Brookings: Experts - Vanda Felbab-Brown

Shooting Up : Counterinsurgency and the War on Drugs

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Felbab-Brown draws on interviews and fieldwork in some of the world's most dangerous regions to explain how belligerent groups have become involved in drug trafficking and other illicit activities, including kidnapping, extortion, and smuggling.

U.S. Options in Afghanistan and the Karzai Brothers

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hamid Karzai was declared the winner of the presidential vote in Afghanistan on November 2 and he was quickly warned that he must crack down on rampant corruption. Vanda Felbab-Brown joined several other experts to discuss what should be done about President Karzai's brother, Wali Karzai, who has been linked to Afghanistan's narcotics trade.

Narco-belligerents Across the Globe: Lessons from Colombia for Afghanistan?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Increased insecurity in Afghanistan and the sense that the counterinsurgency is not being won have left many looking for comparisons that can shape future policy. Vanda Felbab-Brown examines similarities between the counternarcotics and counterinsurgency efforts in Colombia to draw conclusions on how to reverse recent trends in Afghanistan.

U.S. Counternarcotics Strategy in Afghanistan

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In testimony before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, Vanda Felbab-Brown discussed how narcotics production influences the security, political, and economic developments in Afghanistan. Felbab-Brown also examined the effectiveness of policies to mitigate these effects and offered recommendations for the future of U.S. policy on the issue.

It's All or Nothing in Afghanistan

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the Afghanistan strategy debate continues, Vanda Felbab-Brown says policymakers should not be fooled by options that lie “in the middle” of a beefed-up counterinsurgency mission and a scaled-back counterterrorism operation. Felbab-Brown believes the United States and NATO must decide how important the stakes are, and either properly resource the current mission or cut losses now rather than later.

Transnational Drug Enterprises: Threats to Global Stability and U.S. National Security

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In testimony before the House Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Vanda-Felbab Brown discussed illicit economies, organized crime, and their impact on U.S. and global security. Felbab-Brown concluded by offering recommendations for counternarcotics strategies as well as other measures local and foreign governments can take to address the issues.

Reducing Demand for Poppy Inside and Outside Afghanistan

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Afghanistan's drug economy needs urgent attention, but it also needs a smart policy. Emphasizing rural development and legal livelihoods while interdicting drug traffickers and reducing demand worldwide are the best options, says Vanda Felbab-Brown.

The Obama Administration’s New Counternarcotics Strategy in Afghanistan

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As President Barack Obama considers alternatives to increasing the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Vanda Felbab-Brown argues his administration's new counternarcotics policy represents a courageous break with previous misguided efforts there and thirty years of U.S. counternarcotics policies around the world.

Fending Off Failure in Afghanistan: The Opium Factor

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A recent statement by Gen. Stanley McChrystal calling for a dramatic increase in troops on the ground in Afghanistan has sparked a new nationwide debate over U.S. strategy in the country. Vanda Felbab-Brown contends increased resources will be vital to ensure success in the counterinsurgency operation, and she argues there is a critical link between security, counternarcotics and counterterrorism efforts.

UN Says Afghan Opium Production Down

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

According to a new United Nations report, Opium cultivation is down 22 percent in Afghanistan. Vanda Felbab-Brown joined National Public Radio to discuss why the significance of these numbers should not be overestimated and to offer insight into the new counternarcotics strategy in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's Elections and Accountable Governance

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The August 20 elections in Afghanistan represent a crucial opportunity to give Afghans a sense of at least some control over their future. Vanda Felbab-Brown examines the leading candidates and argues the international community needs to make it clear to the next Afghan president that assistance is conditioned on improved and accountable governance.

A Crucial Election for Afghanistan's Future

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:48:11 GMT

On August 20, Afghanistan holds a presidential election that many observers feel is a critical component of that country's continued fight against Taliban insurgents along a path to stable governance. Vanda Felbab-Brown says the outcome must be seen as legitimate for the future of the country's development and government's legitimacy.

The 2009 Afghanistan Elections and the Future of Governance

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Vanda Felbab-Brown believes the August 20 Afghanistan elections represent a test for at least three critical issues in that country – accountability, military strength and governance. Felbab-Brown argues that ushering in more effective and responsible governance is critical, and she concludes it must be built by Afghan hands rather than forced by international actors.

