‘To better understand Afghan public opinion on the conflict, and how the country can move towards a stable democracy,’ there are ‘underlying causes of insecurity in Afghanistan’ that have to be discussed and resolved. Based on the recent survey conducted by The Asia Foundation on Afghan people,’ insecurity is identified as the biggest problem in Afghanistan, especially in the southeast, west, and Southwest regions.’

The top underlying cause of instability in Afghanistan is the country’s ‘continued cycle of poverty.’ There are many areas that still need economic and social assistance that, if given, can provide the opportunity to propel change. Peace will come only with development which has been lacking in Afghanistan for many years. In some areas where there are problems with insecurity or the lack of electricity, it is difficult to bring about change because the fundamental building blocks upon which to build are not present.

The access to electricity in Kabul has improved ‘because the line between Kazakhstan and Kabul was completed. Electricity is difficult because of all the infrastructure and investment needed to generate it and transmit it, but also because of so much damage caused by war. Much capacity was destroyed and, in some cases, that capacity was never there. Now there is an opportunity to look at alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro. It is an issue of strategic planning.’

Meeting the Afghan people’s basic needs is crucial and critical at the moment. ‘Food security and basic elements of survival is what has been missing. There have been so many villages and communities that have been totally ignored. No one is really reaching out to them.’

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Via Foreign Policy in Focus