jfleischner's blog

By Karin von Hippel

By Christopher Inkpen

Steve Coll’s recent blog post, Legitimacy and the Afghan Army, explores the linkages between having a credible election outcome as part of a counter-insurgency strategy, and sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan. 

Civilian contractors exceed military personnel in Afghanistan, based on a new report by the Congressional Research Service.  This presents a number of challenges for the U.S. because contractors are not subject to the same strict rules of engagement and reporting requirements as their military colleagues.  Jim Glanz’s article in the New York Times today points out this is mainly because the military has lost some of its logistics capability, but this does not explain why sensitive operations would be contracted out by either the Department of Defense or the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).  Rick Barton questions the use of contracts: first, do they bring the same commitment and willingness to take risks as uniformed military and diplomatic services; second, is the use of contractors cost effective to the American taxpayer.  The answers to these questions are unclear, but it has become increasingly apparent that greater clarity is needed in order to justify the use of contractors at such high levels in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Karin von Hippel discusses the factors that lead to poor voter turnout, and notes that despite high levels of intimidation, apathy also played a role.  Women were unable to vote because they require separate polling stations, which weren’t even open due to lack of female electoral staff.

Watch the full segment.

CBS News correspondent Cami McCormick was injured by a road-side bomb in Logar province just one day after attending a shura where U.S. military officers tried to convince tribal elders to find these deadly devices for a $25,000 dollar reward.  McCormick attended the shura alongside Karin von Hippel when she was out in Logar after observing the Afghan elections.  McCormick is reported to be in stable condition. 

Listen to audio from her reporting from the shura.

This piece discusses the perceived impact and importance of the recent elections for ordinary Afghans and points out that while intimidation was certainly a factor in discouraging voter turnout, so was apathy.  Farkas points out that while the international community remains focused on the presidency, ordinary Afghans, and especially women, would benefit more from improving decentralized institutions of government and bolstering local leaders who can partner with the U.S. on the ground. 

Hardin Lang was on NPR yesterday after observing the elections with Democracy International in Kandahar.  Lang reported low voter turnout and describes the “ambient environment” on the ground at the polling stations he visited. 

Election turnout today was low and not surprisingly plagued by instances of fraud and intimidation.