Afghanistan Government and Politics By: Miranda Ross-Hintze, Nicole Wenrick, and Erin Krigger

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan President - Hamid Karzai (right) First Vice President Yunis Qanuni Second Vice President Abdul Karim Khalili Cabinet of 25; ministers appointed by president Current Government

- Post-Taliban - promise of equal right, hoping to end the reign of violence in Afghanistan - 1,550 delegates attended commission (including 200 women) Constitution est Former king, Zahir Shah, and president, Hamid Karzai discuss the constitutional at its commission in January of 2004.

- The constitution outlines a tolerant, democratic islamic republic under a strong presidency - Welcomed as a “turning point” for Afghanistan and a step away from a country ruled by warlords

Political Transition: -US backs political progress to help resolve conflict in Afghanistan -needs reforms to advance financial self-sufficiency -needs to work on negotiations between themselves (political parties) and other countries

-Afghanistan government cannot fund security forces, having to rely on foreign donors to fund the Afghan National Security Forces) -priorities (for both US and Afghanistan) are transparent, free, and fair presidential elections -new political settlement to the better balance the competing interests of Afghan’s factions (government of Afghanistan and leaders of major Afghan political factions, civil society, and women’s groups)

-In Afghanistan, political parties are seen as controversial and not a positive force by the government or the public -Afghan Social Democratic Party - After the runoff election, Abdullah alleged that government officials had conspired to stuff ballot boxes on behalf of his opponent. (left) Political Parties

-Legal voting age is 18 -October 9th, 2004, voting turnout was 80% (the normal for US presidential elections is %) Voting

In place of signing their name, voters from Afghanistan use their fingerprint.

The Taliban

- Predominantly Pashtun, islamic fundamentalist group - Formed in early 1990’s - Ruled Afghanistan from Central leadership headed by Mohammed Omar - Oppressive rule over Afghan people

The Taliban cut off 11 people’s fingers as punishment for voting in the 2014 presidential election.

Women were required to wear burqas, and the UN still urges the Taliban to end it’s abusive treatment of women. Leftover from the Taliban rule, wearing burqas is all but required in today’s era.

Works Cited Katzman, Kenneth. "Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy." Congressional Research Service. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print. Laub, Zachary. "Taliban in Afghanistan." Editorial. Council on Foreign Relations. N.p., 4 July Web. 11 Nov NBC News. N.p., 13 July Web. 11 Nov Nickelsberg, Robert. Afghanistan Goes To The Polls. 9 Oct Photograph. Getty Images Press, Associated. "Afghanistan Adopts New Constitution." NBC News. N.p., 26 Jan Web. 12 Nov "Afghanistan Finally Has a New President." Time 21 Sept. 2014: n. pag. Print. Seiff, Kevin. "How Facebook is seen as a threat to Afghan unity." Washington Post 30 June 2014: n. pag. Print. United States. CIA. Government:: Afghanistan. N.p.: n.p., n.d. CIA World Factbook. Web. 6 Nov Wadhams, Caroline. "Managing Afghanistan’s Political Transition Between Now and 2014." Center for American Progress. N.p., 7 Jan Web. 12 Nov < managing-the-political-transition-between-now-and-2014/>.