We have entered a new year – 2012 but with painful memories of the last year. 2011 cost Afghanistan lives of innocent people and for the Western countries lives of their faithful soldiers. The preceding year added another dark and bloody chapter to the history of Afghanistan: civilians were brutally killed, severe violation of human rights occurred and fear and terror got more hold on the minds of people.

Targeted killings, abductions, suicide and road side bombings and threats to kill continued during the whole year. At the same time, failures persist in fighting poverty, unemployment, corruption, narcotics, violence against women and bringing about any significant administrative reforms. In general, 2011 remained a deadly year of people of Afghanistan. Many may wonder about what will happen this year. But there is no need of wonder as the 2011 serves a mirror of 2012.

With all the tear and blood shed in Afghanistan last year, some key measures that are pivotal for Afghanistan were taken. Last summer, Afghan security forces were handed security responsibilities of seven areas of Afghanistan under the first phase of security transition from NATO to Afghan army and police.

This speaks of growing potential and capacity of Afghan National Army and Police that reached this position starting from zero. Long term peace and stability of Afghanistan largely depends on a competent army and ANA seems to be on the track.

In December, 2011, the Bonn international conference on Afghanistan was held in Germany where the world re-affirmed its commitments to Afghanistan. Afghanistan will continue to receive international support until 2024. Although the countries and organizations who attended the conference presented no clear packages for post-2014 Afghanistan, concerns over economic downfall were addressed up to a major extent.

In the year 2012, the people of Afghanistan would be critically eyeing the peace and negotiation process with Taliban. Afghans are in favor of ending the war through a political way but no compromise on the constitutional law of Afghanistan will be acceptable to them. Let's be optimist and hope that 2012 will bring an end to the long sufferings of Afghans.