ABDULLAH MUSTAFVI
It is rightly pointed out by an Afghan that Peace is more difficult than war! It seems more relevant once a number of rounds of discussions with US officials ,aimed at bringing an end to the 18 year-long conflict, could not prove fruitful yet.
The much talked about agreement was seemingly brought to an abrupt and unexpected end by US President Donald Trump, at final moments. President Trump, at that time, questioned the Taliban’s commitment to peace after they launched an attack that killed 12 people, including an American soldier, as initial details of the proposals were being released.Taliban officials felt surprised by the decision, countering that US forces had also been carrying out attacks as talks had been going on. Some welcomed the move, warning that President Trump’s repeatedly stated desire to cut costs and bring the roughly 13,000 US troops home risked handing Afghanistan back to the Taliban – leaving stranded those who had struggled to improve women’s rights, create a free press, and build a nascent democracy.Nine former US ambassadors to Afghanistan wrote a statement warning of the risk of “total civil war” if troops were withdrawn before a final peace deal.
Others warned that a rare opportunity to help bring an end to the violence was being missed.Former senior US diplomat Robin Raphel was one of a small number of figures who played a crucial role in facilitating the start of the discussions, and opined that it was a “terrible mistake” not to sign the deal. Sane minds believed the US could have avoided years of conflict by talking to the Taliban shortly after overthrowing them in 2001. As a usual practice, the talks resumed and continue intermitantly. Both sides seem to acknowledge that a negotiated settlement is the only solution to ending the war, but what exactly that will look like is still the focus of dialogues.Afghan government officials have been pressing for some form of ceasefire to be included in a revised deal, as a “trust-building exercise” designed to prove the Taliban retain control of their fighters on the ground.
One proposal understood to have been made by the US is some form of a ceasefire for a 10-day period around the signing of an agreement with the Taliban, which could then also set a positive tone for the start of separate talks between the group and other Afghan political figures. Despite contradictory claims, neither the proposal nor the Taliban’s authentic reaction to it have been public.There have been suggestions that an agreement is imminent, but such predictions have been proved wrong in past.
Meanwhile, the bloodshed continues. According to the United Nations, approximately more than 3000 civilians were killed during past year. This eventually means no end to the public sufferings irrespective of the fact that who wins or loses the extra long war. Nevertheless, the fact the two warring parties continue to sit across the table from each other is, in the wider context of America’s longest war, something of an achievement. While Taliban claim to have control over a significant portion of territory ,apparently they have not been able to seize and hold any urban centre. Neither side looks capable of an outright military victory and they both appear to know it. Concern has been expressed that US troops might be withdrawn even without a deal in place. American officials have said the number of troops could be reduced by around 5,000 without affecting operational capabilities, but such moves are not easy to implement on ground. Recent presidential election , as expected, has given birth to deeper and larger controversies .
Low polling ratio and strong objections of losing candidates have made the whole exercise of election a dubious package . Despite being active about Afghan dialogue, USA seems meaningfully hesitant in finalizing any sort of peace deal . It should be understood in Washington that by holding years long dialogue sessions with Afghan Taliban , USA had already recognized them as a stake holder in Afghanistan . This act sufficiently stripped the already weaker Afghan government from credibility and authenticity. This act fetched lot of shame and disrespect for USA as well which carries enough baggage, of such like retreats , from the past. Critics drew resemblance between Afghan situation and Vietnam blunders of USA. Despite all such criticism and vague posturing of Washington , it is hard to say with conviction that USA has lost the war in Afghanistan .
It is a fact that real American objectives of this prolonged war are not yet clear . Afghanistan is facing a greater unrest ! All neighboring countries are facing the consequences especially the Pakistan which is in a state of complex fix due to puzzling Afghan factor. One should not forget that USA is still maintaining its hold over Afghanistan and surroundings , by hook or by crook. Apparently, most of the regional peace probabilities depend upon the behavior or attitude of USA. Pakistan , while supporting peace efforts, should not loose sight of such fundamental realities.
