The latest on Afghanistan

Britain's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles appears on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme (08/12/2008)

Britain's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning to respond to a report published by the International Council on Security & Development (formerly the Senlis Council), which claims that the Taliban now have a presence in 72% of Afghanistan.

Sir Sherard said the security analysis in the report, entitled the 'Struggle For Kabul: The Taliban Advance', is "seriously flawed and it exaggerates grossly the state of the insurgency". The report's claims of 'heavy' Taliban/insurgent presence in a province actually equate to a minimum of one attack per district per week. Even in the south and east, Afghan and international forces are increasingly present, including at district level. Sir Sherard added "Every poll shows that the Taliban are deeply unpopular.  People don’t want the Taliban back...and what we need to do is build up the Afghan Government, and that’s exactly what we’re doing."

Afghan MP Shukria Barakzai, speaking during the same broadcast, also disagreed with the report's findings, saying, "This is not the truth...in some places [the Taliban] are [a] threat for security, particularly for civilians, but I completely disagree with such figures."

David Miliband writes in the Daily Mirror (02/12/2008)

The Foreign Secretary writes in today's Daily Mirror about why we are in Afghanistan.

"What happens there matters to us. This is why around 50,000 troops from Britain, the US and 40 partner nations in Nato and the European Union are working with the Afghan people to build a peaceful, self-sufficient nation. We have already helped train 60,000 members of the Afghan Army. The country now has a democratic government. And three times as many children are in school including 300,000 girls who were banned from education under the Taliban".

Watch the latest BSN clips on Afghanistan (02/12/2008)

• UK Defence chief on Afghanistan (02/01/2008)
• Afghan Photos reflect struggle for women (01/12/2008)

Foreign Secretary visits Afghanistan (26/11/2008)

• Read David Miliband's blog about his visit
• Watch the British Satellite News clip: "Foreign Secretary in Afghan Talks"
• Listen to David Miliband on the Today Programme (Radio 4, 25/11/2008)
• Call for International commitment on Afghanistan

Colder weather, some warmer developments (19/11/2008)

"Today we made the first steps in reinvigorating the Musa Qala District Council (or “Shura” as it is called here). Having a strong district governor is both a bonus and a hindrance to governance in Musa Qala. The bonus is that we can get clear decisions and direction from him. The downside is that it is not healthy for him to be deciding everything for Musa Qala, and in any case it’s not possible..."

• Read the latest installment of James Donally's blog from Musa Qala. 

President Karzai and Foreign Minister Spanta visit the UK (12/11/2008)

The Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, held a meeting and press conference with Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta where they discussed the future of Afghanistan and relations between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Spanta is in the UK with President Karzai for a series of meetings with UK politicians and officials.

Speaking at the press conference, David Miliband spoke of the close links between the two countries. He said:

"He is a true friend of the United Kingdom and of our friendship between our two countries, and I have explained and reaffirmed to Dr Spanta the commitment of the United Kingdom government, from Gordon Brown downwards, to be true, determined and long term friends of Afghanistan. The partnership between our two countries, and the bond between our two countries, is very deep and we are determined to take it forward."

• Take a look at our photos of the visit on Flickr.
• Watch the clip "Foreign Secretary meets Afghan Counterpart" from BSN.
• Read President Karzai's article in the Guardian, "Seven Years on in Afghanistan".
  

Defence Secretary John Hutton visits Afghanistan (21/10/2008)

The Defence Secretary John Hutton flew into Afghanistan on Tuesday 21 October 2008 on his first official visit to the country.  To find out more about who he saw and what he did during his two-day visit read the Ministry of Defence articles below (note: the links will open in a separate window).

Hutton makes historic visit to Helmand
The Defence Secretary John Hutton flew into Afghanistan, Tuesday 21 October 2008, in a historic visit making him the first UK Defence Secretary to visit the district centre of Musa Qaleh since Afghan and international forces reclaimed the town in December last year.

