President Karzai is going to the US tomorrow. He will meet President Obama and other officials to discuss major issues about the Strategic Partnership Agreement and scale of American troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014. Discussion about impunity of the US troops is a contentious issue, which President Karzai has said he is ready to go ahead with, if Washington assures military equipment and sophisticated training for Afghan National Security Forces and guarantees for respect of sovereignty.
The demand for military gear and training of our forces should be emphasized, but the talk of sovereignty is a vague non-issue being made a tool for political bargaining. If they agree on immunity of troops, nothing remains important to relate with sovereignty when already there are agreements about night raids, special operations and control of prisons.
President Karzai should be reminded that the talks on number of troops between President Obama and Noori Al-Maliki broke down and eventually all US forces left Iraq. We will not be surprised if Obama decides the same.
President Karzai should raise issue of establishment and training of an air force capable to support ground forces not only in the traditional insurgency, but other national security threats. According to reports, the US military leadership is not even willing to hand-over the basic equipment like the spying surveillance balloons to Afghan Forces expressing concerns about its operation and sustainability. Without the technological support, mere financial pledges will not be enough for ANSF to keep Taliban from taking the country to instability.
However, the most important issue is number of American troops to remain after 2014. Reports indicate that the Obama Administration wants as low as 3000 troops, while American military commanders have proposed between 9000 to 15000 troops. With the 3000 figure, it is beyond understanding what President Obama wants to do with such a small number which cannot conduct effective special operations or drone attacks against militants. They will entirely cut any training programs for ANSF with 3000 troops remaining.
President Karzai should convey the message about need of at least 15000 to 20000 international troops after 2014 in clear and strong terms. Otherwise, with this irresponsible way of exit, the US and NATO will share responsibility for any future disaster in Afghanistan and threats of terrorism for the world.