Having just returned from Toronto and Ottawa where I participated in public conferences on the deteriorating state of international reporting plus the need for better journalism that goes beyond just covering  Coalition forces in Afghanistan. It is clear that much of the reporting on Afghanistan has been largely security-focused rather than actually exploring what is happening to the country itself, the mistakes made by so much of the international community since 2001, and the need to concentrate on more effective recovery initiatives. 

To take this discussion forward in a more critical and candid manner (not the sort of optimistic all is jolly assessments by NATO et al) I would urge you to join us for the Afghanistan roundtable to be held in Geneva Dec 7 and organized by SwissPeace, the Geneva Centre for Security Studies and the Essential Field Guide to Afghanistan and the Region. If you can't come in person, then please participate in the webcast discussion. We look forward to your questions and comments.

For further details on content, speakers and panelists, please go to:http://www.efgafghan.com/afghanistan-2014-and-beyond-lessons-from-t...

For webcast details, please check: http://www.efgafghan.com/webcast/

And please share this with others. Students are urged to participate as well. 

Plus check the Essential Field Guide to Afghanistan and Region webportal www.efgafghan.com

Help take this much needed discussion forward.

Edward Girardet, Editor, The Essential Field Guides and author: Killing the Cranes.