October 6, 2013
The final panel before the closing open discussion at this year’s Herat Security Dialogue II, 5-6 October 2013, hosted by the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) in Herat, Afghanistan, focused on arguably one of the most important issues in the region: Iran-Afghanistan-USA cooperation. Mr. Mujahid Kakar, head of TOLOnews, chaired the panel consisting of representatives from each country, respectively, Dr. Fahimeh Robiolle, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Noor, and Dr. Ellen Laipson.
Dr. Laipson, president of the Stimson Center, Washington D.C., discussed her positive outlook on relationships between the US and Iran. She said developing the Afghan state would play a major role in the relationship. Although in the past the US-Iran relationship has been strained and negatively affected US allies, she is hopeful that the two countries will improve cooperation. Dr. Robiolle, a university lecturer at Tehran/Paris University, discussed the role of new Iranian president Dr. Hassan Rouhani. His position will open more doors for Iran, Robiolle said, because he has better awareness, communication, and understanding about the Iran-Afghanistan issue. She also noted that an Afghan-US strategic partnership would also only have good effects for Iran. Afghan ambassador to Iran, H.E. Dr. Noor, agreed with his panelists. He added that Afghanistan is a good place for Iran and the US to come together for further cooperation discussions, especially when tensions between the two countries have been very high. Overall, in order to ensure security in the region, especially as the 2014 withdrawal date approaches, Iran-Afghanistan-US cooperation must occur.