Recent articles prepared for publication

Anti-Corruption In the Economic Cooperation Organization
A Confluence of Security, Intelligence and Investigation
By Jeffrey Coonjohn - Senior Policy Advisor UNDP – Afghanistan April 2012

The Shi’a Crescent
There are few men on the globe as well educated and as insightful about the Middle East as the King of Jordan, Abdullah II. It was the King who, in 2004, first described his concept of The Shi’a Crescent. Initially, it was described in terms of geopolitics: that region of the Middle East where the majority of the population is Shi’a. However, as the Persian strategy has unfolded on the world stage, the concept of the Shi’a Crescent must expand to include the whole of the Iranian vision—the Greater Shi’a Crescent.
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Corruption in Post-Conflict Environments
An Iraqi Case Study
By Jeffrey Coonjohn - Senior Policy Advisor UNDP – Afghanistan April 2012

There are few men on the globe as well educated and as insightful about the Middle East as the King of Jordan, Abdullah II. It was the King who, in 2004, first described his concept of The Shi’a Crescent. Initially, it was described in terms of geopolitics: that region of the Middle East where the majority of the population is Shi’a. However, as the Persian strategy has unfolded on the world stage, the concept of the Shi’a Crescent must expand to include the whole of the Iranian vision—the Greater Shi’a Crescent.
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Demagoguery or Diplomacy
The Case for Engaging Moqtada al-Sadr
By Jeffrey Coonjohn - Senior Policy Advisor UNDP – Afghanistan April 2012

The House of Hakim and the House of Sadr have both been long revered among the world’s Shia population. However, there are basic philosophical differences between the two houses that have historically balanced them very well. Simply speaking, the House of Hakim is akin to the Republican Party while the House of Sadr is reminiscent of the Democratic Party. Both of these stalwarts of Iraqi domestic politics are necessary for a stable government. However, for the last six years American foreign policy in Iraq has been directed toward diminishing the power of Moqtada al-Sadr—if not destroying it. This has thrown the balance of power out of kilter and like a top losing momentum; Iraq is wobbling toward an uncertain future.
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Developing a Strategic Implementation Plan for Anti-Corruption
Preparing Afghanistan for Anti-Corruption Reform
By Jeffrey Coonjohn - Senior Policy Advisor UNDP – Afghanistan April 2012 with Dr. Azizallah Lodin

Anti-corruption is a social science in the tradition of psychology, law or criminology. Common sense, good judgment and a keen mind are not enough to successfully engage the battle against corruption. There is a science to combating corruption, just like there is a science to practicing law or being a psychologist. Unfortunately, politicians, commanders and community leaders do not often understand that there is a logical and scientific method to combating corruption. Consequently, anti-corruption programs have been headed by doctors, investigators, and even pilots. Most commonly, leaders will turn to the legal community to engage the battle against corruption (the logic being that corruption is a violation of law). While some of these programs have been successful, a vast majority of them have failed. The primary cause of the failure has been a combination of two factors: a lack of knowledge of the systems and approaches to anti- corruption and lack of political will. In essence, anti-corruption initiatives will be as successful and effective as top government leaders want them to be. However, even where there is a lack of political will, an anti-corruption expert can successfully develop the institutions so that the tools and information are available to future leaders.
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A Primer on Models and Strategies for Anti-Corruption Agencies
Preparing Afghanistan for Anti-Corruption Reform
By Jeffrey Coonjohn

The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) requires that each state party ensure the existence of a body or bodies to prevent corruption and to combat corruption through law enforcement.2 Unfortunately, for developing countries there is no uniform model available for creating such an anti-corruption body. Consequently, there are no right answers— only a measurement of success or failure. Each country must examine what has worked and what has not worked in the panoply of international anti-corruption agencies. Based upon the various models, each country will develop an anti-corruption body which is fitted for its legal, social and political circumstance. There is no “one-size-fits-all” model. A government can imbue one body with all the powers and responsibilities of anti-corruption, including prevention and law enforcement; or it can distribute these powers and responsibilities among several bodies. The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the models used by anti- corruption agencies, propose a simple UNCAC Model for developing countries, and conclude by making specific recommendations for Afghanistan. It is important to note that as a corollary to adopting an anti-corruption model, the country must also select an enforcement strategy. Unlike agency models, which are varied and often unique, enforcement strategies are generally more uniform although they may vary in their implementation.
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Strange Ally in the War on Drugs
By Sean Duffy

On November 17, 2001, Laura Bush made history by delivering the weekly radio address, normally given by the President. Her topic, the horrible mistreatment of women by the Taliban, was well deserving of the attention it received by the first lady.
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A World Without Help Food
Why Should We Care?
By Angela Starks

It’s no passing fad or trendy new health product; the use of hemp as food is an age-old practice that has been rediscovered for its nutritional benefit. For thousands of years, hemp seed has been the most continuously used human—and sometimes animal—food crop around the world. It is also the oldest. The Chinese were eating hemp as far back as 8,000 years ago and early Greek writings speak of its consumption. European monks were once required to eat the seeds in porridge or soups three times a day, and they have long been a staple in Russia where they are ground to make a butter and eaten as gruel. Until the 1950s, mothers of the Sotho tribe in South Africa served ground hemp seeds with either bread or corn meal to children during weaning. Hemp has even saved many populations in time of famine, when few other foods would grow.
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