Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 04/2014

Last Chance: The International Community and the 2014 Afghan Elections

Scott S. Smith

March 2014

United States Institute of Peace

Abstract

Afghanistan's April 5 election could create space for political elites to address root causes of the country's continuing crisis, despite the past divergence between Afghan and international views on what elections can accomplish. With more realistic expectations, informed in part by a better understanding of the 2009 elections, the Afghans may be more determined to take this possibly final opportunity to rescue themselves from a political implosion.