President Obama in Mexico

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Vanda Felbab-Brown joined Diane Rehm to discuss President Obama's meeting in Guadalajara with leaders of Canada and Mexico on issues of mutual concern including escalating drug violence in Mexico, immigration and the economy.

Target the Drug Lords in Afghanistan, Not the Farmers

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Vanda Felbab-Brown writes that the new U.S. counternarcotics strategy in Afghanistan represents a courageous and welcome shift in American policy. Felbab-Brown believes focusing on legal alternatives for farmers and emphasizing rural development will breed success in reducing illicit economies as well as bolster the larger counterinsurgency operation.

Weak States and Strong Troublemakers

Mon, 25 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Vanda Felbab-Brown discussed the threats posed by strengthening drug cartels in Mexico, weakening central governments in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as transnational security threats to the U.S.

Assessment of the Implementation of the United States Government's Support for Plan Colombia's Illicit Crop Reduction Components

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Vanda Felbab-Brown and several other authors produced a report evaluating Plan Columbia for review by the United States Agency for Development. The study provides an assessment of the success of counternarcotics strategies to date and offers recommendations for the U.S. government to strengthen future efforts.

The Fifth Summit of the Americas: Recommendations for Action

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Leaders of the Western Hemisphere gathered in Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19, 2009 for the fifth Summit of the Americas. In a series of commentary articles focused on the summit's agenda and key challenges, Brookings experts discuss critical economic, social, energy and climate change issues facing the leaders attending the summit and propose recommendations for policy action.

Weak States and the Summit of the Americas

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:09:56 GMT

Vanda Felbab-Brown previews the Summit of the Americas talks opening this week in Trinidad and Tobago and outlines some of the key political, economic and social issues up for discussion, including the role of the United States.

The Violent Drug Market in Mexico and Lessons from Colombia

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Drug-related violence and the breakdown in security in Mexico have escalated to extraordinary levels over the past two years. Vanda Felbab-Brown examines this growing threat to civil society in Mexico, the spillover of crime into the U.S., how the situation compares to similar struggles in Colombia, and offers recommendations for a new strategy in the region.

Drug Wars in Mexico

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Mexico's Attorney General says his country does not need help in its fight against drug cartels. But some including Vanda Felbab-Brown see the increased violence as a national security threat to U.S. Felbab-Brown joined Diane Rehm and guests to discuss drug violence in Mexico and how it is affecting its northern neighbor.

Peacekeepers Among Poppies: Afghanistan, Illicit Economies and Intervention

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Vanda Felbab-Brown analyzes the role that the illicit narcotics economy has played in violent conflict in Afghanistan since the 1990s and the relationship between counter-narcotics and counter-insurgency policy in the country today. Felbab-Brown provides policy recommendations on the security role of peacekeeping forces with respect to illicit economies.

Memo to President-elect Obama: Heeding the Mumbai Wake-up Call

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Growing tensions between India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed countries, threaten to escalate into a direct military confrontation. Vanda Felbab-Brown notes that, especially after the Mumbai attacks, the world is looking to Obama for leadership in reversing dangerous trends and building a security framework in a vital region.

The Implications of the Mumbai Attacks for Afghanistan

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings fellow Vanda Felbab-Brown writes that the bloody terrorist attacks in Mumbai have serious repercussions for NATO efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and defeat the Taliban insurgency. Among other recommendations, Felbab-Brown believes the U.S. and NATO must discourage Afghanistan's political leaders from exploiting regional tensions.

Policy Options in Afghanistan

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Violence in Afghanistan has increased dramatically and now paralyzes much of the country. Vanda Felbab-Brown explores the current options for dealing with the growing crisis and makes recommendations for creating sustainable security.

Military Contractors in Afghanistan

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Vanda Felbab-Brown joined Federal News Radio to discuss the use of private military contractors in Afganistan.

The Poppy Problem

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The expansion of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has set off a scramble among policy-makers for a counternarcotics policy that will reverse the trend. However, Vanda Felbab-Brown argues that “no counternarcotics policy is likely to substantially and durably reduce poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, unless security is greatly improved and stability achieved throughout the country.”

Opium Licensing in Afghanistan: Its Desirability and Feasibility

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Vanda Felbab-Brown discusses the feasibility and desirability of opium licensing in Afghanistan, stating "the licensing of opium for medical purposes in Afghanistan, would reduce some of the negative effects of unmitigated illicit drug production."

Afghanistan's Opium Wars

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Vanda Felbab-Brown, The Wall Street Journal (2/20/07)