After 12 years of conflict, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States are entering a pivotal period. With the historic presidential election in Afghanistan, ongoing peace talks with the Taliban in Pakistan, and debate over the future of U.S. engagement, now is a critical time to assess the historical and ethnic roots of conflict in the region—and what the future holds. In his new book, The Pasthun Question: The Unresolved Key to the Future of Afghanistan and Pakistan, internationally recognized journalist Abubakar Siddique unpacks the links between Pashtun culture, Afghan and Pakistani political histories, and the Taliban.
Speakers
- Abubakar Siddique is an internationally recognized journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty based in Prague, specializing in the coverage of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He researches and writes on security, political, humanitarian, and cultural issues in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Pashtun heartland where he was born. He is the author of the newly published book The Pasthun Question.
- Amna Nawaz (moderator) is an Emmy award–winning NBC correspondent/bureau chief in Pakistan. She previously reported for NBC’s Investigative Unit covering the war in Afghanistan and the U.S. raid on the Osama bin Laden compound in Pakistan. She has reported for NBC throughout the world, including Syria, Turkey, Colombia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti. Nawaz has also reported extensively from the conflict-affected areas of Pakistan on U.S. drone strikes and militancy, including recent exclusive reporting from North Waziristan.
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Voices
Abubakar Siddique on Pashtun Culture
Journalist Abubakar Siddique discusses the historical and political roots of conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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