News and Views

First Secretary Haidari Addresses National Defense Intelligence College

On March 19, 2007 First Secretary M. Ashraf Haidari addressed an audience at the US Department of Defense National Defense Intelligence College on the invitation of College President, Mr. Denis Clift. As part of the Distinguished Speakers Program, Mr. Haidari addressed more than 200 US intelligence officers, faculty, and students on challenges and opportunities in strengthening Afghanistan’s security and reconstruction efforts. The event took place at the Defense Intelligence Analysis Center at the Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, DC.

Haidari praised various tactical efforts made by lead nations in stabilizing Afghanistan, such as integrating US and NATO/ISAF operations, increasing troop levels, enhancing training and resources for the Afghan National Army, and loosening restrictions on maneuverability in the country’s south and east. Mr. Haidari emphasized that, despite the progress made, many of the efforts being made were not backed up by a robust and strategically coordinated reconstruction program to win the heart and minds of the Afghan people. He emphasized that an effective “clear, hold, and build” strategy had yet to materialize in many parts of Afghanistan.

Comparing Afghanistan to other post-conflict countries, he spoke about the favorable “human terrain” for nation building, which can function as “a strategic asset in the war against terrorism and extremism in and outside Afghanistan.” But he cautioned that popular support for nation building could be overtime lost if the government and its allies failed to manage and meet the basic expectations of the people for security, the rule of law, and employment.  

In addition, Haidari discussed the importance of aid effectiveness. He recommended focusing on strategic coordination across the aid community through the implementation of the Afghanistan Compact and the Afghanistan National Development Strategy. “Stability in Afghanistan squarely depends on taking a broader strategic approach to resolving the region’s long-standing problems, particularly those between India and Pakistan,” he said. “We will be swimming against the current, if Pakistan’s Army does not do its sincere share of fighting extremism in the greater Northwest Frontier Province and Baluchistan region.”