On 25 to 27 January 2011 ASDHA of Barcelona brought Afghan government and civil society representatives together with international analysts to debate whether there should be negotiations with the Taliban Movement.

For a few moments confusion reigned as silent protesters pushed their way to the front of a Barcelona conference hall where an

The crisis over the parliamentary election results has arisen from failure of national policy making. But Afghanistan requires a functional parliament, as this is the one elected national body through which Afghans of all communities can participate in the political process.  If there ever is a deal to end the Afghan conflict, parliamentary backing will be important in making it stick. But a parliament whose own credentials are dubious can neither confer legitimacy to peace deals nor conduct its routine business of