Abstract

Afghanistan is again preparing for change. Most international forces are about to leave the country by end of 2014, Afghans expects to have a new President over the summer and there are signals of a major reduction in international assistance for the coming years. Many Afghans question if the positive developments the country has gone through since 2001 are robust enough to meet these challenges. Will they be able to continue on the development path, though possibly on a slower pace, or will they again have to depend on humanitarian assistance for their survival?

Arne Strand  is Senior Researcher Chr. Michelsen Institute