislative bodies, access to information, and protecting women’s rights
Report | November 21, 2019
“I would tell them (the Members of Parliament) to listen to the voice of people and theyshould not focus on their personal interest alone” Older man, Kabul. The Afghan experience…
Afghanistan | Conflict Resolution & Stabilization | Development | Gender
“No One Should Be Beyond the Law”: A Survey of Progress in Building the Rule of Law in Afghanistan
Report | November 21, 2019
“No one, even the President, should be beyond the law” – Head Judge, Primary Court With years of efforts and billions of dollars expended to rebuild Afghanistan’s justice system, this…
Afghanistan | Corporate | Corruption & Compliance | Development | Methodologies
Measuring Corruption & Compliance: A Practical Toolkit
By Craig Charney | Press Clip | August 27, 2015 | 5 pages
Getting Solid Data on Corruption and Compliance: A Guide
Afghanistan | Democracy - Civil Society
The Real Winner in Afghanistan’s Election
By Craig Charney and James Stavridis | Insights | Series II | No. 5 | July 2014
We don’t know yet who will prevail in Afghanistan’s approaching presidential runoff, but we already know the big winner — the Afghan people. The big loser, of course, is the…
Afghanistan | Democracy - Civil Society
Afghan Civil Society Assessment
Report | December 1, 2011 | 80 pages
This report offers an evaluation of the progress made by Afghan Civil Society organizations since 2005 by drawing on key informant and focus group interviews. It assesses the impact of the USAID-funded Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society (IPACS) on organizations that have participated in the program.
Afghanistan | Counter Insurgency
Afghanistan’s Reasons for Optimism
By Craig Charney and James Dobbins | The Washington Post | May 31, 2011 | 2 pages
This article discusses the findings of a Washington Post-ABC News Poll in which Afghans express their optimism about their future. This surprising optimism has deep roots in the underlying realities. Afghanistan people are making sensible judgments.
Booming Afghan Biz: One Key to Long Term Peace
By Craig Charney & Mohammed Nasib | New York Post | July 24, 2010
This article discusses an under-reported phenomenon occurring in Afghanistan – its booming economy and the optimism of Afghan firms regarding the future. Prosperity in economic terms is key to long term peace and Afghanistan is making tremendous progress since the Taliban’s overthrow.
Afghanistan | Counter Insurgency
The Surge is Working
By Craig Charney | Newsweek | March 1, 2010 | 2 pages
This Daily Beast article discusses why President Obama’s Afghanistan counterinsurgency troop surge strategy is working. Taliban’s influence is dwindling all across Afghanistan, bar Helmand province—its stronghold. Afghanistan’s demography, sociology, military situation, and politics jointly explain this evolvement.
Afghanistan | Corporate | Economic Growth & Entrepreneurship
Afghan Business Attitudes on the Economy, Government, and Business Organizations
Report | January 1, 2010 | 38 pages
The development of a thriving, dynamic, and resilient commercial sector in Afghanistan is crucial to maintain political stability in the country and achieve long-term security from both internal and external threats. This report, based on survey research, offers insights into attitudes of Afghan businesses with regards to their own and other community prospects.
Afghanistan | Conflict Resolution & Security
New Strategies for Afghanistan
Report | January 1, 2008 | 22 pages
Craig Charney presents the findings of the Charney/ABC News Afghanistan poll at the Center for National Policy. Charts reveal public opinion trends in Afghanistan and strategic implications for the rest of the world.
Afghanistan | Conflict Resolution & Security
Afghans’ Criticism of US Effort Rises: In the Southwest, Taliban Support Grows
Report | December 3, 2007 | 34 pages
This report, based on an ABC News/BBS/ARD poll, examines Afghans’ opinions both of U.S. efforts and the Taliban. Frustrated by ongoing violence and uneven development, Afghans have grown sharply more critical of U.S. efforts in their country—and in the beleaguered Southwest, support for the Taliban, ousted from power six years ago, is on the rise.
Afghanistan | Conflict Resolution & Security | Democracy - Civil Society
Hearts and Minds: Afghan Opinion on the Taliban, Government, and International Forces
Report | August 1, 2007 | 6 pages
This brief from a discussion of a panel of experts at a meeting of the United States Institute of Peace’s Afghanistan Working Group discusses current trends in public opinion in Afghanistan with regards to the performance of the Afghan government and the Taliban resurgence. Since the election of new leaders and the establishment of a new constitution, the government of Afghanistan has been trying to prove its legitimacy and ability to foster stability, security, and the rule of law. The Taliban resurgence is playing a major role in public perception of the government’s competence and the role of the international forces. Understanding these current trends in public opinion can aid in tailoring the international intervention to ensure that prior progress is not lost and that elements corroding the strength of the state are diminished.
Afghanistan | Counter Insurgency | Gender
There’s Grounds for Hope in Afghanistan
By Craig Charney and Isobel Coleman | CFR.org | June 18, 2007 | 3 pages
This article for The Globe and Mail discusses the reasons to be hopeful with regards to the potential for positive changes in Afghanistan: Afghans themselves are changing their society, with Afghan women playing a leading role. Despite the Taliban’s military revival, Afghan women have won broad support for their rights to study, work, and vote, largely gained since the Taliban’s 2001 ouster, and overwhelmingly reject their former oppressors. But, at the same time, Afghans are struggling to reconcile many of their Islamic traditions with the modern world, as the case of women also shows.
