Afghanistan Times
Related Articles
The United States as so-called global leader on war against terrorism is clueless on how to end the Afghan war without losing the gains that she had made. She cannot afford abandoning Afghanistan in such a murky and uncertain situation because the fears are high that the Taliban and other militant groups such as Daesh would pose serious threats to the Afghan government. It will also be counted as another blunder in history of the US. The longest war in the US history is going directionless and without definition. Thus, creating challenges for Afghans.
The objectives that the Bush-administration and President Barack Obama outlined had not been achieved. The key objective was elimination of extremist and terrorist groups so Afghans would have a stable democratic government and country. Not only Afghans but other regional players are also looking at some sort of bafflement at the current security developments in the war-hit country. Although, it is crystal-clear that the US has failed to eliminate the insurgent groups but the nerves-wrecking question is that then why the US forces are here when they are not targeting extremism and militancy. Most of the indicators tell that it is just the beginning of another Cold War.
Perhaps, the US wants to have more outposts in this region so she could mobilize its troops quickly. In other words, Afghanistan is just another pawn in this new great game. Washington will not let it to become a headache like Iraq—neither destabilized nor totally independent. Therefore, the US sees growing insurgency in her interest to prevent the Afghan government from rolling out from her domain. Fall of the Kunduz city to the Taliban, control of the key buildings in Sangin district of Helmand by the insurgent group, though, for a brief period, are the indicators that the US had not been actively supporting Afghanistan. Emergence and growth of Daesh or the Islamic State has also raised many eyebrows.
What the current and former US officials are doing at this critical juncture is not enough to heal wounds of Afghans or conceal what is going on behind the curtain. The former deputy assistance secretary of the US Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, David Sedney, said that the Taliban are enjoying safe havens in Pakistan. These militants are regrouped and launch attacks against Afghan security forces and civilians. Now the question is that when the US officials know this then why they are not eliminating these sanctuaries. Why Washington is providing millions of dollars to Pakistan in assistance when the eastern neighbor of Afghanistan is playing double game? Certainly, Pakistan and the US share same interests in the region and same policy. The policy is mostly about “speak gently and do no good”.
