November 27 marks the 23rd anniversary of the start of the first Afghanistan conference on the Petersberg in Bonn. With the Bonn Agreement adopted at that time, it was possible to draw up the first provisional regulations for the war-torn and crisis-ridden country, which established a transitional administration whose powers could then be continuously expanded.

The Petersberg Process gave Afghanistan a phase of peace and democracy, at least for a few years. Unfortunately, this period of peace was not to be sustainable. Almost twenty years of Western involvement in Afghanistan ended on August 15, 2021 with the return of the Taliban to power. On the one hand, this is perceived as a catastrophic failure of the West, but on the other hand it is also a consequence of the permanent and often violent conflict between tradition and modernity that has characterized Afghan society for almost a century and a half.

The Academy has already organized various events and a Fellow research project on Afghanistan’s past, present and future. These activities are now to be followed up with a high-ranking line-up. Together with the former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the former Afghan Foreign Dr. Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta and Dr. Katja Mielke (Senior Researcher, Bonn International Center for Conflict Studies, BICC), the aim is to analyze in retrospect how the failure could have come about. On the other hand, possible future scenarios for the country in the Hindu Kush will also be discussed.

Welcome Remarks

Dr. Ursula Sautter, Second mayor of the city of Bonn

Panelists

Hamid Karzai, former President of Afghanistan

Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, former Foreign Minister of Afghanistan

Dr. Katja Mielke, Senior Researcher, Bonn International Center for Conflict Studies, BICC

Moderation: Dr. Mayssoun Zein Al Din, AIA