SwissPeace Policy Brief – US withdrawal and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan: Future Policy Directions

Dr Farooq Yousaf and Moheb Jabarkhail Abstract: This policy brief informs on the situation on the ground in Afghanistan and what the future holds for the war-torn country under a Taliban regime. The brief discusses recent developments in the country, Taliban’s PR campaign and the (grim) situation for gender and media rights under the TalibanContinue reading “SwissPeace Policy Brief – US withdrawal and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan: Future Policy Directions”

The Taliban of 2021 are the Taliban of 1996, but with a PR twist

Farooq Yousaf | 1 September 2021 When Kabul finally fell to the Taliban on August 15, 2021, several scholarly and media commentaries, both within and outside the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, started focusing on the Taliban’s positive moves and intent. This intent, for starters, is embodied by a smart and slick PR campaign that focuses on the positivesContinue reading “The Taliban of 2021 are the Taliban of 1996, but with a PR twist”

My six major personal and professional lessons from 2020

Dr Farooq Yousaf 2020 was a strange and difficult year for many. The year began and ended with a global pandemic that brought a 180-degree change in how we looked at things; both personally and professionally. Things that mattered the most (jobs and money) went in the background, whereas things that had a secondary priorityContinue reading “My six major personal and professional lessons from 2020”

Book Review: Pakistan, Regional Security and Conflict Resolution – The Pashtun “Tribal” Areas

Reviewed by Dr Claude Rakisits The tribal areas of Pakistan have played a critical role in the security of the country since Partition, particularly since the Taliban was ousted from power in 2001. Dr Farooq Yousaf’s book illustrates while militant activity has diminished in recent times, the law-and-order situation in the tribal areas remains precarious.Continue reading “Book Review: Pakistan, Regional Security and Conflict Resolution – The Pashtun “Tribal” Areas”