Defence Secretary meets President Karzai
In the final leg of his first visit to Iraq and Afghanistan Defence Secretary John Hutton met Afghanistan's President Karzai in Kabul, 22 October 2008.

Opinion Editorial: "The Mission Possible in Afghanistan" (19/10/2008)

Foreign Secretary David Miliband writes an Opinion Editorial published in The Sunday Times on the 19th October 2008.  In it he explains the UK's strategy; the lessons we have learned; and how, in support of the Government of Afghanistan, and along with our international partners we can succeed in Afghanistan.  Read the article below (note: opens in a new window).

The Mission Possible in Afghanistan - David Miliband (The Sunday Times, 19 October 2008)  

Signs of economic growth in Helmand province (01/10/2008)

Afghanistan's Helmand province is starting to show the first signs of economic growth, thanks to international support for initiatives aimed at the region's farmers and businessmen.  Read the full story on the Department for International Development's website (opens in a new window).

Investments pay off - Farmer Abdullah Aminullah, 20, earns a living from the fruit and vegetables he grows, which he sells from his shop in the town of Lashkar Gar.

Delivering progress - DFID’s partnership with WOCCU is part of a broader £30 million package of assistance for agricultural and rural development in Helmand.

"A Future from the Past" Photo Exhibition (Updated 01/08/08)

This exhibition of photographs by Susan Schulman, "A Future from the Past" was hosted at DFID on 7 July 2008 with support from the Foreign Office and Turquoise Mountain Foundation.

The photos convey the pride with which Afghans value their heritage and demonstrates that cultural traditions can also drive economic development, aid post conflict stabilisation and help overcome poverty. The communities photographed are supported by Turquoise Mountain Foundation's Programmes.

The exhibition will now go on tour with details to be confirmed. All photos reproduced with kind permission of the photographer, Susan Schulman.

Archers for the Afghans (15/07/2008)

How about swapping the Archers and Ambridge for a barber's shop in the rural Afghan village of Bar Killi?

Three times a week almost 14 million people across Afghanistan tune into the radio soap opera New Home, New Life – funded by the FCO and produced by BBC World Service Trust as part of its Afghan Education Projects (AEP).

Like its British counterparts, New Home, New Life, deals with issues important to Afghans, weaving them into cliff-hanger stories.  But rather than adultery, problem teenagers and pub quarrels, the Afghan soap’s storylines are more about raising awareness about HIV and Aids, gender equality, conflict resolution and personal hygiene.

Paris Conference on Afghanistan (12/06/08)

The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and representatives of the international community met on June 12 in Paris to reaffirm their long-term partnership in support of the people of Afghanistan, their security, prosperity and human rights. The Paris Conference followed on from similar events held in Tokyo 2002, Berlin 2004 and London 2006.

Helmand Provincial Councillors visit the UK (Updated 13/06/2008)

A delegation of four Helmand Provincial Councillors visited the UK from the 4-11 June as part of an FCO sponsored visit.   The Chairman of the Provincial Council led the delegation accompanied by the Deputy Chairman and two Provincial Council members (you can find out more about Helmand's Provincial Council in this article).

The aim of the visit was to give the delegation a fuller understanding of our democratic processes and in particular how governance is delivered at a local level.

>  Watch our BSN clip of their meeting with Lord Malloch-Brown and their visit to Al Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre.

>  See photos of the delegation meeting Lord Malloch-Brown.

UK Muslim Group returns from Afghanistan (Updated 07/05/2008)

A delegation of representatives from prominent British Muslim groups returns from a fact finding trip from Afghanistan. The visit was part of the 'Projecting British Muslims Programme' to share experience of UK life and to increase mutual understanding, and dispel myths about Islamic life in Britain. Sadiq Khan MP, Muslim Delegation to Afghanistan, said "to see some of the work that we're doing, it does make you proud, whether it's development work, whether it's helping children go back to school, whether it's building hospital, whether it's helping teachers be trained, whether it's providing security for Afghani people to go about their daily business, there's a huge amount going on.”

