News & Updates

Sher Jan Ahmadzai and Thomas Gouttierre: Don’t let Pakistan marginalize Afghan government

CNN/Fareed Zakaria GPS (4-4-2013)

Tom Gouttierre: How a Small-Town Ohio Baker Boy Learned Persian and Parlayed That Into a Career in International Education

TEDx Omaha (10-13-2012)

What History Can Teach Us about Contemporary Afghanistan

Education About Asia (Fall 2012)

Presentation: Afghanistan, What Happens Now?

Tom Gouttierre at the 2012 Anti-Terrorism Conference in St. Louis (13 June 2012)

With Whom to Reconcile in Afghanistan?

By Sher Jan Ahmadzai (1-30-2012)

"Before pinning hopes of any political solution of the Afghan conflict to negotiations, it is necessary to understand the nature and dynamics behind the various key insurgent groups involved in the conflict and the social injustices that are feeding them."

An Elected President vs. an Unelected Chief Executive

By Sher Jan Ahmadzai (9-30-2009)

"The recent history of the people of Afghanistan has proved to be very hostile toward any dictations from abroad, whether crafted by Afghan nationals or others. Such motives have stirred anti-foreign feelings among Afghans who have always been fiercely independent."

Amid the strife of Afghanistan, UNO prof in Kabul sees ray of hope

Omaha World-Herald (5-9-2013)

War's wind-down fraught with risk for troops, Afghans

Los Angeles Times (2-15-2013)

UNO's Afghan expert backs reduction plan for U.S. troops

Omaha World-Herald (2-13-2013)

What will the Afghanistan war legacy be?

The Christian Science Monitor (10-30-2012)

Girls, Hope and Computers in Afghanistan

HUFFPOST IMPACT (10-15-2012)

Girls facing danger, hope in Pakistan

Omaha World-Herald (10-12-2012)

A letter from former First Lady Laura Bush

Scottsbluff Star-Herald (9-27-2012)

Afghan journalists share perspectives in Scottsbluff

Scottsbluff Star-Herald (9-25-2012)

Poll: Public opinion imperils long-term Afghan goals

Omaha World-Herald (9-25-2012)

Editorial: Farmer had global impact

Omaha World-Herald (8-29-2012)

Afghans' well-being always on Panhandle farmer's mind

Omaha World-Herald (26 August 2012)

Three days after cancer was found in Jim Merrigan's brain, the Scottsbluff, Neb., farmer sat upright in his hospital bed and demanded to talk about six deep-blue lakes in central Afghanistan.

For Marine's family, grief mixes with anger over U.S. war policy

Omaha World-Herald (7 July 2012)

"War is so full of danger," Gouttierre said. "My sense (from meeting with McChrystal and other military leaders) is that the more we know, the more we stack the odds in our troops' favor."

Editorial: Afghan debate will continue

Omaha World-Herald (27 April 2012)

In short, Gouttierre says, for the first time in 30 years the Afghan people are experiencing something priceless: freedom of thought and freedom of opportunity. If America makes clear it stands behind the forces of progress in Afghanistan, he says, our country will send the right message. The main burden, he adds, must be borne by the Afghans themselves.

UNO honors Afghanistan coverage

Omaha World-Herald (11 April 2012)

"The World-Herald team dug beneath the conflict in Afghanistan," said Tom Gouttierre, dean of International Studies & Programs at UNO and chair of the Andy Award committee. "They reported from the perspectives of both Nebraska National Guard troops and their Afghan partners, helping Nebraskans fully understand this complex and critical relationship."

Sher Jan Ahmadzai on Economic Development Panel at RECCA in Dushanbe

TOLO News (3 April 2012)

Afghan attack a low point for U.S. image

Omaha World-Herald (13 March 2012)

"I think the combination of these things has now put our reputation and our credibility in greater doubt than anything I can recall in the past decade," said Tom Gouttierre. "You remember how the Bush administration was faulted for not responding to Hurricane Katrina? Well, (the Obama administration and military leaders) need to avoid a similar situation in this man-made disaster."

Afghan violence erodes security for workers

Omaha World-Herald (26 February 2012)

Things started to get worse in Kabul and other previously safe areas in 2006, Gouttierre said, leading the Center to pull back on some projects. The center still runs teacher training programs in two Afghan provinces.

Sher Jan Ahmadzai: Directs Talks Are Necessary for Lasting Peace

BBC Pashto (25 February 2012)

Interview: Thomas Gouttierre on Early U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Asia Society (8 February 2012)

"There are many public works projects that can help bring back Afghanistan's sustainability. The country has enough hydroelectric potential that it should be exporting hydroelectric power, but right now it is importing it from Uzbekistan. It used to be a fruit and nut exporter and now it's an importer. There are roads that need to be repaired and a whole host of other infrastructural projects. These projects cost money, but take far fewer dollars than the amount of money that has been spent on the military need."

Interview: Jack Shroder on foreign mining interests in Afghanistan

ABC Radio National (Australia) (18 December 2011)

As foreign troops withdraw, will foreign miners move in? They’ve known of Afghanistan’s mineral wealth for a century but it hasn’t been safe or easy enough to extract it. Now Western companies, including Australian miners, are behind the geopolitical eight-ball as China and India lock up mining rights.

Midlands Voices: Let's Spend Wisely in Afghanistan

Omaha World-Herald (15 June 2011)

"Adding to the problems, the exorbitant unsustainable salaries provided by contractors and other international agencies have resulted in a brain drain from the Afghan government. Well-educated Afghans have been hired at a premium by the international agencies, leaving the Karzai government with less qualified professionals or unfilled slots as it seeks to fill its crucial positions."

Sher Jan Ahmadzai: How to Spend Foreign Aid Wisely in Afghanistan

BBC Pashto (11 June 2011)

UNO Center for Afghanistan Studies
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