Tabish Khan
Seventeen years have passed in fighting against Afghan Taliban by the collation forces in Afghanistan. Nearly 2,400 US soldiers have died. More than $700 billion has been spent. But talk of “winning” the war is scarce. The United States’ longest war doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon. Afghan civilians and security forces are dying in record numbers and more than 600 civilians were killed by NATO or government-aligned forces last year. Casualties among Afghan security forces soared by 35 percent every year since last two years. Afghan casualties are increasing with every passing day as per US government watchdog SIGAR in 2016, total 6,800 soldiers and police person got killed.
Perpetual conflict and lack of opportunity in Afghanistan are driving thousands of Afghan youths to either flee the country or join militant groups; this practice is increasing every year instead of leading towards stability in country. Regional powers such as Iran, Pakistan and Russia are also facing its outcome due to continuous instability in the neighborhood and this trend has direct impact on their economies and related peace and stability, at the cost of American objectives. The US military presence in Afghanistan has also earned the Afghan government enmity of the entire region such as Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Central Asia. Resultantly, some of these countries are supporting their hidden interests. As per prevailing situation, presence of US forces could not bring any positive outcome within Afghanistan nor in the region. Afghan people are of the opinion that this war will end and locals will unite to create a stable country. Therefore, if America’s occupation comes to an end, it means that the problem of two nations (USA and Afghanistan) will end, too. It will also prevent further loss of its manpower and economy and lead in ending America’s longest war in history and decline of America’s prestige globally. America can avoid similar defeat of the former Soviet Union faced not only in Afghanistan, but in the world stage as well. American government is intentionally spreading such news that “Afghanistan’s neighbor fear refugee crisis, if US pulls out”. Such news are spread to provide rationale and legitimize her stay in the eyes of American public and at international level.
President Trump bashing of Pakistan has continued since he launched his South Asia and Afghanistan strategy, despite multiple attempts made by the two governments to fix the cracks in their ties. Recently, a row that began with Trump’s interview to Fox News led to a series of tweets by both the US head of state and PM Khan. President Trump, while talking about the reasons for ending the over a billion dollar annual aid for Pak, said the country didn’t do “a damn thing for US”. However, Pentagon in an attempt to control the damage admitted its special ties with the Pakistan military. Such statements indicate that Trump and the US cabinet, institutions, judiciary, security agencies and the Pentagon are not in consonance and harmony with each other or at least with Trump. It is appreciative that the sense has prevailed this time and the development could help ease tension between Washington and Islamabad .Although historically such exhilarations have remained temporary. Pakistan has also welcomed the US President’s outreach and for understanding that no peace in Afghanistan would be possible without involvement of Pakistan.
