Acknowledgments
The idea for this thesis appeared during an intense period of my deployment in Afghanistan as a UN electoral officer, for the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections 2004 and 2005. A number of Afghan men and women are present in this text, with their warmth, dignity, and impressive will to live, free from bitterness and self-pity. My first thanks therefore are due to my former colleagues and friends from the Logar Province, Kabul Region: mullah Qazi Sultan Fahim and Haji Abdul Rahman. Also, warm thanks to the Afghan team of the Southeast Region and the Peter Erben electoral team.
Special gratitude to Trevor Martin, Head of the UNAMA Central Field Office, for his wise and sophisticated understanding of Afghan politics; and to Geoff Hourn, former UNOPS Regional Manager, for his continuous support and friendship. Sincere appreciation to my CEU mentor, Professor Aida Hozic, for her invaluable guidance through the areas of international relations and political science.
This text does not express the opinion of any of the aforementioned individuals, or organizations.
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