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Pictures from Afghanistan - Are We Making the Same Mistakes?

Gresham College via YouTube

Overview

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Explore a comprehensive legal and humanitarian analysis of Afghanistan through the lens of human rights advocate Clive Stafford Smith, who challenges Western narratives based on his six recent visits to the country. Examine the parallels between Afghanistan and other prolonged conflicts, questioning whether engagement proves more effective than boycotts in supporting the comparative liberal majority that comprises 80% of Afghanistan's population and leadership. Delve into the economic impact of sanctions and frozen assets on ordinary Afghans, while investigating legal pathways for reuniting abducted children with their families and supporting women's rights through dialogue rather than isolation. Learn from historical precedents including Vietnam to understand post-conflict dynamics, and discover practical solutions focusing on healthcare investment, education, and cultural preservation rather than military intervention. Analyze the effectiveness of supporting Afghanistan's liberal majority through sport, tourism, and educational initiatives, while examining how individual rights and the rule of law can be fostered through human contact and legal advocacy. Draw from Stafford Smith's extensive experience defending over 400 people facing execution, securing the release of 85 Guantánamo detainees, and his ongoing work on capital cases to understand how legal principles can create positive change in complex geopolitical situations.

Syllabus

// Why Afghanistan? Challenging Western Narratives
// Engagement Over Boycott: Lessons from Guantanamo
// 45 Years of War: From Empire to America’s Longest Conflict
// After the U.S. Withdrawal: Safety, Sanctions & Reality on the Ground
// Vietnam’s Lesson: What Happens After You Lose a War
// Women’s Rights & Dialogue: Can Change Come Through Engagement?
// Sanctions, Frozen Billions & Afghanistan’s Economic Struggle
// Abducted Children & A Legal Path to Reunification
// Aid Instead of War: Healthcare, Investment & Practical Solutions
// Museums, Tourism & Remembering History
// Sport, Education & Supporting Afghanistan’s Liberal Majority
// Final Legal Lesson: Human Contact, Rights & The Rule of Law

Taught by

Gresham College

Reviews

3.0 rating, based on 1 Class Central review

Start your review of Pictures from Afghanistan - Are We Making the Same Mistakes?

  • Profile image for TAYAMI1
    TAYAMI1
    The political of Afghanistan is complicated . If we truly help each other by communicating and telling value and interest us human we will have peace or decrease war at least. Human is a good creatures .

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