On Tuesday 21 April 2009, Christopher Langton, Senior Fellow for Conflict and Defence Diplomacy, and Ian Miller, United Nations’ Deputy Chief of Security based in Pakistan, spoke on ‘Regional Strategy for Afghanistan’ from 12:30-2:00pm.
There was growing concern over stability and Afghanistan in the run-up to the August 2009 elections and increased activity of Taliban and other insurgents. At a NATO summit shortly beforehand, President Obama won a pledge from NATO allies to send only 5,000 more troops to help in Afghanistan, calling it a 'strong down payment' to securing coming national elections and the entire country. European leaders enthusiastically praised President Obama’s new Afghan strategy but held their ground on a central disagreement and offered only military trainers and extra security forces for upcoming elections. The escalating insecurity and continuing war has raised doubts about the ability of NATO's troops to stem the Taliban insurgency. The security situation in Afghanistan raises fears among neighbouring states about their future stability and doubts about NATO's determination to stay the course in Afghanistan and deliver a lasting peace, security and developments in the region. At the same time the situation in neighbouring countries influences stability in Afghanistan.
Christopher Langton will address the issue of the influence of neighbouring countries on Afghanistan. Ian Miller will outline the general security situation, the ISAF policy, provide some comparisons with the Soviet experience, explore the UN perspective, and emphasize how the situation in Pakistan is affecting Afghanistan.
Colonel (retired) Christopher Langton is a Senior Fellow for Conflict and Defence Diplomacy (IISS). He joined the staff of the Institute in June 2001 after 32 years service in the British Army. He has experience from Northern Ireland and from service as a Military and Defence Attaché in Russia and the CIS, including the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia. He was Deputy Chief of UNOMIG. Colonel Langton is a Russian linguist. Before being appointed as Senior Fellow for Conflict & Defence Diplomacy he was Head of the Defence Analysis Department, Editor of The Military Balance and Research Fellow for Russia & Eurasia.
Ian Miller is currently the United Nations’ Deputy Chief of Security based in Pakistan. Prior to this, he spent the last two years in the South-East and East of Afghanistan, where he was responsible for UN security in these two volatile regions.
The seminar was chaired by Oksana Antonenko, Senior Fellow and Programme Director of Russia and Eurasia programme, on the fourth floor of Arundel House, 13-15 Arundel Street, Temple Place, London WC2R 3D.
