Intra-Afghan Negotiations: Peace at the Cost of Democracy?
Intra-Afghan Negotiations: Peace at the Cost of Democracy?

Author(s): Patryk Kugiel
Subject(s): Politics, Governance, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Studies in violence and power, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: Afghanistan; Taliban; politics; democracy; negotiations;
Summary/Abstract: The peace talks between the Afghan authorities and the Taliban, launched on 12 September, are now the best chance to end the 20-year civil war in Afghanistan. It is possible, however, that the price of peace will be that the Taliban assumes a decisive role in the country, and that the present democratic system of government is dismantled. The Taliban’s position in the negotiations is strengthened by plans to end the foreign military presence in Afghanistan, internal conflicts in the democratic camp in Kabul, and the Taliban’s own growing military leverage. The support of states and organisations for the future government of Afghanistan will be crucial to preserving at least some of the achievements of the last 20 years.

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