On the eve of the official opening of the 12th Herat Security Dialogue, the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies hosted a welcome reception in the heart of Madrid, Spain. This evening provided an opportunity for policymakers, experts, and those engaged in Afghanistan’s security discourse to reconnect ahead of the official start of the conference sessions. Participants, in an informal setting, had the chance to exchange initial thoughts and expand their professional networks. This pre-event was not only a prelude to the security and political discussions within the official framework of the conference but also a platform for fostering new engagements in the fields of politics, security, and diplomacy.

The Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies will host guests from around the world over the next two days (24-25 February). The conference will address the persistence of terrorist threats in Afghanistan, the role of diplomacy and sanctions, the future of women in the political sphere, the place of religion in governance, and the international community’s responsibility in tackling Afghanistan’s humanitarian and security crisis.