Elite Capture of Kabul Bank

Abstract

Afghanistan is entering the most critical period since the overthrow of Taliban back in 2001. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has announced withdrawal of international forces by 2014, and a sharp reduction is expected in funding for development programmes and support for the Government of Afghanistan (GOA). This has led to increasing fear of renewed internal fighting, and major uncertainty if there will be an orderly shift of presidential power as President Karzai’s term should end in April 2014 (International Crisis Group, 2012). There are increasing concerns over the high level of corruption and the large amounts of cash being brought abroad as the Afghan elite prepare to secure their financial future.