Wali Ahmed
USA has almost entered into a new phase of the Afghan war under the president ship of Donald Trump , there were admired expectations of certain changes in executing the war strategy to fight the opposing forces in Afghanistan. However, those expectations remained mirage, as there was no significant change in the already applied approaches. Although, the expected review of the Afghan war strategy by the US administration has not impressed or surprised the most of the regional and extra regional countries , as most of its contents were already speculated, however, its comprehensive cum practical implementation and its impact on different dimension of war strategy is yet to be witnessed in Afghanistan. Different combination of strategies were previously adopted by US administration to control and achieve the desired results in Afghanistan, however, those strategies were abruptly implemented.
Besides, after every change of strategy , the new one was having altogether different changes; without augmenting the previous strategies of defeating Afghan Taliban and conquering the hearts and mind of the common Afghans. Hence, the half hearted and incomplete strategies were proven insufficient to control the inconsolable peril in Afghanistan. While navigating upon the flaws in US strategies, a past error of premature withdrawal without adequately preparing Afghan forces was internationally observed, it is probably the said approach which led to the further deterioration of Afghan security situation.
Afghanistan’s internal issues which certainly attracted the attention of different foreign and donor countries; duly depicted in every major report regarding its financial, political, diplomatic and security aspects, pointed towards its deterioration and further decay, which nearly identified Afghanistan as a major threat for the peace and stability of the region as a well as the civilized world. Hence, the current internal security situation is shaping up the true face of Afghanistan, which needs due attention for rectification by the Afghan government. The internal security threats are stemming from the lack of readiness of the various Afghan security apparatus, lack of transparency and merit based induction in military recruitments, political influences in security forces, lack of competent and innovative leadership in Afghan internal and external security apparatus. Beside, drifting away from the decision based on safeguarding the national interests rather than looking after the interests of few influential personalities and their affiliated countries. Like India is a major influence on the Afghan government, at times it is felt that Afghanistan is some far-flung state of India. Experts are of the opinion that among some possible measures to rectify these issues; could include the provision to Afghan forces with stronger combat support, enhancing the scope of train and assist mission, increased air combat power along with enhanced support in order to evolve the Afghan Air Force , provision of sufficient air support needed by Afghan forces on ground and offering conditional military aid that could be linked to visible reform efforts.
Currently, the US seems committed to enhancing certain military efforts in Afghanistan, induction of US equipment into Afghan forces would likely to cater for enhanced air combat capacity. However, the successes and challenges to the developing US military strategies for Afghanistan are yet to be seen. Likewise, the success of simultaneously pushing for stern civil reforms are also to be seen. Ultimately the US successes in Afghanistan would be largely measured by how effectively it can stabilize various internal crises, devise largely agreed upon political solutions and devise strategies for genuine economic growth, while ensuring its core interests are retained but, this area of Afghan rehabilitation process would also require immense patience , and application of careful analysed strategies based on local social realities by the US.
There is a dire need that all the stakeholders in Afghanistan converge on working together for the peace and prosperity not only in Afghanistan but beyond . Regional countries well understand the interlinked regional stability, thus practical steps would be needed towards the positive role for improving the Afghan socio-economic conditions.
Pakistan always played a positive role in shaping up the future of Afghanistan. But unfortunately, the Afghan government did not adopt her indigenous polices. keeping this prevailing scenario, the earlier endeavors of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani towards diplomatic strategy of aligning closely with Pakistan and maintaining a balanced approach while dealing with its neighbours; was in the best interest of Afghanistan and regional countries.
However, due to the internal political and bureaucratic oppositions duly influenced by India, President Ashraf Ghani was subjected to undue pressure, even by the fragile Afghan Unity Government partners; to stop advancing towards Pakistan and adopt an India centric policy, which is totally against the sovereignty and stability of Pakistan and Afghanistan too. President Ghani’s foreign policy evolution from an Indian axis to a friendly Pakistan to bring peace was unprecedented, but very soon, it was made controversial for regaining the old fashioned, stagnant and failed policies, leading nowhere; but destruction of Afghanistan.
The current positivism in enhancing the bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, needs to be maintained by both the governments, as confrontation is not a solution to any problem, rather it aggravates it further. Let’s hope that the President Ashraf Ghani hinted visit to Pakistan, would break the ice, and Afghanistan would adopt the policy of maintaining peace and prosperity in the region.
