Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Can Stability be Attained in Afghanistan?

The weary war against terrorism that was launched after the incident of 9/11, brought with itself different sorts of influences and impacts on the lives of people in Afghanistan, South Asian region and U.S. in particular and the world in general. The war, though did much to topple down the Al-Qaida-favoring reign of Taliban and was able to target the mastermind of the incidents of 9/11, it brought with itself a pile of controversies.
Even, bearing a lot of medals on its chest, this war is considered to have proved very much lethal in some other ways. The resources that have been used in this war have not been considered to have hit the bull's eye and the very reason for which the war was started is yet to be achieved even after almost 16 years, when the involved nations of the world seem to be reluctant to continue the war and deciding to drag it towards a conclusion.
The most important pretexts to the war were to put an end to the terrorism in Afghanistan and help it build strong political and economic systems so that it can guarantee its survival on the modern concept of democracy. Both the pretexts are yet to be realized to full extent and the international community led by US seems reluctant to pursue those objectives. Neither the terrorist networks have been eradicated from the region nor the political and economic systems in Afghanistan are standing on strong footings that can be left alone without much attention and support from international community.
The phenomenon of terrorism has the capacity to grow into strong position from where it is today and can really threaten the region and the world as a whole. Further, this phenomenon is no more an issue only in Afghanistan and has been nourishing in the neighboring countries as well.
Meanwhile, the democratization of the political system in Afghanistan is still immature and needs to go a long way before it can reach to a reliable position from where it can start a journey towards real democracy that can penetrate to the grass root level and can deal with the diversity existing in the country. Furthermore, any political agreement with Taliban still remains unattainable and the prospects of peace process do not seem very much optimistic. There are no clear answers to the concerns and ambiguities regarding the untamed corruption in the country that has been paralyzing the governance system and has been hindering the way of the funds and supports from international community to be spent for the welfare and betterment of the common people of Afghanistan. Rather, it has been transferring the money, in some way or the other to those who, directly or indirectly support Taliban and terrorist networks in the country. International community in this regard has shown concerns on various occasions but tangible measures that can really introduce strong system of accountability are yet to be introduced.
The economic system has not reached to the level of independence and largely relies on the support of international community in some way or the other and serious investment and economic activities are yet to achieve confidence because of shaky situation of markets and the law and order situation.
In the meantime, keeping in mind the concerns regarding the capabilities of Afghan security forces and the strengthening terrorist networks it would be a great challenge to maintain peace and tranquility in the country. Moreover, the regional dissatisfaction and ambiguities are also increasing about the war. Afghanistan's neighboring countries do not see eye to eye with the US authorities regarding the war and it prospects.
Though international community, particularly US, has promised that they will be supporting the country till 2020, the economic conditions in the developed nations of the world do not suggest so. They have been going through their own economic and political priorities and objectives.
But, whether the international community is going to keep supporting Afghanistan financially and militarily largely depends on the decision of the US authorities. Currently, US is in a position of uncertainty about the future of their role in Afghanistan and that is a cause of worry for Afghanistan in the ongoing difficult times.
Definitely, the war in Afghanistan has to be ended decisively and that is what the circumstances in Afghanistan and the neighboring countries are demanding. Both the eradication of terrorism and political and economic stability of country have to be made sure before the war is concluded.
Yes, there have been many sacrifices given in this war so far, both in terms of human life and resources, but with a little more effort the outcome of the war can be quite different from what it can turn into if left in the way it is. This war has to be concluded with the victory of peace loving forces against the terror networks, and the sun of tranquility must rise for the people of Afghanistan.