From Corruption to Insurgency: Taking on Afghanistan’s Challenges

Dr. Mohsen Miliani, USF Chair of the Department of Government and International Affairs.

Some of the biggest experts on the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan are coming to Tampa later this month for a three-day symposium sponsored by the University of South Florida.

The U.S. has been at war in Afghanistan since 2001. Resolving the conflict will take the involvement of the countries in the region according to USF Professor Dr. Mohsen Milani. He’s an expert on Iran which is among countries playing a role in the region and chair of USF's Department of Government and International Affairs.

So, Milani invited more than 20 internationally recognized experts to Tampa to talk about Afghanistan and Pakistan. Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, the Honorable Ronald Neumann, will discuss what can be achieved and taking a realistic approach to Afghanistan.

Experts from the U.S. Army War College, the Rand Corporation and the Middle East Institute are among the panelists. They’ll talk about internal issues like corruption and insurgency. In all there will be six presentations on the internal challenges of Afghanistan offering regional perspectives from Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

“One panelist is going to talk about the importance of Islamic movements both Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Milani said. Another will give a historic and contemporary view of relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The three-day symposium is open the public. It’s scheduled March 24 through March 26 and will conclude with Milani moderating a conversation with Gen. David Petreaus, head of Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base.