| Type : | Academic Article |
| Title : | The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: A Partner for Stabilising Afghanistan? |
| Source : | Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies, Australian Defence College |
| Date Added: | 6-Nov-2009 |
| Publication Date : | 5-Nov-2009 |
| URL : | http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/CDSS_ShangaiCooperation_ PartnershipStabilisingAfghanistan.pdf |
| Abstract : | In efforts to bring stability and security to Afghanistan, the international community of states may have overlooked a critical ally; the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. This paper argues that the Organisation should be considered a partner in the international stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan, and proposes that Australia is well-placed to be the facilitator for such a venture. On 27 March 2009 the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) met in Moscow to hold a Special Conference on Afghanistan. This conference injected China, Russia and four Central Asian republics into the international dialogue over Afghanistan, establishing the SCO as an increasingly important stakeholder in the security and stability of Afghanistan. Yet, at a time when Canberra was considering its future military commitment to Afghanistan, few Australians noticed this important event. This paper will address the SCO’s potential as a partner to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in stabilizing Afghanistan. It will contend that by leading SCO in such a partnership, China will further its position in the region and achieve recognition as a responsible stakeholder in the global community. The paper will propose that Australia, as a non‐NATO nation, is well positioned to facilitate NATOSCO security cooperation in Central Asia. |
| Topics : | International and Regional Organizations Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking |
| Regions : | Americas > North America > United States Asia-Pacific > Central Asia > Afghanistan Asia-Pacific > Northeast Asia > China Europe > Central and Eastern Europe > Russia |
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies, Australian Defence College | The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: A Partner for Stabilising Afghanistan?
