Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

The Way Ahead!

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The Way Ahead!

After more than ten years of wars and presence of thousands of NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, the situation has become infinitely more complicated. The recent unrest and demonstrations in the country renewed doubts about the success of the exit strategy in 2014. The future of this war-ravaged and ungoverned country rests upon the planned exit strategy and negotiations with Taliban and other stake holders. The international community and Afghan government have lost their way. Furthermore, there is no vision and strategy for the future.

Growing mistrust between Afghan security personnel and their NATO counterparts erupted in a series of violent demonstrations and agitations last month. The killing of 17 innocent Afghan, men, women and children in village Panjwai, Qandahar by US soldier, Robert Baleson on March 11, 2012 and burning of copies of the Holy Quran at a US base in Bagram on February 21, 2012 triggered the violent and fierce reaction of the people. In demonstrations and agitations, more than 30 Afghans and six US soldiers were killed. The situation created even more compelling and serious efforts for a political solution.

The solution in which the Afghans, the neighbors and the international players should be on board and strive for a compromise settlement and keep the interests of Afghanistan in forefront. The only way out is a negotiated settlement with all stake holders to achieve the 2014 deadline of winding up of the operations in Afghanistan.

The path to a meaningful and purposeful peace process is full of difficulties. But that must be overcome with greater responsibility and urgency because the ground realities in Afghanistan and in this region are dangerously out of control with 2014 deadline. It will be a testing time for US and NATO allies in the upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago in May 2012 to decide whether they can draw up a credible and workable strategy to accomplish 2014 transition or not. Whatever the final outcome of the Summit might be, the transition plan must be practical and should ensure a degree of sustainable Afghan Stability.

The US-Afghan strategic partnership is an important decision for both the countries. US wants long term military presence comprising Special Forces and advisers with access to several bases in Afghanistan. On the other hand, the present government under the leadership of President Karzai wants US military to halt night raids and handover all detention centers on Afghan soil to Afghan government. The latter demand of handover of detention centers has been reached a conclusion but night raids remain the issue.

The strategic partnership with US is a crucially important issue for Afghanistan. The Afghan Government should not sign the strategic partnership at this juncture of time. The Karzia government should convince United States of America for a permanent and long term support not bases. Accepting US bases in Afghanistan is something which is against the nature of Afghans. The Afghans are against such idea in which the foreign soldiers remain in their country and act as masters. The foreigners should be friends not masters.

The idea of permanent bases is also against the interests of the regional states. Pakistan, Iran, Central Asian, Russia and China will not welcome this idea. Therefore, the US and Afghan government should keep in mind the interests of all stakeholders and then sign Strategic Partnership or else the location and geography of Afghanistan is such that long wars can be fought.

For a peaceful, stable and democratic Afghanistan the role and interest of the regional powers are of great significance. The future of Afghanistan demands the cooperation and agreement of international players with regional centers of powers. In the last 20 years, Afghanistan has become the battle ground for regional and international rivalries and proxy wars. The notorious international and regional agencies are playing with Afghan blood. They are following their own vested interests and agendas, not that of Afghanistan.

Unfortunately, the Afghan leadership has been exploiting the situation of the country. They have been filling their foreign accounts with the money which these agencies have provided to them. The affected people are again the Afghans themselves, irrespective of whether they are Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks or others. The Afghans are dying in suicide bombing, night raids operations, road side bombing and friendly firing. Our marriages and funerals are not safe. The future of this great people is not safe.

The people of Afghanistan need permanent peace, stability and progress. The young generations of Afghanistan need job and education. The ordinary Afghans are striving for bread and butter; it is the reality of lives for millions of Afghans. It is a bitter fact that poverty and unemployment lie at the heart of many social problems which Afghans are facing. The anger and frustration have been building long in the Afghan society, which have left negative impact on psyche of the people.

Afghanistan needs a fresh start. Secret talks and negotiation with one group or another is not the solution. In late 80's and early 90's, it was the secret talks and agreements which dragged Afghanistan into a bloody civil war. In the civil wars of 90s, Afghans lost all the pride which they had achieved in the war against the USSR.

The present day Afghanistan needs a fresh start under the UN asepses in which all stakeholders must be involved. The withdrawal and takeover of responsibility be finalized. The role of neighbors should be confined; furthermore an international guarantee should be taken from the neighbors of not interfering in internal affairs of Afghanistan and it must be supported wholeheartedly in all aspects of life.

The Afghan government must be purified from corrupt officials. Young, energetic and patriotic Afghans should be brought to important posts. Right post should be given to the right person. Afghans should be given the confidence that they can rule their country without masters.  

A hope and confidence should be given to the ordinary Afghans, a hope of peace, stability and progress for a better Afghanistan….…If there is a will, there is a way!

AHMAD NOOR “BAHEIGE” holds Ph.D in International Relations. He is the Editor Afghanistan World Security Network Foundation. He can be reached at ahmadnoor_75@yahoo.com

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