Although the Taliban remain a largely Pashtun movement in terms of their composition, they have started making significant inroads among other ethnic groups. In the fifth edition of CIGI's "Afghanistan Papers," author Antonio Giustozzi says that emerging relationships between Taliban and non-Pashtun groups could "turn northern and western Afghanistan into a mess."

WATERLOO, ON – June 16, 2010 – Distinguished Canadian journalists will discuss the danger, disaster and deadlines associated with being a foreign correspondent, at a panel discussion co-hosted by The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and the Waterloo Region Branch of the Canadian International Council (CIC) on June 23.

Afghanistan’s problems are well known: rampant insecurity, endemic corruption, deep-seated poverty and weak governance. Unfortunately most of the strategies advanced to address these issues have lacked clear, effective and culturally-adapted implementation frameworks, making them more like wish lists than concrete roadmaps. Based on wide experience and engagement in Afghanistan’s state-building project since 2001 – in the United Nations, Afghan government, and civil society – the author provides a broad outline for a new strategy to stabilize Afghanistan. This new approach will not require massive new infusions of resources, but rather robust political will and resolve among both Afghans and international actors, something that is increasingly in short supply.

The White House is threatening to revoke its invitation to Afghan President Hamid Karzai for a May summit with President Barack Obama amid an escalating feud triggered by lingering concerns in Washington over corruption in the Kabul government.