Tag Archives: Afghanistan

21 October 2014

CIA Study finds that past attempts to arm foreign forces covertly had a minimal impact on the outcome of conflicts

The New York Times recently reported that a still-classified C.I.A review, one of several such studies commissioned in 2012 and 2013 by the Obama administration, concluded that many past attempts by the agency to arm foreign forces covertly had a minimal impact on the long-term outcome of a conflict and proved even less effective when militias fought without any direct American support on the ground. (more…)

Source: The New York Times | C.I.A. Study of Covert Aid Fueled Skepticism About Helping Syrian Rebels

8 May 2014

Responsibility of the UK for detentions in Afghanistan: questions of attribution of conduct

In a decision of 2 May 2014, the British High Court of Justice held that the United Kingdom (UK) was responsible for the continued detention of an individual in Afghanistan, in violation of human rights law. The decision has already been commented on, notably here, here and here, focusing on the affirmation by the Court that the UK’s international human rights obligations applied to the non-international armed conflict in Afghanistan. This post will briefly address another important aspect of the decision, that of attribution of conduct.

The case was brought by Serdar Mohammed, an Afghan national who had been captured by British forces part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in April 2010 on the suspicion of being a member of the Taliban. He remained detained without charges until July 2010, when he was transferred to Afghan authorities. He claimed compensation from the UK for a breach of his right to liberty under Article 5 ECHR.

Apart from finding that the detention was in breach of applicable human rights obligations, the Court engaged in a relatively extensive discussion of whether the disputed conduct was to be attributed to the UK (paras 158–187, pp 47–55), thereby adding a new stone to the debate on allocation of responsibility in international military operations. (more…)

21 April 2014

Protecting the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is a shared responsibility says Pakistan official

The Nation reported that Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson, Tasnim Aslam, stated that protecting the Pakistan and Afghanistan border is the shared responsibility of both countries. Currently, Pakistan carries the burden of protecting and managing the border, with more than twelve hundred posts and surveillance undertakings. Aslam also stated that Pakistan is interested in introducing a biometric system, however, Pakistan wants equal measures to be taken by NATO and Afghanistan to manage the border.

Source: The Nation | Pakistan demands Kabul, NATO for strong measures for protection of Pak-Afghan border

29 November 2013

President Karzai criticises US allies for NATO drone strikes

Afghan President, Hamid Karzai angered about NATO drone strikes which had killed civilians in southern Afghanistan, lashed out at US allies. President Karzai stated, ‘[t]his attack shows that American forces do not respect the lives and security of the people of Afghanistan (…) For years, our people are being killed and their houses are being destroyed under the pretext of the war on terror.’ The drone strike in question killed at least one child and wounded two women.

This attack comes at a delicate time when negotiations between President Karzai and the United States regarding a bilateral security agreement are becoming more strained. The security agreement provides for a 10 year long presence of the American military in Afghanistan, and if President Karzai does not sign the agreement NATO troops will be completely withdrawn from Afghanistan. However, President Karzai wants new conditions to be added to the agreement, such as an immediate ban on raids of Afghan homes, before he will sign the agreement. President Karzai stated, ‘[f]or as long as such arbitrary acts and oppression of foreign forces continue, the security agreement with the United States will not be signed.’

Source: The New York Times | Afghan Leader Lashes Out at U.S. Allies After NATO Drone Strike

21 November 2013

United States and Afghanistan finalise bilateral security agreement

The United States and Afghanistan have agreed on a bilateral security agreement that would allow for a lasting American troop presence through 2024. On the controversial issue of American searches of Afghan homes, the draft states that American counterterrorism operations will be intended to ‘complement and support’ Afghan missions. It underscores that Afghan forces will be in the lead and that any American military operations will be carried out ‘with full respect for Afghan sovereignty and full regard for the safety and security of the Afghan people, including in their homes.’

The draft also states that United States military personnel would be subject only to American military law, and that Afghanistan pledges not to turn them over to any international tribunals. It does, however, grant Afghanistan jurisdiction over contractors.

Source: The New York Times | Pact May Extend U.S. Troops’ Stay in Afghanistan

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