The U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan and Regional Developments - Featuring Dr. Vali Nasr

The Fletcher DC Alumni Association would like to invite you to an informal discussion on U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and regional developments with Fletcher alumnus and current professor of international politics Dr. Vali Nasr.

The event will take place at 6:30 on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at The German Marshall Fund office located at 1744 R Street in Dupont Circle.

In March, the Obama Administration revealed its new strategy for Afghanistan, which included a new emphasis on a regional approach to “disrupt, dismantle and destroy” al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The administration’s Af-Pak strategy includes the provision of critical economic and military assistance to Pakistan, and increased emphasis on improving security and capacity of the government in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s military launched a new military campaign against the Taliban in Swat Valley in April and is now ramping up anti-Taliban efforts in South Waziristan. In Afghanistan, Afghans with assistance from the U.S. and NATO are preparing for presidential and provincial council elections in August, the outcome of which will have a significant impact on the state’s ability to govern.

Dr. Nasr, who serves as an advisor to the special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, has offered to speak about the challenges faced by the U.S. as it pursues a whole-of-government strategy in the region.

Two distinguished Fletcher alumni, Nancy Tumavick and Ahmed Humayun will serve as respondents to Dr. Nasr’s remarks. Nancy Tumavick is retired Foreign Service Officer with USAID, has spent the last three years working on development in Pakistan, until recently with the USAID Mission. Ahmed Humayun is the senior analyst for civil violence at Georgetown University’s Imaging Science and Information (ISIS) Center and co-author
of the CNAS report “Triage: the Next 12 Months in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

Dr. Ian Lesser, Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund and Fletcher alum will moderate.

This event is limited to Fletcher alumni and the discussion will be off the record. To attend the event, please RSVP at http://www.fletcherclubofdc.org/rsvp/10. The event, which includes light fare and drinks, will cost $10 per person,payable via PayPal or at the door. We hope you can join us for an exciting discussion and time to mingle with fellow Fletcher alumni in the Washington, DC area.