A Historic Election in Afghanistan

On April 5, 2014, millions of Afghans will line up to vote for a new president. The final results won't be known until well into May, or even after that, but what they will bring about is historic. For the first time, political power in Afghanistan will be transferred from one elected president to another through a democratic process. This page is dedicated to Asia Society content related to this significant moment in Afghan history, and what has led up to it. 

Related Content

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Afghanistan Analysts Debate Causes and Solutions to the Country's Political Crisis

In a spirited discussion at Asia Society’s Washington center, three veteran analysts of Afghanistan and Southwest Asia debated the controversy over the results of Afghanistan’s presidential election.
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Afghani Candidates Need 'National Unity'

Ambassador James Dobbins, U.S. Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, said Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani will need to come to a consensus about forming the next Afghan government.
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Cultural Diplomacy with US Sends Crucial Message to Afghanistan's Young People

A regular, sustained exchange of ideas and values would signal to Afghan youth that this time, the U.S. isn't about to forget them.
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New York

Interview: Afghanistan Observer Sees Same 'Failed Status Quo' Continuing After Election

Journalist Anand Gopal speaks frankly about the "tragedy, the catch-22" of Afghanistan on the eve of its 2014 election.
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Photos: A Glimpse of Afghanistan Before and During a Historic Election [UPDATED]

In pictures: Afghanistan gears up for its third presidential election since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.
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Afghanistan Literally Can't Afford to Hold an Election That Isn't Free and Fair

Because a key condition for the continuation of international aid to Afghanistan is a comprehensive, transparent and credible vote, Saturday's election takes on even greater importance.
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What Do Afghanistan's 'Generation America' Think of Their Country's Future?

Foreign soldiers may be heading home, and several international organizations are fleeing the violence, but there's no shortage of hope and optimism among Afghanistan's young people.
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Yes, the Afghanistan Election is Important — But So is the Day After

A member of Asia Society's Afghanistan Young Leaders Initiative reminds readers that Afghanistan's April 5 election is "only a means to an end — a stable, peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Afghanistan."
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Asia 21 Young Leaders Help Make History at Afghanistan Presidential Debate

Afghanistan's first-ever presidential debate was televised by Tolo News, which is headed by two executives with Asia Society ties.
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War Reporters: The Firsthand View

Bob Woodruff and Mike Boettcher on covering Iraq, Afghanistan.
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Texas

Afghanistan Stability Far From Realized

Brookings senior fellow Vanda Felbab-Brown delivers a sobering assessment.
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Young Afghan Leader Says Fair Elections Will Prevent New 'Dark Ages' in His Country

Fresh off an Asia Society forum with his peers, Jamil Danish sees a positive future for Afghanistan if elections in 2014 are legitimate.
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Afghanistan in 2014

As Asia Society's Afghanistan 21 Young Leaders prepare to meet in Kabul, Asia Blog spoke with former fellows about the year ahead, which will bring a new president and the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
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Daring to Hope: Afghanistan 21 Fellows Take Aim at Myriad Issues Facing Their Country

Introducing the latest group of fellows in Asia Society's landmark Afghanistan 21 program.
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Interview: MSF Doctor on Afghanistan's Steep Challenges to Women's Health

Dr. Severine Caluwaerts explains why fear of bomb blasts and poor infrastructure make women's health an uphill struggle in Afghanistan.
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New York

Afghan Women 'Between Peace and War'

Oct. 3: Photos put human face on rights struggles.
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New York

Afghanistan's 'Red Line' for the Taliban

Watch highlights from Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul's talk, including what he thinks of Afghanistan's "Twitter generation."
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'Mythical' Afghanistan-Pakistan Border

Suchitra Vijayan's photos capture bustling human activity at busy port of entry.

Related Video

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Policy
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General John Allen: 'They're Much Better Than the Taliban'

U.S. General John Allen offers an optimistic assessment of Afghanistan's armed forces and, even more so, its young people.
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Policy
 /  New York

General John Allen and Martha Raddatz (Complete)

U.S. General John Allen joins Martha Raddatz of ABC News for a look at Afghanistan's future in general and its security situation in particular.
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Policy
 /  Texas

Marc Grossman: Resolving Conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan (Complete)

The U.S. special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan presents a detailed analysis of his work in the region.
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For Afghans, Education Means Empowered Youth

Ahmad Shuja emphasizes the importance of empowerment and education for the younger generation of Afghans.
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Taking Responsibility for Afghanistan's Future

Asia Society Afghanistan 21 Young Leader Ameen Habibi is hopeful for the future of Afghanistan because of its young people.
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Challenges and Prospects for Afghanistan's Future

Asia Society Afghanistan 21 Young Leader Salma Alokozai cites some of the challenges and prospects facing young Afghans after 2014.
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For Young Afghans, Hope Amid Uncertainty

Freshta Karim argues that despite an uncertain security scenario looming after 2014, the gains of the past 12 years still give young Afghans hope.
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National Unity and Patriotism in Afghanistan

Sadiq Amini lays out four challenges for Afghan youth today, such as the older generation's lack of confidence in their leadership abilities.
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Afghan Youth Are the Present, Not Just the Future

Mohammad Shafiq Hamdam underlines the importance of young Afghans to the country's present, not just its future.
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New York

New Ideas and Open Doors in Afghanistan

Asia Society Afghanistan 21 Young Leader Jamil Danish outlines the differing outlooks among three generations of today's Afghans.
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Policy
 /  New York

Afghanistan: A Mother, a Daughter, and a Friend

The co-founder and President of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA), describes some of the mother-daughter relationships she has encountered among her students.
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Policy
 /  New York

The Fight for Women's Rights in Afghanistan (Complete)

Shabana Basij-Rasikh, Severine Caluwaerts and Gülden Türköz-Cosslett assess prospects for the empowerment of women in Afghanistan.
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Asia Society established AYLI to help nurture a community of next generation Afghan leaders. Learn more