The Afghanistan Reconstruction Project (ARP) carries out research and public education about selected issues related to the rebuilding of Afghanistan's institutions, society, and economy. The project supports efforts by the Afghan government, Afghan civil society, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, and donors to carry out a more effective reconstruction mission based on the Bonn Agreement and the Afghanistan Compact focused on Afghan ownership.

CIC’s continuing close involvement in Afghanistan’s reconstruction is led by Director of Studies and Senior Fellow Dr. Barnett Rubin. Most recently, CIC assisted the Afghan government in drafting its Interim Afghanistan National Development Strategy and advised UNAMA on the drafting and negotiation of the Afghanistan Compact.

Click here for a full description of recent activities.

Lead Researchers: Barnett R. Rubin, Rahul Chandran, Jake Sherman

Funders: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada, Government of Norway, Open Society Institute, UK Foreign Commonwealth Office, United Nations Development Programme-Japan Partnership Fund

The Public Cost of Private Security in Afghanistan
Autumn 2009

The report by Jake Sherman and Victoria DiDomenico emphasizes that over-dependence on private security – above all on local militia groups – by international military forces is harming stabilization efforts.  With a surge in US forces on the horizon the demand for private security will increase.  This report lays out the consequences of heavy reliance on groups operating outside the legal framework, including shorting Afghan public security forces, increasing the costs of reconstruction, and strengthening criminal groups. 

The Public Cost of Private Security in Afghanistan

Featured Press:
Guardian
RadioFree Europe
Inter Press Service
Associated Press
The Globe and Mail
Washington Times
Mother Jones
Foreign Policy

Top of Page