4th March, in live television program, three somehow leading Presidential election candidates participated where they encountered with serious questions from participants. They were no one other than Zalmai Rasoul, the former Minister to foreign Affairs Ministry, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah also the ex-foreign minister and Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, a diplomat and academician. Though the program did not head to controversial way and all three candidates somehow kept avoiding direct attacks against one another. Instead they tried best to indirectly criticize political background of one another and highlight their own programs. But there was one common issue that each of them strongly criticized: the failure of government and lack of framework for domestic and foreign policies. As Abdullah Abdullah told that the foreign policy should be changed from reactionary activities into an innovative and straight forward, long term strategies.

Interestingly, all of them have been part of the system, indeed, in key positions, having huge authority to play vital role in shaping the policies of government. Nobody asked them what they did when they were foreign ministers and had authority to design and develop long-term foreign policies on the bases of which officials should align their positions. Is there any miracle the presidential seat when they lounge will automatically design new policies and put an end to miseries of Afghans, the thing in which the government of President Karzai failed? If they point finger towards the present government, they unintentionally point fingers towards themselves. I do not think that it is necessary or realistic that President Karzai design and develop long-term foreign policies. It is what respected ministers should do and present to President for further exploration.

If these gentlemen did nothing except increasing the number of friends and relatives in the Ministry, does not it look stupid to expect that they will change once they taste the sugary presidential seat? So, I hope Afghans while going to polling stations should vote on account of candidates’ profile not on account of what they say now. Chanting slogans is so easy but putting needs man. The Emarat-e-Islami of Taliban was also fighting for an Islamic Ommah and government of God on the earth but what finally it rendered was complete hell and utter barbarity. Part of the programs of candidates that they proudly voiced out from TV channels already exists in ministries but they are not implemented by the same respected candidates.

Anyhow, one key thing that Mr. Zalmai Rasoul pointed out was lack of Zero Military Option in Washington. He said that he believed US wouldn’t withdraw completely. Indeed his certainty is shared by President Karzai too.  President Karzai and some of his consultants, who indeed do not feel bad if the international community pulls entirely out of the country due to ethnic and communal mindset, assume those statements as bluff. They think that international community have spent billions of dollars and lost thousands of soldiers and civilians.

Based on this concept, the huge investment as well as sacrifice of international community is made due to national interests of each country. They are not here to support Afghans because on account of humanity or humanitarian feelings. If they had such feelings they could resolve our chronic miseries and mounted pressure on countries which seek their benefits in damage of Afghanistan. Right after the withdrawal of USSR, the international community forgot about Afghanistan despite knowing about detrimental dangers of civil war. As result of tens of thousands of people were killed and millions became refugees to different countries around the world, particularly neighboring countries under very eyes of international community. But no one budged because they had nothing to lose in the tragic civil war.

But the ground reality is completely different. Washington officials believe that the US has already had done too much for Afghans. The Afghanistan war imposed billions of dollars on public budget which should otherwise be spent for economic growth inside the country. Unlike officials’ concept, the US does not look forward for making huge investment on natural resources of Afghanistan. The share of American companies in ignorable in biddings made during recent years. Indian, Chinese and some neighboring countries outrun United States in economic sphere.

Additionally, the support of Afghanistan war is in all time low among Americans. The public debt has increased tremendously which still hinders the economic recovery. The Bush time surplus does not exist anymore. Every year, amount is added to current public debt, the phenomenon that many economists warn about possible dangerous consequences. All these factors discourage Washington to persist for deeper engagement in the country that they have not much benefits.

Moreover, Washington clearly displayed that it cannot pay much for keeping soldiers in other countries. Iraq is a good example. It has far more strategic location than Afghanistan is the third country with the largest natural resources that play highly important role economic and political calculation. Indeed, it was the increase of Iraq oil the international community imposed deadly sanctions on Iran’s oil without injecting any chaos to global energy market. Meanwhile the US easily pulled out of the country when Baghdad did not agree to bestow legal impunity to American soldiers.

Therefore, President Karzai and his consultants, particularly Zalmai Rasoul if he wins the election, should understand that zero option is not a bluff but a reality. And if it happens, it would put the country into utter disaster because the complete withdrawal will also put an end to international donations which provide majority of public budget.