Introduction continues...

The framework of analysis here has been the theoretical paradigm of peace-building which takes into account security and demobilisation, political transition, economic development, social empowerment and rehabilitation. In examining the complexities of peace-building, the book explores the objectives and conditions under which peace-building has been implemented in Afghanistan. It explores security and demilitarisation, political transition, development, reconciliation and social rehabilitation. The analysis draws on the progress and pitfalls of the process, strategies and experiences of peace- building and suggests areas where existing strategies and approaches need to be reconsidered.

It will not be out of place to add a few words on the data source and constraints of research. Two trips to Afghanistan have helped shape my thinking on the subject. The first trip in October-November 2007 was a field trip to study challenges and dilemmas to state-building in post-2001 Afghanistan. The objective was to study the process of political, economic and social transition in Afghanistan. The situation in Afghanistan did not allow extensive field work across the length and breadth of the country. Therefore, information were generated through the process of interviews with Afghan and foreign officials working at several UN bodies like United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNDP-Afghanistan Sub- national Governance Programme (UNDP-ASGP), UN Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan (UNMACA) and government bodies like Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS) office. Interactions at academic Institutes like the Afghan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) the Afghan Centre at Kabul University (ACKU), the Department of Political Science and Law, Kabul University also proved to be useful.
The second opportunity that came my way, when I was invited to be a part of the Indian government delegation that visited Kabul for a bilateral engagement with the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (May-June 2008). This gave me the opportunity to interact with scholars from the Centre of Strategic Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), parliamentarians, media persons and Indian and other Embassy officers at Kabul. These interactions provided significant inputs to my understanding of the current situation of this country.

To be continued...