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3962. Beyond the Market: Can the AREDP transfor
- Author:
- Adam Pain and Paula Kantor
- Publication Date:
- 02-2011
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU)
- Abstract:
- The recently-launched Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Program (AREDP) was set up as a mechanism to promote rural employment and reduce poverty through market-led growth. However, the limitations of both agriculture and opportunities away from the farm as a path to prosperity raise serious questions about the AREDP’s ability to achieve its goals. This paper paper draws on the results of AREU's Afghanistan Livelihood Trajectories study to examine these issues. The general decline in household livelihood security it observed suggests that the vision of an agriculturally-led economic transformation has borne little fruit over the course of the past decade. In the few households that prospered, livelihood improvement was often closely tied to engagement with urban economies and links to patronage networks. For the majority that did not, rural diversification was primarily a coping strategy to mitigate agricultural failure, rising food prices and income loss from the opium ban. While the AREDP may boost market-driven agriculture in already productive areas with good access to markets, it is unlikely to achieve the kind of generalised transformation of Afghanistan’s rural economy that it hopes for. If it is to achieve its stated goal of reducing poverty, the programme must do more to test its underlying assumptions regarding community solidarity and market competition, as well as taking greater account of local and regional contexts. It must understand that poverty alleviation is not simply a secondary product of market development, but an end in itself.
- Topic:
- Security, Agriculture, Development, Rural, and Community
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan and Middle East
3963. 9/11: Ten Years Later
- Author:
- Gateway House
- Publication Date:
- 09-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
- Abstract:
- On September 12, 2001, a day after 9/11, the Times of India published a story titled, ―India hopes U.S. will now pressurise Pak.‖ At the time, this relayed a common national sentiment – India may finally get the United States to become a close ally against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, and help India in eradicating terrorism. Ten years hence, neither has the U.S. taken a position against Pakistan, nor has India prepared itself better to fight terrorism and insurgency on its home ground. A massive explosion at the Delhi High Court this week left at least 14 dead and some 60 injured. It served as a horrific reminder that India continues to be at the receiving end of terrorism. This is the third major terrorist attack in Delhi since 9/11, following the one on Parliament on December 2001 and another at the Sarojini Nagar Market in October 2005. Mumbai has seen similar attacks with the serial blasts in March 1993, train bombings in July 2006, the 26/11 attacks of November 2008 and coordinate attacks of July 2011. Many more such incidents have taken place across the country in smaller cities like Jaipur and Pune. Yet, rather than designing and executing ways to secure our borders, we remain enamored with the effects of 9/11 and anniversaries of attacks in London, Madrid, and elsewhere. The government‘s response is the same – they had some intelligence, law enforcement was in a state of alert, but there was no actionable intelligence, and of course, somewhere along the chain of command between the Home Minister and the constable on the street, our counter-terrorism strategy was never converted into skills or systems that would prove useful. The usually communicative, media-friendly politicians have no comment to give, reflecting only their incapability or worse, indifference. The media gives it due importance for 24 hours, then in the absence of any new information from the government or the public, moves on to other news-worthy items.
- Topic:
- Security, Terrorism, Counter-terrorism, and 9/11
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan, South Asia, India, and United States of America
3964. Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline Possibility or Pipe Dream?
- Author:
- Gateway House
- Publication Date:
- 11-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
- Abstract:
- Oil was the fuel of the 20th century. But depleting sources, volatility of prices and environmental concerns have made it imperative to look for alternate fuels. Natural gas provides one such solution for these concerns. Natural gas has a lower environmental impact than oil, emitting 30% less carbon dioxide, is generally priced at a fraction of the price of crude, and given its suitability as a substitute for oil in industries, makes it an attractive alternative to oil. Natural gas emits 45% less carbon dioxide than coal, making it an equally attractive substitute to iti. With the rapid depletion of most fuel sources, the need to tap into existing and unexplored natural gas reserves has become central to the energy debate. In order to secure a constant source of supply of natural gas to India, the Government of India is looking into the ambitious Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline. This will be an addition to the existing domestic production and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) imports. This project has been in the pipeline for the last 15 years though India signed on to it in early 2008. Since this pipeline passes through Afghanistan and Pakistan, both restive regions, security concerns have triggered wide debate on its viability. This paper briefly looks at the position of natural gas in the world vis-à-vis other fuels. The paper also elaborates on the economics and politics of the TAPI pipeline to conclude that this will remain a very tempting but unfortunately, a ‘Forever Project’ where discussions can go on for years without any concrete results. The paper advocates caution given the tumultuous times prevalent in Afghanistan and Pakistan and lists alternate options and possible courses of action for India.
