Mubarak Ali Baloch
Afghanistan has been in throes for the last about a couple of decades. A country which was used as bulwark against the expansionist desire of then USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republic) has witnessed internecine battles fought amongst the erstwhile Jehadi factions giving birth to Taliban militia who subsequently became accomplice of Al-Qaeda, a phenomenon anathema to USA after it allegedly staged 9/11. USA took up the cudgel brought down Taliban government and broke the back of Al-Qaeda. USA and NATO deployed their ground forces with air cover to decimate Taliban. The latter could not be decimated but battle weary NATO forces subsequently withdrew leaving behind a strength of American troops to train Afghan army and police. Taliban’s resilience is proving insurmountable for both Americans and Afghan authority. With peace process in doldrums Taliban militia have been hitting Afghan forces hither-thither even in Kabul; the heavily fortified city. Infact peace process got badly stuck up with murder of Taliban Ameer Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. Afghan authorities’ partisanship and being used as pawn at the hands of one country against another have further spoiled the prospects of peace.
Amid this unsettling situation now initiative for peace is coming from Russia being seconded by China, Pakistan, Iran and few other likeminded countries. Earlier Moscow bolstered its stature ever since it achieved military success in Alepo (Syria) for Syrian President Bashar ul Asad. Russia, Turkey and Iran are in the same grid on Syrian situation. Russia has now started its overtures for peace in Afghanistan. A number of meetings have already been held in Moscow and the next meeting is scheduled in April this year in which Afghanistan is also invited. China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Taliban representatives are schedule to attend the peace parleys.
Russia’s interest is naturally to ensure its influence in its backyard in the former states of USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) so that NATO is kept at bay with Taliban stabilizing themselves in Afghanistan and promising of not transferring their ideology to commonwealth of Independent countries (CIC) goes in favour of Russia. China seems to be ready to consent Russian influence to the extent its trade and commercial stakes in region are safe. Iran has fears with regard to Daish/ ISIS presence in Afghanistan which might have spill-over effect into Iran. Thus Taliban are seen by Iran as lesser evil than Daish or ISIS. Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence and is desirous for permanent peace in Afghanistan. Permanent peace in Afghanistan would suck back the Afghan refugees, a large strength of them is living in Pakistan. Despite sincere efforts from Russian side American leadership is not happy over the small developments leading to possible ultimate solution to Afghan imbroglio at the hands of Russia. Afghanistan being under virtual suzerainty of America does not hold its independent opinion about the ongoing developments. India being well-entrenched in Afghanistan is to pursue its strategic interests including creating a security situation for its arch-rival Pakistan. Indian efforts are aimed to develop rapport with certain anti-Pakistan so-called Jehadi elements to use those against Pakistan. Its primary aim is to divert attention from Occupied Kashmir and to keep Pakistan engaged in its own trough.
It is a war again but this is of variant interests of the stakeholders. America versus China and Russia phenomenon is understandable. Peace in Afghanistan is to remain elusive and the false hope for peace would linger long. There are neither chances of American forces withdrawal nor Talibans whole-heart agreement to go with peace talks. The mishmash of stakes of the stakeholders is the reality. Peace can be possible if the flexibility is shown. Otherwise, the stakeholders would keep on sitting and argue for peace till the cows come home but peace will not return to war-torn country.
