South Asia Monitor: Afghanistan's Unrelenting Challenges - April 2, 2004

April 2, 2004

War-ravaged Afghanistan has made significant progress toward rebuilding in the last two years. Hamid Karzai's government presided over a Loya Jirga (grand council) that approved a constitution in January 2004. It has made progress in securing Kabul and creating a new army, but security is still its biggest challenge. It needs to establish itself as the major power center in the country and prepare for elections. The recently concluded Berlin conference brought in pledges of $8.2 billion, substantial but less than Karzai had requested. The international community will therefore continue to play a vital part in Afghanistan's recovery.