- Topic:
- Security, Energy Policy, Oil, Gas, Volatility, and Energy Crisis
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan, Afghanistan, South Asia, India, and Turkmenistan
3965. 26/11 Reflections
- Author:
- Gateway House
- Publication Date:
- 11-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
- Abstract:
- In this compendium of essays, Gateway House examines the terrorist attack carried out on Mumbai on 26 November 2008, and its aftermath. It has been three years since 26th November, when terrorists attacked Mumbai’s monuments and its self-esteem. Life has resumed for the Mumbaikar, as always. But many questions remain, unanswered. Gateway House has attempted to analyse the event and its aftermath. We asked experts and ordinary individuals from around the world to bring in their unique perspectives. In a series of 13 essays, we examine the following: How did the ordinary Pakistani feel as she/he watched the towers of the Taj burn? Why didn’t the United Nations respond to 26/11 the way it did after 9/11? Should New York heed the warning of 26/11? What does Washington’s double-standards in South Asia mean for us? Should we change our strategy on Pakistan – or is it now the right time for Pakistan to change its strategy towards us? Are we better equipped in terms of defence equipment and maritime security? What can our security structures learn from our corporations? Are we entitled to the Right to Security, the way we are to education and food? What are the human rights of terrorism’s victims? Have we really cared for those who suffered on account of terrorism? Why is justice so delayed in India and what does it mean for terrorism?
- Topic:
- Security, Terrorism, Counter-terrorism, and Borders
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan, South Asia, India, and Mumbai
3966. Estonia’s Defence Research & Development: Lessons from the past, outlook for the future
- Author:
- Tomas Jermalavicius
- Publication Date:
- 09-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- International Centre for Defence and Security - ICDS
- Abstract:
- This report forms part of an ICDS project titled ‘Security, Strategy, Science and Technology’ (S3T) and aims to identify the conceptual and organisational challenges in Estonia’s defence R&D programme. This report forms part of an ICDS project titled ‘Security, Strategy, Science and Technology’ (S3T) and aims to identify the conceptual and organisational challenges in Estonia’s defence R&D programme. It seeks to ascertain Estonia’s defence R&D achievements so far, thus tackling the widespread perception that most of Estonia’s investments in this field have been ineffectual. The report also discusses the positive and negative aspects of ongoing reforms in the defence R&D sector pursued by the defence organisation – the Ministry of Defence and the Estonian Defence Forces – and the prerequisites for and possible obstacles to their success.
- Topic:
- Security, Defense Policy, Development, and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Estonia
3967. CSDP After Lisbon: Comprehensive Security for Small States?
- Author:
- Julian Tupay
- Publication Date:
- 11-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- International Centre for Defence and Security - ICDS
- Abstract:
- This report is aimed at analysing the impact changes introduced by the Lisbon treaty have on the common defence and security architecture of the European Union, in order to give an assessment of the relevance those changes have on the utility of CSDP for Estonia. This report is aimed at analysing the impact changes introduced by the Lisbon treaty have on the common defence and security architecture of the European Union, in order to give an assessment of the relevance those changes have on the utility of CSDP for Estonia.
- Topic:
- Security, Defense Policy, Treaties and Agreements, and European Union
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Estonia, and Lisbon
3968. Strengthening Fragile Partnerships: An Agenda for the Future of U.S.-Central Asia Relations
- Author:
- Evan A. Feigenbaum
- Publication Date:
- 02-2011
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Project 2049 Institute
- Abstract:
- A comprehensive new report from the Central Asia Study Group and the Project 2049 Institute calls on American and Central Asian leaders to rise to the challenges and opportunities in the region. The report proposes an action agenda on economics, energy, governance, security, social development, and regional cooperation, and places particular emphasis on the importance of reconnecting Central Asian countries to the global economy. The United States needs to reassess its strategies and policies and reaffirm its commitment to remain engaged with the nations of Central Asia even as the U.S. draws down forces from Afghanistan.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Security, Development, Partnerships, Economy, and Energy
- Political Geography:
- Central Asia, North America, and United States of America
3969. China and Pakistan: Emerging Strains in the Entente Cordiale
- Author:
- Isaac B. Kardon
- Publication Date:
- 03-2011
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Project 2049 Institute
- Abstract:
- Despite perceptions in Washington and New Delhi that China enjoys unique privileges and exercises inordinate influence in Pakistan, Beijing has shown little inclination to directly shape Pakistani behavior. As China’s global portfolio of economic and security interests expands, it is increasingly sensitive to new opportunity costs entailed in sustaining the Sino-Pakistani partnership.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Security, Partnerships, and Economy
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan, China, South Asia, and Asia
3970. Taiwan, the People’s Liberation Army, and the Struggle with Nature
- Author:
- Mark Stokes and Tiffany Ma
- Publication Date:
- 05-2011
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Project 2049 Institute
- Abstract:
- Taiwan must manage some of the world’s most severe and complex security challenges. A vision for national security preparedness beyond military contingencies will help address critical non-traditional security threats, such as natural disasters. Both natural and manmade challenges share commonalities that would benefit from an integrated “all hazards” approach to threat mitigation.
- Topic:
- Security, Military Affairs, Nature, Non-Traditional Threats, and People's Liberation Army (PLA)
- Political Geography:
- Taiwan and Asia