The contemporary socio-political scenario in Afghanistan and the future of affairs seem to be going through a very foggy atmosphere. Nothing seems to be getting clear and evident. The ambiguities are casting a very dark shadow that is incapacitating the vision to see the destination. The deadline for withdrawal is getting closer with each passing day and the issues do not seem to be getting solved.

The negotiations with Taliban in Qatar that is being led by US do not seem to be producing tangible outcomes and Afghan security arrangements are not mature enough to guarantee security and if the security arrangements fail in the country, it would not take long that all the efforts that have been made to make Afghanistan prosper may be undone.

In an effort to remove some of the ambiguities regarding the future of Afghanistan and the strategic pact between Afghanistan and US, US Senate delegation led by Senator John McCain met President Hamid Karzai at Presidential palace a couple of days ago.

The meeting was held to discuss the long-term agreement between US and Afghanistan that is expected to continue assistance from US after 2014 when US troops are going to withdraw from the country. The strategic agreement between both the countries has been facing some hindrance as there has not been complete willingness on both sides.

President Karzai has been demanding that NATO must stop the night-raids. President's meeting with the Loya Jirga last year also demanded the same. Though there have been concerns that the Loya Jirga does not qualify to be true representative of the Afghan people, yet President has been considering the outcome of his meeting with Loya Jirga very important. He mentioned in the meeting that the strategic agreement with US will be carried out on the basis of the conditions set by the Jirga.

US, on the other hand, has been striving to reach to certain conclusions before withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan completely. A certain level of haste has been displayed by US in this regard. It earnestly wants to reach to an agreement with Taliban and decide a strategic deal with Afghan government.

The US Senate delegation that met President Karzai hoped that the strategic deal will be finalized before the Chicago Conference. It also showed optimism about the state of affairs in Afghanistan and the training of Afghan security forces. However, too much optimism in this regard is not justified at all.
President Hamid Karzai met with the US Senate delegation led by Senator John McCain.

At this meeting held at the Presidential palace, both sides discussed the long-term cooperation of the US with Afghanistan and the training of the Afghan security forces.
The US Senate delegation expressed pleasure over the progress achieved in training of the Afghan security forces and hoped that talks on the Afghan-US strategic cooperation treaty reach a conclusion and be signed prior to the Chicago conference.

The situation of peace and tranquility in Afghanistan and withdrawal of international troops are important matters regarding the future of Afghanistan. Though the entire peace and tranquility can not be thought of being based on the international troops yet it would be of great importance for Afghanistan's future strategy for security if it is confirmed that when and how international forces withdraw from the country.

On the other hand it has its own disadvantages. Afghanistan's capacity has not been mature yet to guarantee security of entire country; it would need support, assistance and equipment from the international community at least for another decade.

Afghan security forces both in quality and quantity do not suffice to shoulder the security responsibilities on their own with security threats rising with each passing day. US, earlier, announced that US troops would be withdrawn completely from Afghanistan till 2014; however, that announcement has been controversial since its very pronouncement. Moreover, there have been indications every now and then that there may be changes in the schedule.

The strategic agreement between US and Afghanistan that would decide the schedule for sure is expected to be announced soon. It would, to a large extent, decide the future developments regarding the security concerns.

However, it would be better if a strict schedule is not maintained regarding troops withdrawal; rather it should be made more conditional. The objective conditions must decide the completion of withdrawal. If the security situation in the coming few years improve, it would be better to take the withdrawal process to a decisive end; if not it must be postponed for sometimes later. Yes, it is a fact that an indefinite schedule may create ambiguities but they will surely fulfill the overgrowing necessities of time and would be able to face the challenges appropriately.

From the statements mentioned above and from the situation in Iraq it appears that US may stick to its plans of withdrawing the troops, but strict adherence in that regard may prove non-beneficial for Afghanistan. Though it would be inappropriate to compare the situation in Iraq with the one in Afghanistan as the objective conditions in both the countries differ to a large extent; however, it would not be inappropriate to mention that a vacuum of power in the country that should lead it to stability can result in disorder.

Therefore, it would be better to say that US government must not decide the withdrawal on the basis of what it has promised with the world, which would definitely help it have a political leverage as well; rather it must decide everything on the basis of objective conditions.

Yes, it is also a fact that there are many who are tired of the weary war in Afghanistan – the people of America and the American lawmakers, the people of Afghanistan and its government, the neighboring countries (as they are very much critical of US presence in Afghanistan and fear the permanent US bases) and the last but not the least the World Economy, all seem in a hurry to find a substitute to this war, yet it can not be left the way it is.

It is really important that this war must be led to a decisive end and the outcomes must be visible. US cannot end this war by concluding a deal with Taliban; neither any logic proving urgency in this regard may stand true. Now that war is there, it must be accepted as a fact and must be concluded. Leaving it undecided may give rise to further disturbances and wars in the region, which has never been the objective of war against terrorism.