TSF - Portugal

September 22, 2024

"Building bridges between us so that Afghanistan never becomes a failed state again"

Omar Samad was the Afghan ambassador to Canada and France, and senior advisor to Prime Minister Abdullah (2014-2020). A graduate of the American University in Washington DC and a master in international relations from Tufts University in Massachusetts, he provides a current diagnosis of Afghanistan on TSF.

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Renewed UN Efforts on Afghanistan to Start After Doha2 Meetings

Feb. 19, 2024

By Omar Samad

It’s no longer so easy being the Secretary General of the UN these days, but @antonioguterres deserves credit for his farsightedness+evenhanded approach at a time when wisdom/leadership are lacking. On the #Afghan dossier: His personal touch is important. His teams on AFG need to draw lessons from this particular round… new emerging realities, dwindling opportunities & growing challenges paused by polarized players driven by competing agendas.

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Afghanistan: Facing Old Challenges and Needing New Perspectives

12 November, 2023 - 15:12

Omar SAMAD

While the world is distracted by other global priorities, notably the tragedy unfolding in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Afghanistan – ruled by a de facto government - is facing multiple challenges mixed with fewer opportunities and potential solutions at a critical juncture.

In spite of the reduced attention, some off-radar diplomatic initiatives are being pursued by the UN, major donors and regional countries to address outstanding issues and disputes that arose after the Taliban seized power 27 months ago on the heels of the US/NATO military withdrawal. The country is widely peaceful now after 45 years of turmoil, but the new leadership has also imposed gender employment curbs and fundamental rights restrictions in the public education sector.

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GNSI Policy Dialogues "Rethinking Afghanistan: Strategic Competition in the Heart of Asia"