Afghan Human Development Report
Report | January 1, 2007 | 198 pages
This report outlines the economic growth and social development in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2007, and the challenges facing continuous development. For Afghans, human development means government institutions and a society that educates its young, offers medical services to all, facilitates sustainable livelihoods, and ensures peace in a manner consistent with Island.
Afghanistan | Conflict Resolution & Security | Democracy - Civil Society
Misunderstanding Afghanistan
By Craig Charney and Gary Langer | The Washington Post | December 17, 2006 | 2 pages
This Washington Post article discusses misconceptions within the West with regards to the conditions in Afghanistan. The full picture of Afghanistan’s rugged terrain is much more complex: While active, the Taliban lacks popular support. Though Karzai’s honeymoon is over, he retains majority backing. The Afghan state is relatively weak, but it is present—and popular, in most of the country. Unlike Iraq, Afghanistan is a country where the populace favors the U.S. and allied military presence.
Afghanistan | Conflict Resolution & Security | Democracy - Civil Society
Strife Erodes Afghan Optimism Five Years After the Taliban’s Fall
Report | January 1, 2006 | 27 pages
This report of a survey conducted by Charney Research for ABC News/BBC World Services discuses the various reasons why optimism has declined within Afghanistan five years after the fall of the Taliban.
Afghanistan | Conflict Resolution & Security | Democracy - Civil Society
Despite Deep Challenges in Daily Life, Afghans Express a Positive Outlook
Report | December 7, 2005 | 4 pages
This article of a survey conducted for ABC News by Charney Research of New York with field work by the Afghan Center for Social and Opinion Research in Kabul finds that four years after the fall of the Taliban, Afghans express both vast support for the changes that have shaken their country and remarkable optimism for the future, despite the deep challenges they face in economic opportunity, security and basic services alike.
Afghanistan | Democracy - Civil Society
Afghan Success Story
By Craig Charney | The Washington Post | July 30, 2004 | 2 pages
This Washington Post article discusses Charney Research’s survey results that gauged the interest of Afghan citizens in upcoming elections. Charney’s survey showed that nearly three years after U.S. troops launched the war on terrorism in Afghanistan to drive out the Taliban and Osama bin Laden, Afghans want democracy. Though big problems — public ignorance, administrative and partisan difficulties, and insecurity — must be faced if the elections are to succeed, the research indicates democracy’s chances in Afghanistan may be better than widely thought.
Afghanistan | Democracy - Civil Society
Optimism in Afghanistan
By Ryan Sager | New York Post | July 27, 2004 | 2 pages
This New York Post article discusses the results of the first-ever public opinion poll conducted in Afghanistan by Charney Research showing that people there are optimistic about the future and excited about upcoming elections. Afghanistan has a constitution, is registering voters and is moving toward holding a presidential election in October.
Afghanistan | Democracy - Civil Society
Voter Education Planning Survey: Afghanistan 2004 National Elections
Report | July 1, 2004 | 124 pages
This report for the Asia Foundation based on a public opinion poll consisting of a random, representative sample of 804 in-person interviews offers detailed, quantified information on the knowledge and attitudes of Afghan citizens regarding their country’s September 2004 national elections. The mood is positive in most of the country, with Afghans identifying the major problems facing their country as its weak economy, the security situation, a poor education system, and shattered infrastructure. Nonetheless, a large majority is pleased with the Transitional Government and President Karzai’s job performance.
Afghanistan | Democracy - Civil Society
Ask the Afghans, And they’ll tell you they’re looking forward to their first free elections.
By Craig Charney | The Weekly Standard | May 17, 2004 | 5 pages
This article discusses the results of a poll consisting of in-depth, open-ended interviews intended to offer a window on the views of the Afghan electorate. While unease has grown in Kabul with the Taliban and its allies increasing their pressure, something different and important has been happening in the provinces, much less reported. Many Afghans have come to feel hopeful about their country and look forward to its first free elections, planned for September.
Afghanistan | Democracy - Civil Society
Voices of Afghanistan: Afghans Speak about Their Country, Elections, Gender, and Democracy
Report | March 1, 2004 | 76 pages
This report for the Asia Foundation based on 32 in-depth interviews offers an assessment of what typical Afghan voters think about various issues related to the upcoming elections and possible voter education campaigns. The Afghans interviewed are optimistic about their country’s future because the beginnings of peace, normality, and reconstruction outweigh their disappointment over continuing problems of insecurity, warlordism, and poverty.
Afghanistan | Democracy - Civil Society
Afghanistan: Bullets vs. Ballots
By Craig Charney | New York Post | December 4, 2003 | 2 pages
This New York Post article describes terrorist activities in Kabul with the reappearance of the Taliban in the country’s southeast, and the changing tactics being deployed to prevent the continuance of a resurgent enemy as Afghans are determined to rebuild their country, working with foreign help.
