Afghanistan: A tale of political intrigues

Sajjad Ahmad Khan

It was the first week of December 2001 when the US got all steamed up and launched a 'manhunt' in Tora Bora and along the ridges of southwest of Jalalabad for the apprehension of Osama bin Laden - 'Dead or Alive'. The horrifying event of Twin Towers of World Trade Center, New York, eclipsed all other issues under the sun. Terrorism was spotlighted, new jargons were coined to violate international law as first choice. After receiving a point-blank reply from Afghanistan, regarding the handover of Osama bin Laden, the US drove into high dudgeon, swooping on Afghanistan to smoke the enemy out. Since then, thousands of the radicals have been pouring into the neighbouring states, including Pakistan. To get hold of the main suspect of 9/11, the particular stretch of the country was blasted by B-52 bombers, and, resultantly, peace turned as elusive as ever. We must know whether Washington is really on the hunt for the mastermind of 9/11, or Osama is being used as a pretext to achieve its long-term aims in the region. America is no more coy about its game plan in the area, reaching the Central Asian Republics (CARs) has been high on the agenda of Washington. Recent happenings in the region and beyond give substance to the wording of a famous Brazilian journalist, Pepe Escobar, that the globalised world, directly or indirectly, is the age of a 'liquid war'.

Apparently, the CIA's grasp on the situation is limited. It seems that the American war plan will never work out in the state, which has been the locus of snares, turmoil and mayhem. We have to keep in mind that Afghanistan is still a flash point with a complete breakdown in law and order. Unfortunately, President Barack Obama feels compelled to 'stay with the existing course' in Afghanistan. He has been coerced into sending extra troops, assuaging the desires of 'white extremists' holding the reigns of the Pentagon.

Washington has lately tried to tweak its Afghan policy, but in vain. The Pentagon has been neglectful of the fact that only Afghans themselves could rectify the situation. America is an ostrich about the Afghanistan's destitution, which has been the major problem. After suffering the bouts of foreign interventions and decades of internecine warfare, the peace process is dead slow, requiring the international community to show remarkable patience and political acumen.

President Obama wants to fulfill his promises which he has made in his election campaign. So, Obama and co are poised to afresh the confrontation by deploying more soldiers in Afghanistan. The combat strategy would never work in practice, except more bloodshed and escalation of terrorist activities in Pakistan. Similarly, the resurgence of Taliban can not be ruled out even for a quick second. As we know that the Afghan police and NATO forces are the common targets of Taliban attacks. A report issued, by an International Council on Security Development, on December 8, 2008, stating that 75 percent of the area was under the influence of the radical forces. Notwithstanding the eight years extensive war in Afghanistan, the US and its allies have never been able to produce some desirable results, but in Kabul.

We should not hold out much hope of getting peace if the US stays for years. The high-pitched statements of George W. Bush about victory and peace in Afghanistan have proved phony. Even the Americans have started to wonder aloud if they would ever succeed. It will be highly appreciated if the US withdraws its soldiers from the Afghan imbroglio while laying the basis for eternal peace and pure reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. Now it has dawned on the world that there is no easy answer to the problem, except the desired reconciliation. While understanding the goings in Afghanistan, the US high officials are likely to support the rapprochement between the warring factions, besides the 'middle ground arrangement' for the NATO troops to bring peace in the country. No doubt, the US is in a rude awakening when it sees the abrupt changes around the world, forcing it to review its designs in South Asia. It is the high time for the US to dissect its policies with an open mind.

The puppet government of Hamid Karzai never met with any common applause in Afghanistan. He is being dubbed as the 'Babrak Karmal' of the Americans by his opponents. Moreover, his penchant for heaping blames on Pakistan has been the real hindrance in establishing friendly relationship with Pakistan. It is alleged that he has been supporting the Indian propaganda against Pakistan. More than often, he went a step ahead of the Indian hawks, saying that Pakistan had been involved in exporting terrorism.

People, around the region, are keeping their eyes peeled for the elections going to be held on August 20. The desire for fair elections is stronger than ever. Karzai seems to be very enthusiastic, as his election campaign, which has officially started twelve days ago, has been pulling a good crowd.