Вступительное слово | Сэр Лори Бристоу

Sir Laurie Bristow delivers the opening keynote address at the fifth Cambridge Afghanistan Series (CAS V), held at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, on 4–5 September 2026. 🎙️ SPEAKER • Sir Laurie Bristow, President of Hughes Hall, Cambridge, and former UK Ambassador to Afghanistan Drawing on three decades of diplomatic experience, Sir Laurie reflects on the lessons of international engagement with Afghanistan and the challenge of turning political ideas into credible and achievable action. He argues that the people of Afghanistan must lead decisions about their country’s future. International partners may provide support, but they cannot impose a durable political settlement. He also considers what Cambridge can contribute to this process: expertise, time for sustained thought and an environment in which assumptions can be challenged constructively. The keynote explores: • lessons from the international intervention and the collapse of the political order in 2021 • the need for an honest assessment of conditions inside Afghanistan • translating the Comprehensive Composite Roadmap from ideas into implementation • whether and how the Taliban might form part of a future political process • the effects of an increasingly fractured international environment • the limited political attention and resources currently available for Afghanistan • developing a credible theory of change • political credibility, influence and international support • the immediate humanitarian crisis • the exclusion of girls from secondary education • displacement and forced returns from Pakistan and Iran • building stronger internal and international consensus Sir Laurie concludes that Afghanistan’s challenges are difficult but not insoluble. Progress will require realistic shared visions, credible pathways towards achieving them and a stronger understanding that these questions concern the wider international community as well as the people of Afghanistan. 📺 Watch the previous video: Welcome and Opening Remarks — Part 2    • CAS V 2026 | Welcome and Opening Remarks —...   📺 Watch next: The Comprehensive Composite Roadmap — The Story So Far    • CAS V 2026 | Introduction to the CCR: “The...   ▶️ Watch the complete CAS V 2026 playlist:    • Cambridge Afghanistan Series V (CAS V) 202...   Mosaic Global Foundation Website: https://www.mosaicfoundation.global/ Instagram:   / mosaicglobalfoundation   LinkedIn:   / mosaic-afghanistan   X: https://x.com/MosaicGFdn #CASV #CAS2026 #CambridgeAfghanistanSeries #Afghanistan #SirLaurieBristow #InternationalEngagement #CCR #MosaicGlobalFoundation