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Jen Brick Murtazashvili Profile picture
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14 Aug, 5 tweets, 2 min read
This is the famous Friendship Bridge that links Afghanistan to Uzbekistan. Soviet occupation ended when last tanks crossed this bridge. Bridge now a landmark for the collapse of the Ghani government.
Been here many times. Will never forget going there in the days after 9/11 when I worked for USAID in Tashkent. Brought throngs of foreign journalists there as eyes turned on Afghanistan. Felt such hope for the future. Much was gained. Much was lost.
Soviet withdrawal in 1989. Image
Афганская армия пытается попасть в Узбекистан через пограничный мост Image
Government officials racing to the border.

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More from @jmurtazashvili

Jen Brick Murtazashvili Profile picture
15 Aug
This is exactly why the US mission could not succeed. It did not have good partner.

Ghani was enabled by so many in Washington who fawned over his Ivy league decree and his bad book on failed states.

He ran the state into the ground and discredited the democratic project.
His patrons in Washington were in denial or deeply ignorant about the divisive way he governed.

Everyone was happy to keep pretending. Lots of mutual benefit. Afghan people paid the price.

His think tank, Institute for State Effectiveness receives contracts from donors.
While the US terribly bungled its withdrawal, the intervention could not continue.

The longer the war went on, the worse the outcomes were for the Afghan people. Violence wracked the countryside. Districts kept falling.

They had no faith in Kabul.
Read 6 tweets
Jen Brick Murtazashvili Profile picture
15 Aug
Much attention on the hasty US withdrawal, but this is a collapse of political institutions. The state lost its remaining legitimacy. This had been eroding for years. US aid fed the state but undermined its connection to people. Domestic politics is the primary driver.
Taliban gained momentum by pointing out the grotesque corruption and rentier nature of the Afghan state. They could draw a contrast. They called the Aghan government puppets.
Taliban public statements show they have a clear understanding of grievances. They understand what was wrong with the Ghani government. Their public statements try to assure people of their security and dignity. They speak in terms of accommodation.
Read 6 tweets
Jen Brick Murtazashvili Profile picture
15 Aug
Afghanistan and its people came a long way. Such relentless creativity. Have never seen anything like it. The government couldn't keep up with its diverse citizens and their demands to be treated with dignity and respect. So a deep cynicism about public institutions congealed.
Yet donor countries poured salt on wounds by celebrating corrupt elections. Saying these exercises were good for the Afghans. It was all so patronizing and demoralizing. The donors kept pouring money into these charades. Everyone pretended until they stopped.
Have no doubt that relentless creativity and spirit will persist. It is far too early to say what will come out on the other side of this. But I remain hopeful, as do many Afghans.
Read 4 tweets
Jen Brick Murtazashvili Profile picture
14 Aug
Can't understand military collapse without understanding why state lacked legitimacy. Centralization of decision making undermined everything. Same story true of Herat as @MehdiHakimiJ describes in Mazar. nytimes.com/2021/08/13/wor…
All the training and technical assistance in the world would not change the fact that decision making was concentrated in the hands of a few. People promised democracy but given old authoritariansm.
The legitimacy question is the more important--and painful--for policymakers and politicians. Why did all this money fail to build legitimacy? This is the question. It is not a technical question but a political one.
Read 6 tweets
Jen Brick Murtazashvili Profile picture
5 Aug
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
🇦🇫Friends in Afghanistan🇦🇫: We at @CGMPitt will help you connect with organizations you worked for in the US to help you apply for the P-2 program.
state.gov/u-s-refugee-ad…
✍️Please send us an email at cgm@pitt.edu
Tell us:
1) Your full name and other relevant personal information
2) Name of the US-supported organization you worked for in Afghanistan
3) Name of project
4) Dates of employment
We will try to connect you with staff in the US who can help provide you the necessary letters of support you need to apply for the P-2 program.

We will treat your case with great care and confidentiality.
Read 5 tweets
Jen Brick Murtazashvili Profile picture
16 Jul
Must read @DrJLHazelton on perils of counterinsurgency doctrine. Strategies have appeal because they diagnose governance & legitimacy crises driving conflict.

She notes many problems w/solutions offered.

They also fail to understand local governance ⬇️
foreignaffairs.com/articles/unite…
Counterinsurgency strategies tell us to look at the local level and communities. They often point to a legitimacy crisis that can be solved at the local level. So far so good....
Major problem is antidote offered to the legitimacy problem is building local government. Outsiders think this a great idea, but many local residents say not so fast (because gov'ts are predatory). International forces end up recreating same dynamic they are fighting.
Read 9 tweets

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