The impending international military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014 and political transition raises a range of issues of great import for Afghanistan and the wider world. Of particular concern is the foreboding sense that withdrawal will leave a political and strategic vacuum in Afghanistan which would not only impact upon the state (its institutions and peoples) but have ramifications for the neighbouring South-West Asian region. There are policy implications, too”what can be done at policy levels (local, regional, international) meaningfully to alleviate much of the burgeoning anxiety? The input of experts is paramount to making sense of Afghanistan’s political and military transitions. With this in mind, this public panel-discussion is intended to tap the expertise of leading scholars and practitioners intimately knowledgeable of the conflict in, and politics of, Afghanistan. It is hoped that this event will encourage an in-depth exploration of the most pressing challenges facing Afghanistan and its international and regional partners, including Australia”issues of peace and security, governance, law and justice, among them.

Guest Speakers

Mr. Yama Torabi (Director, Integrity Watch Afghanistan; Kabul)

Ms. Shaharzad Akbar (Afghanistan 1400’ Leadership Council member; Kabul)

Ms. Sonia Eqbal (Chairperson, ‘Afghanistan 1400’; Kabul)

Professor Nazif Shahrani (Indiana University)

Mr. Michael Keating (Chatham House, UK)

Professor William Maley (APCD, ANU)

Chair

Dr Ian Hall

This event is being held with the generous support of the Research School of Asia and the Pacific, The Australian National University, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.