Reconstruction and Development in Afghanistan: Part 3

Today is the last day of NPR's three part series on R&D in Afghanistan. Which is a little sad, I have to say...I've enjoyed having articles to comment on that hit right to the core of my job in Afghanistan. Thanks to NPR for the series, and my wife for pointing it out to me.

As with the first two pieces, NPR hit on some key points in today's edition. To summarize a handful:

1) Afghans must take the lead on R&D in Afghanistan. To do that, they need to continue to become better at governing. Through participating and/or directing this R&D process, I think they have the perfect vehicle to do so.

2) Transparency (i.e. voice and accountability) and control of corruption are among the keys to long term success in Afghanistan.

3) "Patience is wearing thin within the donor community"--I don't know if this is the case or not, but I've read research that suggests that in post-conflict situations, donors begin to become disillusioned (or simply bored) after 8-12 years. The coalition been in Afghanistan going on 7 years, but we have to remember that Afghanistan is a new paradigm for post-conflict R&D (because it's part of the US's self declared global war on terror). And you can make the argument that, with conflict still existing in some parts of the country (though not all) that we really aren't post conflict anyways. But all the same, this is something for us to keep our eye on.

Again, it's a little sad to say goodbye to this series, but I hope everyone has enjoyed the ride (as I have). Have a good night, and I'll see you tomorrow.