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Shahmahmood Miakhel

Country Director, Afghanistan

Expertise

Afghanistan

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Shahmahmood Miakhel is the Country Director in Afghanistan for the US Institute of Peace (USIP). Prior to that he was a Governance Advisor for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and, from 2003–2005, a Deputy Minister of the Interior in the Government of Afghanistan. In 1994–1995 he worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in South and Southeast Afghanistan helping to establish District Rehabilitation Shuras (DRS). He also worked as a reporter for the Pashto service of the Voice of America from 1985–1990.

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Iran Reacts to U.S. Congress Move Aimed at Blocking Boeing Sales
  • Analysis
  • Iran Reacts to U.S. Congress Move Aimed at Blocking Boeing Sales

    Head of Civil Aviation Organization of Iran Ali Abedzadeh has said that the latest U.S. Congressional bill will have no impact on the implementation of contracts between Tehran and international companies for the purchase of commerical aircraft. “All agreements with airplane manufacturing companies are signed in accordance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which is an agreement between Iran and the international community and endorsed by the United Nations as well,” he added.

    September 15, 2017

    Top Iranian Official: Iran Won’t Allow Inspection of Military Sites, “Case Closed”
  • Analysis
  • Top Iranian Official: Iran Won’t Allow Inspection of Military Sites, “Case Closed”

    Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani ruled out the possibility of allowing foreign inspectors to visit Iranian military sites. “There is no nuclear activity or even research in any of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s military centers, and visits by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over the past years have confirmed the issue,” he said.

    September 15, 2017

    Local Heroes Use Fresh Approach Against Extremist Barbarity
  • Analysis
  • Local Heroes Use Fresh Approach Against Extremist Barbarity

    Read the full article on The Hill.

    On the heels of the 16th anniversary of 9/11 — after two costly wars, countless sacrifices by our men and women in uniform, and a whopping $4 trillion-plus price tag — it’s time to ask: What’s missing in our grand strategy?

    September 14, 2017

    Top Iranian, Turkish Military Leaders Discuss Regional Issues over Phone
  • Analysis
  • Top Iranian, Turkish Military Leaders Discuss Regional Issues over Phone

    The top Iranian and Turkish military officials discussed the Iraqi Kurdistan’s independence referendum plan and its implications in a telephone call earlier today, Iranian media reported. “The two sides stressed the significance of enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation and described the potential independence referendum in the Iraqi Kurdistan and its ramifications on regional security, peace and stability – including on Iran and Turkey – as detrimental and dangerous,” Iran’s Fars News Agency reported.

    September 14, 2017

    Iran-Backed P.M.F. Commander Warns of Civil War over Iraqi Kurdistan Dispute
  • Analysis
  • Iran-Backed P.M.F. Commander Warns of Civil War over Iraqi Kurdistan Dispute

    The leader of a powerful group within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (P.M.F.) has warned that the country could lapse back into anarchy and civil strife over the escalating dispute on the Kurdish autonomy.”If tension over the Iraqi Kurdistan’s referendum continues, it will certainly culminate in civil war” Hadi al-Amiri, the head of Iranian-supported Badr Organization, was quoted as saying by Iran’s Fars News Agency.

    September 14, 2017

    Guardian Council Extends Review of Anti-U.S. Bill
  • Analysis
  • Guardian Council Extends Review of Anti-U.S. Bill

    The spokesman of Iran’s Guardian Council has announced that the influential body has not finalized its assessment of a bill that the Iranian Parliament recently passed to counter U.S.

    September 14, 2017

    Iran Expands Its Economic Sphere of Influence in Syria
  • Analysis
  • Iran Expands Its Economic Sphere of Influence in Syria

    In the latest sign that Tehran is seeking to expand its economic sphere of influence in Syria, the Iranian government on Tuesday signed several agreements with Damascus to restore Syria’s power grid and infrastructure. Although the Syrian war is far from over, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.) is already looking for financial rewards for its support to the embattled regime of Bashar al-Assad in the past six years. Since the seizure of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo in December, the Syrian government has granted I.R.G.C. companies lucrative contracts on a no-bidding basis.

    September 14, 2017

    Is Turkey Back to “Zero Problems” with Assad?
  • Analysis
  • Is Turkey Back to “Zero Problems” with Assad?

    Before the conflict in Syria started, Turkey cultivated close ties to the Assad regime. The two countries lifted visa requirements, held joint military exercises and cabinet meetings, and collaborated against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (P.K.K.). Ankara’s newly-adopted philosophy, “zero problems with neighbors,” had—at the time—won praise both at home and abroad. Turkish foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, the architect of the policy, at one point described Turkey’s Syria policy as a “striking example” of the success of Ankara’s new foreign policy vision.

    Greening the Egyptian Economy with Agriculture
    Middle East Institute
  • Analysis
  • Greening the Egyptian Economy with Agriculture

    Agriculture is a significant contributor to Egypt’s economy. However, in recent years Egypt has faced serious challenges producing food for a growing population in a sustainable manner. How can the Egyptian economy be “greened” with agriculture? In an effort to address this question, this essay provides an in-depth analysis of recently enacted laws — including the Egyptian Constitution of 2014 and Law (26/2015) — that could have a far-reaching impact on sustainable agriculture and food security.

    September 13, 2017

    Will Pakistan Reassess its Ties to Terror Groups after Trump Speech?
    Middle East Institute
  • Analysis
  • Will Pakistan Reassess its Ties to Terror Groups after Trump Speech?

    The major components of President Donald Trump’s much-awaited Afghanistan strategy are sufficient to give Pakistani strategists sleepless nights. The new plan will acknowledge Pakistan’s significant role in providing safe havens for terrorists; escalate war against the Afghan Taliban while denying it the ability to fight its way into positions of power; and enhance India’s role in stabilizing and developing Afghanistan. Moreover, the strategy does not provide deadlines for withdrawal of U.S. forces.

    September 12, 2017

    Transitioning to Inclusive Green Growth in the Middle East and Asia
    Middle East Institute
  • Analysis
  • Transitioning to Inclusive Green Growth in the Middle East and Asia

    In 1987 the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development released Our Common Future, commonly known as the Brundtland Report. This publication contained the most widely recognized definition of the concept of “sustainable development.” As defined in the document, “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

    September 12, 2017

    Hezbollah Leader Declares Victory in Syria, Recalls Meeting with Khamenei
  • Analysis
  • Hezbollah Leader Declares Victory in Syria, Recalls Meeting with Khamenei

    Lebanese Hezbollah’s Leader Hassan Nasrallah has declared victory in the Syrian war, Iranian and Lebanese media reported today. According to Lebanon’s al-Akhbar daily, Nasrallah said at a religious gathering in Lebanon that Hezbollah and its allies have won the war in Syria and what remains are only scattered battles. “Our martyrs, wounded and prisoners are changing equations and writing the history of the entire region, not just Lebanon’s,” he was quoted as saying.

    September 12, 2017

    Iran Rejects I.A.E.A. Chief’s Claim about Inspection of Military Sites
  • Analysis
  • Iran Rejects I.A.E.A. Chief’s Claim about Inspection of Military Sites

    Iranian officials have reiterated that the country would not allow any foreign inspectors to visit its military sites, rejecting International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) head’s Monday remarks that the watchdog makes no distinction between civilian and military sites in its inspect

    September 12, 2017