Mark Schneider speaks at Florida State University as part of the Human Rights and National Security in the 21st Century summer lecture series



“The resurgence of the Taliban today (means) they are more capable than they were two years ago,” said Mark Schneider, senior vice president of the International Crisis Group, a nonprofit organization which advises governments on policies to avoid violence. Mark Schneider, Senior Vice President of the International Crisis Group in Washington, was the second Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (El Salvador, 1966–68) to head the agency.

Mark Schneider speaks at Florida State University as part of the Human Rights and National Security in the 21st Century summer lecture series

Peace advocate speaking at FSU warns of crisis in Afghanistan

By Stephen D. Price • Florida Capital Bureau

June 23, 2008

TALLAHASSEE – The United States and the international community are not succeeding in Afghanistan and the Taliban is extending its reach to urban areas, a peace advocate warned today.

“The resurgence of the Taliban today (means) they are more capable than they were two years ago,” said Mark Schneider, senior vice president of the International Crisis Group, a nonprofit organization which advises governments on policies to avoid violence.
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“Unfortunately what that means is we’re not succeeding.”

Schneider spoke at Florida State University as part of the Human Rights and National Security in the 21st Century summer lecture series, which attracted about a 100 people.

The series, put on by the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, examines human rights interests and national security imperatives within the context of the U.S.-led war on terror.

Schneider said there has been a 600 percent increase in suicides since 2005 in Afghanistan and that 8,000 people died there last year.

The only industry thriving in the poverty-stricken country is poppy farming for opium production, Schneider said. And much of that goes undeterred because of widespread corruption, he said.

He said much of the resources needed for Afghanistan are being sent to Iraq.

Vivian Alarcon said she came to the lecture to help her be a more informed voter for the coming presidential election.

“I learned that … the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated and we made a terrible mistake and that’s where we should’ve focused,” said Alarcon, 57.

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