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 and recent programs.
2025
Young South Asian Initiative (YSALI) Workshops in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
YSALI Workshop in Dhaka, BangladeshYSALI Workshop in Colombo, Sri Lanka
2024
Launch of Young South Asian Initiative
2023
Launch of Afghan Refugee School Impact Course
2022
Speaking of Nebraska: Ukrainian, Afghan Refugees Coming to Nebraska2021
Access the Experts: Sher Jan Ahmadzai
Access the Experts: Hanif Sufizada
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
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
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
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/
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/effect-coronavirus-afghan-economy-157441
https://www.facebook.com/voapashto/videos/583756182556055/
2019
SMA White Paper, "Negotiated Settlement in Afghanistan: Elements of a Grand Bargain"
2018
pcnw.org/calendar/lecture-beb-reynol/
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)
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
Atlantic Council (September, 7 2016)
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.