Bestselling author, Emmy-winning journalist, recovering political advisor. Formerly @UN, @CrisisGroup etc.
Joined February 2010
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Graeme Smith retweeted
Amazing animated globe by @tulparmaps. Have a look at the poorer regions. Lots of progress was achieved in the last 30 years!
Graeme Smith retweeted
In the years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the country has practically vanished from American foreign policy discussion. On a new episode of “The Foreign Affairs Interview,” Laurel Miller and @smithkabul discuss the state of Afghanistan today:
foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/…
Graeme Smith retweeted
Listen to the latest episode of “The Foreign Affairs Interview,” featuring Laurel Miller and @smithkabul in conversation with editor @dankurtzphelan:
foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/…
Graeme Smith retweeted
The international campaign aimed at convincing the Taliban to relax their stringent controls on women’s lives has so far proven a resounding failure. But when it comes to women’s ability to work in Afghanistan, there is a chink of light. crisisgroup.org/asia-pacific…
Graeme Smith retweeted
Trachtenberg drops the big one:
2) Articles from the issue include:
“The Rules-Based International Order: A Historical Analysis,” by Marc Trachtenberg
doi.org/10.1162/ISEC.a.11
This article is ungated thanks to @mitpress.
Graeme Smith retweeted
Countries imposing sanctions on Afghanistan should rethink why those penalties are inflicted and offer ways of ending economic punishment. crisisgroup.org/asia-pacific…
Graeme Smith retweeted
There are reports that #Afghanistan and #Pakistan have agreed to ceasefire for 48 hours. This is a good step, if true. It provides a window for diplomacy.
Graeme Smith retweeted
NEW REPORT | After the Aid Axe: Charting a Path to Self-Reliance in Afghanistan
Donors are slashing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan which could push millions into penury and increase the risks of instability. A new approach is needed.
crisisgroup.org/asia-pacific…
Graeme Smith retweeted
zenml.io/blog/llmops-in-prod… here's the link to the blog with all the LLMOps case study summaries
Graeme Smith retweeted
I wrote about the Biden administration's efforts to sanction Israeli settlers for @TCFdotorg. The program had some real successes, but in other ways, it backfired. 🧵1/5 tcf.org/content/commentary/T…
Graeme Smith retweeted
Not to miss MONDAY 5/19 12PM
What We Chose Not to See: @AdamNoahWho @QuincyInst talks w/ Pulitzer Prize Winner @mattaikins about how US created own conditions for failure in Afghanistan War. LINK below:
Graeme Smith retweeted
“The Taliban are saying, ‘bring it on.’ They don’t want Pakistan to have leverage over them,” says @smithkabul.
But the returnees were “walking into a real humanitarian disaster and an economy that cannot grow fast enough” | on.ft.com/3FJBEZ7 via @humza_jilani
Graeme Smith retweeted
When a currency crunch led to falling imports of car parts from China, Iranian automakers stumbled upon an unexpected solution.
They started trading nuts for bolts.
I unpack the latest example of the (sometimes wacky) ways Iran adapts to sanctions:
bourseandbazaar.org/articles…
Graeme Smith retweeted
The Trump administration has terminated more than 5,300 grants & contracts managed by USAID worth over $27 billion, according to a document obtained by POLITICO
The document also shows that nearly 900 programs worth about $8.3 billion have been retained
politico.com/news/2025/03/26…
Graeme Smith retweeted
5 quotations by Mahatma Gandhi that all aid workers should currently consider:
"Whatever you do for me, but without me, you do against me."
"Service without humility is selfishness and egotism."
"If you want to change the world, start with yourself."
(1/2)
Graeme Smith retweeted
Are the relations between the Taliban and the U.S. tactical or strategic?
With the insights of @OmSamad @zalandfaizm @smithkabul
bbc.com/persian/articles/c0l…
Graeme Smith retweeted
@assemmayar1 looks into how climate-induced shocks ripple across #Afghanistan’s interconnect economy, deepening social vulnerabilities like rural poverty. #ClimateChange #ClimateJustice bit.ly/4iSWNOB
Graeme Smith retweeted
A Nowroz (Afghan New Year day 1404) surprise #Kabul visit.
While awaiting news /commentary from the U.S. side as well, this exploratory/purposeful meeting taking place in Kabul between an American team led by Adam Boehler @aboehler U.S. presidential envoy for hostage affairs & Zalmay Khalizad @realZalmayMK U.S. former special envoy for Afghanistan, and the de facto Taliban caretaker govt team led by FM A. K. Muttaqi is a first overt contact taking place inside #Afghanistan since Aug. 2021. It points to:
1. Prioritization of hostages release by the @realDonaldTrump admin. Will it lead to a quid pro quo?
2. Testing the waters to see if other issues of bilateral interest can be part of an agenda for future talks.
3. A test of political will to either restart the deflated 2021 Doha contacts, reformat current @UN-led Doha process or initiate a new process with a new agenda/strategy.
Regardless, this meeting is happening at a time when:
1. part of the region around #Afghanistan is facing a myriad of challenges
2. counter-terrorism threats still need addressing
3. the Afghan economy/livelihoods are hurting +40M population as aid dwindles+sanctions bite
4. countries are pursuing recalibrated /redefined strategic/foreign policy interests.
2025 is unlike 2021. Happy Nowroz 🌱.
Graeme Smith retweeted
🚨New piece from @delaneysimon @jeromedrev & me on UN sanctions on HTS
We breakdown the procedure & politics around the sanctions, arguing that the UNSC should move immediately to expand humanitarian exemptions & consider starting the delisting process
crisisgroup.org/middle-east-…
Graeme Smith retweeted
“The stars are better aligned at this point in time”.
My colleague @BerkayMANDIRACI explains why he is cautiously optimistic about the chances of ending the PKK conflict with Ankara.
Listen to @crisisgroup podcast (time code '23:30):
crisisgroup.org/ar/node/2545…