Afghanistan- Afghanistan Transition: The Death of Bin Laden and Local Dynamics (May 2011) - Afghanistan Transition and Kabul University: Winning Minds, Losing Hearts (May 2011) Human Capital- Policy Lab on Entrepreneurship – Abu Dhabi Public Health- Drug Prevention, Treatment and Harm Reduction: Scaling-up of Red Cross-Red Crescent Best Practices Afghanistan Report  Countering The Insurgency In Afghanistan:Losing Friends And Making Enemies (February 2007)
With a rapid rise in violent insurgency, southern Afghanistan is at tipping point, and the international community’s counter-insurgency strategy is in urgent need of reassessment. The general Afghan population is feeling increasingly alienated from and hostile to the international community. The practice of counter-insurgency in Afghanistan has so far predominantly focused on military instruments to fight against the insurgency. By doing this, it has wrongfully left out all the non-military elements that form part of counter-insurgency strategy – for example, humanitarian aid, economic development, establishing health care and developing the education system. What Afghans in the south see instead in their daily lives are the military bombing campaigns, where bombs do not distinguish between innocent civilians and insurgents. What is required is a frank reassessment of the realities of the current insurgency dynamic, the declining credibility of the international community and an acknowledgement of the legitimate grievances of the Afghan people. If properly applied, the non-military elements of classic counter-insurgency practice would immediately improve security and create more support for the Karzai government.  
ICOS has developed an innovative Policy Labs methodology that uses participative techniques to bring together representatives of relevant social groups to identify their shared challenges and find solutions to them. Policy Labs consist of phases of scientific research, data processing, and dynamic group meetings bringing together relevant stakeholders. Through these different phases, a tailored and feasible action plan for the defined area is developed by the Policy Lab participants. 
The ICOS Security and Citizenship programme combines innovative research and policy analysis to promote pragmatic responses to today's most pressing social challenges. 
The Global Food Security Initiative portal has the aim of offering a "one stop shop" for information on food security around the world. This is achieved through the management and organisation of information regarding food security policy and related issues comprehensively in one place. 
The Rome Consensus for a Humanitarian Drug Policy is a framework for dialogue and cooperation that commits 121 National Societies of Red Cross and Red Crescent from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe to promote and implement humanitarian approaches to drug policy. |
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