NEW: Fatim Kurji Jumabhoy visited Afghanistan last month as part of an FCO-sponsored delegation of British Muslims. Read her thoughts on the visit and the challenges facing the country.

• Watch our BSN video clip.
• Watch our 6 clips on the YouTube playlist 'British Muslim delegation to Afghanistan'
• Read the transcripts of Sadiq Khan MP's interviews on Radio 5
• Read an Associated Press of Pakistan article about the visit

UN Special Representative for Afghanistan visits London (14/04/2008)

UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, visited London on 14 April. He met the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and a range of senior officials.

They discussed key aspects of UN engagement, including the UN's role in ensuring better co-ordination amongst the international community to act as a more effective partner to Afghanistan. Kai Eide conducted a number of interviews whilst he was in London.

• Read a transcript of Kai Eide's interview with Sky News
• Read a transcript of Kai Eide's interview with BBC News 24
• Read a transcript of Kai Eide's interview with BBC World Service
• Read a transcript of Kai Eide's interview with Radio 4 World at One
• Read our press release on Kai Eide's appointment
• Read a biography of Kai Eide on the UN website

Update: Reconstruction of Musa Qaleh (07/04/2008)

• Watch BSN footage (07/04/2008): The British Army and the UK PRT continue their reconstruction and development work in Afghanistan. Showcasing their recent work is the re-opening of the town's school in Musa Qaleh. Richard Jones, UK Stabilisation advisor said: “The school reopened in the middle of February. This is certainly one of the most successful stories in terms of redevelopment in Musa Qaleh".
• Interview with Richard Jones, Stabilisation advisor to Task Force Helmand, Provincial Reconstruction Team, 26/03/2008
• Interview with Captain Philip Adams, CIMIC Officer at Musa Qaleh, 26/03/2008
• Reconstruction and development continue apace at Musa Qaleh (MOD website), 2/04/2008

NATO re-affirms its long term commitment to Afghanistan, (Updated 14/04/2008)

Heads of State and Government from the 26 NATO nations, partners and other representatives from major international institutions met in Bucharest, Romania on 2-4 April to discuss NATO enlargement and operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo. Read ISAF's strategic vision for Afghanistan.

• Read a transcript of David Miliband's interview on Sky News
• Read a transcript of David Miliband's interview on Radio 4
• Read a transcript of President Karzai's statement at Bucharest
• Read an article "On to the next phase" by the NATO Secretary General in the International Herald Tribune
• ISAF nations affirm long-term commitment to Afghanistan
• Summit Website
• Watch the NATO TV Channel

Debate: "Is Britain's Strategy in Afghanistan realistic or hubristic"

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, the UK's Ambassador to Kabul, Afghanistan, enters into an open debate on the state of the UK effort in Afghanistan. Kicking off the debate in January's edition of Prospect magazine is Rory Stewart, head of the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, an NGO working in Afghanistan.

• Read the debate (PDF)

This article is reproduced with the kind permission of Prospect magazine and first re-appeared in the January 2008 edition of Prospect Magazine.

Afghanistan Counter-Narcotics: Myths, Facts and Sound Policy

A number of myths and inaccuracies continue to circulate about the illegal drugs trade in Afghanistan. The US/UK joint fact sheet corrects some of them and clarifies how the Afghan government, supported by the international community, is addressing the situation on the ground.

• Read the joint UK/US fact sheet

"We, the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom, in conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, ISAF and international partners, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, are now engaged in a comprehensive initiative to fight the production and trafficking of opium in Afghanistan. There is significant skepticism among the public and the media regarding the counternarcotics effort.  We therefore provide the following paper to correct some of the myths about the illegal drug trade in Afghanistan, and to clarify how our programs address the situation on the ground".

UK in Afghanistan

• Visits
• Film archive
• Why we are in Afghanistan
• News archive
• Human rights
• Rule Of Law
• Security
• Reconstruction
• Politics
• Counter-narcotics