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News and Updates

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  2. Center for Afghanistan and Regional Studies
  3. News

Learn about Center for Afghanistan and Regional Studies happenings and keep up-to-date with developments in Afghanistan.

After its founding in 1972, the Center for Afghanistan Studies (CAS) has been a center of academic research, capacity building, foreign policy development and recommendations, training, and promoting awareness about Afghanistan. With a rich history of diverse projects and partnerships in Afghanistan, the Center has expanded its vision and mission to include countries in the region of Central Asia and South Asia (CASA).

The Center has led higher education development projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, India, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Multiple projects and grants are active across the region. With a broader regional scope reflecting current and future engagements, it was decided to rename the Center as the Center for Afghanistan and Regional Studies (CARS), keeping its legacy of more than 50 years.

The Center for Afghanistan and Regional Studies prides itself on being “UNO’s primary hub for academic capacity development programs, research, and activities on Afghanistan and the region of Central Asia and South Asia, CASA."

Use the links below to read articles or watch videos featuring the perspectives of CARS Team Members.

Spring 2022

Speaking of Nebraska: Ukrainian, Afghan Refugees Coming to Nebraska

Fall 2021

Access the Experts: Sher Jan Ahmadzai

Access the Experts: Hanif Sufizada

Sher Jan Ahmadzai, Director of UNO Center for Afghanistan Studies, speaks prior to the Afghanistan: What Comes Next panel

Afghan government collapses, Taliban seize control: 5 essential reads

Sher Jan Ahmadzai interview with The Conversation

Sher Jan Ahmadzai interview with The Conversation

Sher Jan Ahmadzai interview with KETV

Sher Jan Ahmadzai interview with USA Today

Sher Jan Ahmadzai interview with POLITICO

Sher Jan Ahmadzai interview with The Neighbor

Sher Jan Ahmadzai interview with The Brink

Hanif Sufizada interview with The Conversation

Hanif Sufizada interview with The Conversation

Hanif Sufizada interview with The Conversation

Hanif Sufizada interview with CNN International

Sher Jan Ahmadzai interview with The Neighbor

Sher Jan Ahmadzai interview with The Brink

Fact check: Trump administration officials try to rewrite their own Afghanistan history

The grim reality for single moms in Afghanistan now, and how you can help

Mary Sanchez: From Omaha, Nebraska comes a sharp view of Afghanistan and what went wrong

Los talibanes son megarricos: así obtuvieron dinero para hacer la guerra y regresar al poder en Afganistán

Who are the Taliban now?

'Afghanistan feels abandoned': Afghan refugees reeling as country falls to Taliban

UNO Professor in Omaha has family ties to Afghanistan

Afghan Government Collapses & Taliban on Verge of Controlling Country

San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio)

UNO center trying to extract Afghans with ties to its Kabul office

Thomas Gouttierre interview with KMTV

Sher Jan Ahmadzai interview with KCBS

Fall 2020

Afghanistan's peace process is stalled. Can the Taliban be trusted to hold up their end of the deal?

The Taliban are megarich – here's where they get the money they use to wage war in Afghanistan

The Effect of Coronavirus on the Afghan Economy | The National Interest - The National Interest: Defense, National Security, Politics and More

Afghanistan’s Economy – and Access to Aid – at Stake in Peace Talks – The Diplomat

https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/afghanistans-economy-and-access-to-aid-at-stake-in-peace-talks/

Spring 2020

https://www.eastwest.ngo/sites/default/files/ideas-files/ewi-terrorism-in-afghanistan-joint-threat-assessment.pdf

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/effect-coronavirus-afghan-economy-157441

https://www.facebook.com/voapashto/videos/583756182556055/

Spring 2019

SMA White Paper, "Negotiated Settlement in Afghanistan: Elements of a Grand Bargain"

https://nsiteam.com/negotiated-settlement-in-afghanistan-elements-of-a-grand-bargain/

Spring 2018

pcnw.org/calendar/lecture-beb-reynol/

Fall 2017

https://www.pashtovoa.com/a/afghanistan-water-management/4103457.html

Pashto VOA (Nov. 6, 2017)

https://www.pajhwok.com/en/opinions/water-knowledge-afghanistan-weak-growing-stronger

Pajhwok Afghan News (Oct. 25, 2017)

Spring 2017

Sher Jan Ahmadzai: U.S. must not abandon Afghanistan | Opinion | omaha.com

http://www.voanews.com/a/trump-administration-reaffirms-afghan-mission/3715114.html

English VOA (Feb. 9, 2017)

Fall 2016

A discussion at the Atlantic Council: The Hamouns of Helmand and water crises in Iran and Afghanistan border areas
Atlantic Council (September, 7 2016)

Pashto: Drought in Sistan-Baluchistan province of Iran and the transboundary water conflict between Afghanistan and Iran
Pashto VOA (September, 18 2016)

Afghan forces lose ground to Taliban despite delayed U.S. troop withdrawal
The Guardian (July, 29 2016)

Summer 2016

With $2.2 Million Grant, UNO to Help Two Afghan Colleges Develop Programs in Communications Studies
Omaha World-Herald (June 2016)

UNO's Center for Afghanistan Studies Receives $2.2 Million Grant
KIOS (July 2016)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_xoXYgrguqk
Mazar, Afghanistan interview with Dr. Chris Allen (May 2016)

Spring & Summer 2013

Building Resource Corridors in Afghanistan: A Solution to an Interminable War?
EARTH magazine (September 2013)

When the Eggheads Went to War: Human Terrain System in Afghanistan
The Daily Beast from Newsweek (8-16-2013)

Trip to Pakistan eye-opening
Omaha World-Herald (8-4-2013)

UNO Key in Preparing Military, Civilians for Afghanistan
WOWT Channel 6 News

Interview with Tom Gouttierre, Father of Afghan Basketball
The Zone KOZN 1620 AM (7-25-2013)

Meet the father of Afghan basketball
Omaha World-Herald (7-24-2013)

The Wizard of Kabul
Sports Illustrated (7-22-2013)

RC West's Untold Economic Success Story
ISAF Release by Melissa Skorka, Immersion Seminar Graduate

Pakistan welcomes visit by UNO team
Omaha World-Herald (7-5-2013)

Pakistan should help Afghanistan establish irrigation system
The News International (6-28-2013)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks at UNO
KETV Channel 7 (6-19-2013)

Amid the strife of Afghanistan, UNO prof in Kabul sees ray of hope
Omaha World-Herald (5-9-2013)

Sher Jan Ahmadzai and Thomas Gouttierre: Don’t let Pakistan marginalize Afghan government
CNN/Fareed Zakaria GPS (4-4-2013)

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)

Fall 2012

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)


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)


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)


What History Can Teach Us about Contemporary Afghanistan

Education About Asia (Fall 2012)


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

Omaha World-Herald (8-26-2012)

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.

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