Can the EU be more effective in Afghanistan?

The EU and its governments make a substantial financial, civilian and military contribution to Afghanistan - yet European influence in the country is limited. For too long the EU has had too many offices and representatives there, sometimes working at cross purposes. The EU also lacks a coherent strategy for Afghanistan. Joanna Buckley's policy brief recommends streamlining the EU's presence. She also argues that the EU needs a new strategy built around governance, reconciliation, police training, regional diplomacy, human rights and the rule of law.

Joanna Buckley is a former political adviser, Office of the Special Representative of the EU for Afghanistan, and former information analyst, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.