Beyond power sharing : institutional options for an Afghan peace process

While the need for a peace process to end the conflict in Afghanistan becomes clearer with each passing month, there are deep doubts about the chances of achieving a political settlement. These doubts encompass uncertainty about insurgent intentions, the position of Pakistan, and fear about the consequences of sharing power at a central or even provincial level with the Taliban. While these issues are formidable, they are also potentially surmountable with the right kind of process and settlement. This report examines some specific challenges a peace process in Afghanistan will face and then presents theoretical observations and real world comparative examples that may be applicable to overcoming these challenges.